Banjee Boombox: A Hip Hop 50 Celebration Featuring LGBTQIA+ Performing Artists Comes to Governors Island

Prepare to embark on an extraordinary and uplifting musical journey as Banjee Boombox, an unapologetic celebration of Queer BIPOC artistry, comes to Governors Island on Saturday, August 5, 2023. Produced by the talented DJ LiKWUiD and DJ Mary Mac in collaboration with ArtCrawl Harlem, this open-air event will be held at ArtCrawl Harlem’s Art House, located at 406B Colonels Row.

Headlining the event is the sensational Queens native, Dai Burger, who will grace the stage with an electrifying performance. Joining the lineup are BET’s B-Boy Blues Bry’Nt, a captivating talent, and OUTMUSIC award winner Baron Artist, whose artistry is bound to leave a lasting impact.

Banjee Boombox is not just a music festival; it is an immersive experience that brings together live performances, talented DJs, vibrant vendors, and a showcase of remarkable art exhibits and installations. ArtCrawl Harlem has curated a collection of works by women and QTBIPOC visual artists, including DaQuane Cherry, Courtney Minor, Martryce Roach, Theda Sandiford, and Williams Daniels. This thoughtful curation by ArtCrawl Harlem’s Executive Director, Ulysses Williams, reflects the creativity, resilience, and diversity of the artists.

“As we celebrate the vibrant spirit of Banjee Boombox, we also honor the birthday of the influential James Baldwin. Baldwin’s legacy of embracing one’s authentic self and fighting for social justice deeply resonates with the essence of this event. Through the thoughtful curation of works by women and QTBIPOC visual artists, we strive to embody the same creativity, resilience, and diversity that Baldwin championed. Banjee Boombox is more than just a music festival; it is an immersive experience that empowers artists and celebrates the power of art to create meaningful connections and ignite positive change.” – Ulysses Williams, Executive Director of ArtCrawl Harlem.

This open-air event is designed to be family-friendly, and all are welcome to join and embrace the spirit of acceptance and inclusivity. Banjee Boombox encourages attendees to “come as you are ” and fully immerse themselves in a day filled with extraordinary music and captivating art. It is a celebration of the contributions LGBTQAI+ artists have made to hip hop culture since its inception.

As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of hip hop, Banjee Boombox pays homage to legendary artists such as Mykki Blanco, Angel Haze, Cakes da killa, Siya, and Nikcy Da B, among others. By amplifying the voices of womxn, femme, and queer-identified artists, the festival creates a safe space that is “for us, by us.”

Banjee Boombox is made possible through the generous support of sponsors including AfroCROWD, The Harlem Connection (WBAI), HarlemCLX, Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Chong’s Laboratory, Ten to One Rum and Dyke Beer. Their commitment to uplifting diverse voices and promoting cultural unity is commendable.

Governors Island is easily accessible via ferry, and attendees are encouraged to visit www.govisland.org/ferry for schedules, tickets, and additional information.

For further details and updates on Banjee Boombox, please visit www.artcrawlharlem.org.

ABOUT BANJEE BOOMBOX

Banjee Boombox is a dynamic event celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip hop and highlighting the artistry of Queer BIPOC individuals. Produced by DJ LiKWUiD and DJ Mary Mac in collaboration with ArtCrawl Harlem, the event showcases live performances, DJs, vendors, and a curated collection of visual art exhibits. Banjee Boombox aims to create an inclusive and empowering space for the voices of womxn, femme, and queer-identified artists within hip hop culture.

BANJEE BOOMBOX PERFORMERS

DJ LiKWUiD is an award-winning hip hop fusion artivist, DJ, songwriter, music supervisor and educator.  As an avid lover of the African American diaspora of music, LiKWUiD’s style of djing is based around blending beats together as one tapestry of sound.  Her signature “traphrobeats” genre bending style, blends house music, hip hop and afrobeats- three of her loves representing her Gullah ancestry, Harlem influence and southern upbringing. She is a Cultural Ambassador to the United States and Voting Member of the Recording Academy.   

