Reason: Some sections need to be revised for more detail.
Afrofuturism is a cultural and philosophical aesthetic that examines the relationship between the African diaspora and scientific and technological themes. It uses technoculture and speculative fiction to address issues relevant to the African diaspora. This framework manifests across various media, with creators exploring potential black futures informed by Afro-diasporic experiences. While science fiction is a primary mode of expression, Afrofuturism also incorporates elements of fantasy, alternate history, magic realism, and music.
The term originated with cultural critic Mark Dery in 1993. Discussions led by Alondra Nelson in the late-1990s expanded on the concept. Afrofuturism is defined as the convergence of imagination, technology, future perspectives, and liberation, according to writer Ytasha L. Womack. Curator Ingrid LaFleur describes it as a method for envisioning future possibilities through a black cultural lens. Bennett Capers' work, as summarized by Kathy Brown, characterizes Afrofuturism as a practice that acknowledges both historical and future-oriented perspectives, addressing a difficult past and present while focusing on future prosperity. The genre is described as adaptable, integrating technology, African culture, and other influences.
Examples of Afrofuturistic works include the novels of Samuel R. Delany and Octavia Butler, the visual art of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Angelbert Metoyer, the photography of Renée Cox, the music of Sun Ra and his Arkestra, the narratives of Parliament-Funkadelic, the performances of Earth, Wind and Fire, the collaborations of Herbie Hancock, and the work of The Jonzun Crew, Warp 9, Deltron 3030, Kool Keith, and the character Black Panther.
Music[]
Afrofuturism - Sun Ra, Uhura, George Clinton, Jimi Hendrix, and Missy Elliott
Afrofuturist music is said to have its roots in the late 1950s thanks to jazz musician Herman Poole Blount (better known as Sun Ra), and continued the tradition with funk musician George Clinton, legendary rock star Jimi Hendrix, rapper Missy Elliot, and even modern artists like Janelle Monáe, Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Busta Rhymes, Outkast (especially Andre 3000), and even Beyoncé to a lesser extent exhibit elements of the Afrofuturist aesthetics and philosophy. It is here that Afrofuturism is probably best known to the layperson in terms of its offering, considering many artists in the Afrofuturist school have become musical legends.
Visual[]
OutKast - B.O.B. (Official Music Video)
This music video contains elements of Afrofuturism in its aesthetics.
The Afrofuturist aesthetic takes common science fiction elements and mixes in African traditions and fashion with it; the best-known example of Afrofuturism is Black Panther (which has, indeed, led to Afrofuturism entering into mainstream discussion and is noteworthy for having a predominantly black cast and crew).
Possibly the earliest visual work of Afrofuturism is actually none other than the legendary science fiction series Star Trek thanks to the character of Nyota Uhura (played by Nichelle Nichols), the communications officer of the USS Enterprise. A popular story told about Star Trek is Nichelle Nichols being encouraged by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to stay on the show because of how important her role on the show was to portraying a more positive future for the African American community at the time, saying:
"For the first time on television, we [people of African descent] will be seen as we should be seen every day, as intelligent, quality, beautiful people who can sing and dance, yes, but who can go into space, who can be lawyers and teachers, who can be professors — who are in this day, yet you don't see it on television until now."
When she told this to series creator Gene Roddenberry, he replied simply with "Finally, someone gets it." Other visual works of Afrofuturism include the Blade trilogy, Space is the Place (starring Sun Ra), and A Wrinkle in Time, as well as the paintings of artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Angelbert Metoyer, Sheeba Maya, Manzel Bowman, and Mshindo Kuumba.
Fashion[]
Afrofuturist fashion draws very heavily upon traditional African prints and colors and adapts them to more modern and fashion-forward clothing styles to create a distinctly African identity.
In the 1970s, American soul and funk artists adopted a quasi-futuristic, androgynous style similar to British Glam Rock but often with heavier metallic fabrics and accessories. (Artists like James Brown, George Clinton, and Sly and the Family Stone are key examples of this.) In the 80s, artists like Grace Jones and Afrika Bambaataa furthered this aesthetic in their own distinctly creative ways.
While some Afrofuturists can draw explicitly from their particular tribal history for their fashion aesthetics, others (who may not be as well-versed in their national and tribal history; a common occurrence in African Americans due to the vast majority having their ancestors forced over to the States via the slave trade) are sort of left to their own devices and try to get the best approximation of their cultural heritage that they can be based on the traits of the different African tribes, which can lead to some absolutely breathtaking fashion that could, very well, be the future of fashion. One particular piece of advice for creating one's own Afrofuturist fashion is "Listen to your spirit".
Literature[]
There are many examples of Afrofuturist fiction out there; the works of Octavia Butler have long been associated (albeit controversially) with the Afrofuturist movement, but many point to the Ralph Ellison novel Invisible Man, released in 1952, as being the earliest example of Afrofuturist fiction. Many works from W.E.B. Du Bois, Charles W. Chesnutt, and George S. Schuyler are often cited as works of Afrofuturism.
Perhaps the most famous example of it in writing, again, goes back to Black Panther in Marvel Comics, where the fictional nation of Wakanda (the home of the titular hero) was depicted as being the most technologically-advanced nation in the world thanks to the country lying on top of vast quantities of Vibranium (an incredibly valuable metal in the Marvel universe) thanks to a meteorite crashing into the area in the distant past.
Other comic books and characters of importance include Blade (whose style is now admittedly more influenced by Trad Goth culture) and Cyborg of The New Teen Titans.
Media[]
Music[]
Artists[]
- Blaque
- Busta Rhymes
- DJ Jigüe
- Digable Planets
- Dopplereffekt
- Drexciya
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Flying Lotus
- Grace Jones
- Iniko
- Jamila Woods
- Janelle Monáe
- Kelela
- Ken Ishii
- Kodwo Eshun
- Lee "Scratch" Perry
- Lil Nas X
- Missy Elliot
- Moor Mother
- Outkast
- Parliament
- Parliament-Funkadelic
- Rauw Alejandro
- SZA
- Shabazz Palaces
- Sudan Archives
- Sun Ra
- Sun Ra Arkestra
- TLC
- Tierra Whack
- Travis Scott
- Ytasha Womack
Movies[]
- A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
- Black Panther (2018)
- See You Yesterday (2019)
- Black Is King (2020)
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
TV Shows[]
- Homeboys in Outer Space (1996-1997)
- Black Lightning (2018-2021)
- Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (2023-present)
- Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023-present)
- My Dad the Bounty Hunter (2023-present)
- Supa Team 4 (2023-present)
- Iwájú (2024)
Games[]
- The Journey Down trilogy
Playlists[]
The Sound of Afrofuturism by The Sounds of Spotify
Resources[]
External links to help get a better understanding of this aesthetic.
Pinterest Boards[]
Gallery[]
