This year’s headliner is Nicki Minaj
After the success of previous years, the Algarve is once again hosting an enormous celebration of African music and culture.
For the fourth time, Portimão is welcoming the international festival Afro Nation, an event that brings joy, lively music and vibrant colours to the south of Portugal, between June 26 and 28.
Last year, more than 40,000 people descended on Praia da Rocha, giving the local economy a welcome boost, and this summer is expected to be no different.
The event, considered the biggest Afrobeats festival in the world, will no doubt see the return of festivalgoers who attended in previous years and praised the choice of location.
The two stages set up on the sand, with a stunning sea view as a backdrop, reflect exactly what the festival aims to provide: a memorable experience, good weather, and great music vibes.
The setting couldn’t be better, and the excitement is already building up, with revellers hoping for some sunny days, dips in the ocean, cocktails on the terrace and lively evenings dancing the night away to the hottest Afro beats.
“Standing as the only festival of its kind, reliably delivering an unforgettable cultural celebration of dance, fashion, food, and music on the Algarve’s Blue Flag beaches, this experience is consistently touted as not to be missed as thousands flock back year on year,” stated the organisation.
This year’s headliner is Nicki Minaj, a Trinidadian singer based in the United States, known for her ferocity and humour, with a particular rap style. She holds this position after Chris Brown in 2022, and 50 Cent in 2023.
While it’s not easy to live up to other editions that have brought names like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Aya Nakamura, and Davido, this year it’s the turn of French rapper Ninho and British rapper J Hus to take the stage and delight the fans.
Returning are Nigerians Rema and Asake, who have previously seen crowds dancing to their music and applauding their performances in Portimão. Also in the spotlight is the popular Congolese singer-songwriter Fally Ipupa who “is set to bring his irresistible Francophone sounds and undeniable charm to the stacked mainstage bill”, shared the organisation.
Shallipopi, Nigeria’s hottest new star and the voice behind the tracks ‘Elon Musk’ and ‘Cast’ ft. Odumodublvck, will also make this an unforgettable edition.
Also performing on the main stage will be Omah Lay, Flavour, Tyla, and The Composers, while the Piano People Stage will feature performances by Tman Xpress, Brooke Bailey, Mellow & Sleazy, Focalistic, Vigro Deep and Sfarzo Rtee, among many others.
The 2019 and 2022 editions were notable and positively recognized around the world. In 2023, Afro Nation Portugal marked its first sell-out year, as the festival saw over 40,000 attendees travel from 140 countries. In 2020 and 2021, the event didn’t take place because of restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
There are still remaining Golden, VIP and General Admission Tickets available via afronation.com
By BEATRIZ MAIO