LiKWUiD has performed nationally and internationally for organizations such as  the US Embassy, Google NextGen, Sony Music, Photoville, Summer Stage, Doku.Tech, The Apollo Theater, Time Out Market and more.  As a songwriter, her film credits include placements with HBO Latino Films, IFC Films, Oxygen Network, MTV and several indie projects. 

DJ MARY MAC was introduced to the art of turntables and mixing by her older brother while he practiced daily in the basement of their family’s Rosedale, Queens, home. Barely a teen yet intrigued by the techniques of that era’s many notable DJs, Mary worked diligently to perfect her skills. With a combination of natural talent, passion, and influences from her Haitian background, Mary Mac quickly became a highly sought-after DJ.

Since 2013, she has been Madonna’s resident DJ, rocking out as the headlining DJ for her Oscar after-party and the opening act on her Rebel Heart Tour. She also deejayed for Prince, Stevie Wonder, and Ashton Kutcher’s SXSW after-party. Today, she is the resident DJ for Mona Scott-Young of Monami Entertainment, Out of Tune, Mayor Bill DeBlasio, and Salesforce. 

DAI BURGER‘s performing career began while working as a backup dancer on tour with Lil Mama.  Since that time she has appeared in several music videos, including Beyoncé’s “Party”,and has worked as a stylist for designer Patricia Field’s clothing boutique. She had also toured with Chris Brown and Soulja Boy as a backup dancer.Her “In Ya’ Mouf” mixtape was released via Complex Magazine in January 2014. Featuring production by Shane Augustus and Mighty Mark, the mixtape was well received because of Baldwin’s clever lyricism and confident representation of girl power.  The video for the single “Soufflé” premiered in Interview magazine and was picked as one of the best feminist music videos of 2013. The release was featured on Solange Knowles’ Saint-Heron and contributed to Burger being named “Artist to Watch” by Rolling Stone magazine in April 2014.

Bry’Nt began his solo career with the release of his controversial mixtapes ‘Porn Star’ and ‘Porn Star II: The Director’s Cut.’ He’s had the privilege to perform nationally and internationally opening for artists such as Big Freedia, Fantasia, Lil’ Kim, Teairra Mari, Tweet, Dawn Richard, RuPaul, Sevyn Streeter, and Young M.A. Although Bry’Nt has also been hard at work in fashion and film as a model and actor (starring off-Broadway in B-Boy Blues, B-Boy Blues: The Movie, and the digital series drama Ghosts of Fort Greene), it is his efforts in music that have put the Glaad Award nominee at the forefront of an underground movement known as ‘Out Hip-Hop’ consisting of open LGBTQ+ artists.

Bry’Nt grew an early interest in music growing up in Hartford, CT. and from this interest grew a passion. He and a couple of friends started a rap group called 3rd Degree. Although he was extremely expressive with his music, Bry’Nt was not comfortable with his sexuality at this point in his life. His sexuality remained a secret from his family, his friends, his group, and most importantly, his mother. It was at age 15 that Bry’Nt came to accept his sexuality, and this is where his music took a turn. Feeling that the images of the LGBTQ+ community in Hip-Hop music were diminished, he ventured into being a pillar of the community amongst his rap peers. With that, he felt he needed to make music that was more ‘rainbow-friendly,’ (a pun he developed to describe his style of music). Bry’Nt feels that a rapper’s sexuality shouldn’t define them, or isolate them.

BARON ARTIST, an electro/hip-hop recording artist, has crafted a powerful and mesmerizing sound on his debut release Celebrity. He draws from the best of 80’s rock, 90’s hip hop, and electronica to create a meaningful blend in songs like “Feel Like Fashion”, “Robin Hood” and “Birds” featuring Nhojj for an unforgettable listening experience. On Baron’s sophomore EP, RadioHeart, he elevated his craft to explore dance while still staying true to his hip hop roots. AfroPunk commended the timelessness of this effort by accomplishing “the almost impossible by seeming “retro” without conjuring a specific time or genre. It’s a grab-bag of electro sounds from the past.”