Sarkodie, Erykah Badu, T-Pain to play Black Star Line Fest in Accra

The show will also witness performances by Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa, who was involved in the creation of the event. Nigerian-American hip hop act Tobe Nwigwe has also been confirmed for the programme.

Expected to draw some 38 000 music lovers to Black Star Square in Accra, the Black Star Line Festival was first announced in July as a celebration of pan-Africanism, forming part of the rappers’ efforts to deepen ties between the black diaspora and Africa. Tickets are available for free here.

The festival is named after Jamaican political activist Marcus Garvey’s global shipping company Black Star Line, established in 1919 to link North America, the Caribbean and Africa and to facilitate African-American migration to Liberia.

“The Black Star Line was a symbol of pride not only for Africans but also for black people in all ports of call,” a statement by the festival organisers reads. “After nearly 40 years, the Ghanaian government launched their fleet with the same name, in homage to Garvey, and even added a black star to the country’s new flag.”

“Ghana has something to say to the world, and I’ve been welcomed into Ghana in the last couple of years,” Vic Mensa said.

“Since 1957, Ghana has been a support system and stronghold for Black liberation globally,” Chance the Rapper added. “This year Accra became a second home to me, and my Ghanaian friends have become my family. We’re incredibly humbled and honoured to build something from the ground up that creates community and memories for Black people of the diaspora and continent for years to come.”

Meanwhile, organisers say the festival will be heralded by free educational and cultural programming across Accra.