Sauti Sol, King Kaka and Eddy Kenzo to play Madaraka Festival in the US

Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo as well as Kenya’s Sauti Sol and King Kaka will join diaspora artists Draze, DJ Blaq and Simon Okelo, among others, on the line-up.

The festival tour, which will end on 26 May, is scheduled to visit New York, Atlanta, Dallas and Seattle.

Launched in 2014 by One Vibe Media, Madaraka Festival seeks to deepen the relationship between African and African American communities, and foster partnerships with other global communities while shifting narratives and honouring cultural dynamics.

The performances are curated to empower cultural diversity and inclusion across the African diaspora in Seattle and across the US.

The 2022 edition of festival was held in Seattle and was attended by more than 10 000 people, with some 18 million viewers reached digitally. It was headlined by Nigerian Afrobeats star D'Banj.

One Vibe Media says part of the proceeds from the festival will go to One Vibe Africa, Mama Hope and the Refugee Artisan Initiative.

In 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival raised seed capital for 106 women in three Kenyan slums who run small-scale businesses.

Madaraka Festival 2023 venues and dates:

• New York, Irving Plaza, 16 May.
• Atlanta, Buckhead Theatre, 21 May.
• Dallas, House of Blues, 24 May.
• Seattle, Benaroya Hall, 26 May.

Tickets can be purchased here.