AFRAM: Busta Rhymes, Big Daddy Kane to headline fest

Busta Rhymes is headlining AFRAM 2024 again, but this time, the Grammy award-winning artist will be performing in person.

As the coronavirus pandemic raged in 2021, the rap star was part of a virtual all-star lineup for the festival as Baltimore City began to bring back some events in hybrid form.

Those days are over, and last year, about 200,000 people attended AFRAM, which is set to return to Druid Hill Park on June 22 to 23, the weekend following Juneteenth celebrations.

Joining Busta Rhymes at the top of the entertainment lineup will be rapper Big Daddy Kane, funk band The Time and R&B singer Mýa.

“AFRAM is the premiere summer event in Baltimore,” Mayor Brandon Scott said Thursday at a news conference announcing the headliners, calling the festival “the East Coast’s largest tribute to Black history and culture, and it all happens right here.”

AFRAM will also feature gospel vocalist Karen Clark Sheard, Grammy-nominated R&B star October London and singer Alex Isley.

Scott said AFRAM will have a special tribute honoring 40 years of house music with performances by Crystal Waters and DJs Thommy Davis and Teddy Douglas of Basement Boys.

“We know we have a full, full lineup and there may be more to come,” Scott said Thursday. “This lineup is full of talented artists who I know put on great shows and we’re confident they’re gonna keep Baltimore turned all the way up, all weekend long.”

The event celebrating the African American community began almost 50 years ago and has since grown into a two-day festival with top-name performing artists, hundreds of vendors and a showcase of community organizations. The festival is free and takes place noon to 9 p.m. Applications are open now for vendors and community talent.