The Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage, a renowned free outdoor performing arts festival in New York, hosted an electrifying Afrobeats showcase on August 14, 2022, at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield. Originally set to feature Patoranking, Flavour N’abania, Juls, and Superhero DJ Jon Quick, the event faced a last-minute change when Patoranking was unable to perform due to unforeseen circumstances, as announced by the City Parks Foundation. Despite this, Flavour headlined the show, delivering a memorable performance alongside Juls and Superhero DJ Jon Quick, with a surprise appearance by Shatta Wale, who was scheduled to headline a separate SummerStage event in the Bronx on August 13. The event, starting at 6:00 PM, drew a massive crowd, celebrating Afrobeats’ global rise.
Flavour’s Electrifying Performance
Nigerian highlife and Afrobeats star Flavour N’abania stole the show with hits like “Nwa Baby (Ashawo Remix)” and “Levels”, earning widespread acclaim. Vanguard News described his performance as “fiery” and “unforgettable,” predicting it would “go down in history as a night to remember for lovers of African music.” BellaNaija echoed this, noting the massive turnout of fans and industry figures. Flavour’s set, supported by opening acts Juls, a British-Ghanaian producer, and Superhero DJ Jon Quick, host of AfroFlava Radio, showcased Afrobeats’ vibrant energy. Executive Artistic Director Erika Elliott praised the event, stating, “The city of New York is indeed filled with great excitements,” highlighting its cultural significance.
SummerStage’s Legacy and Afrobeat Focus
Running from June to October 2022, SummerStage featured nearly 90 free and benefit shows across Central Park and 12 neighborhood parks in New York’s five boroughs, hosting genres like jazz, hip-hop, Latin, indie, reggae, and Afrobeats. The Afrobeats show, co-hosted by Lisa Yaro and Osei The Dark Secret, underscored SummerStage’s commitment to diverse cultural offerings, as Elliott noted: “SummerStage brings renowned artists and rising stars from around the world to local neighborhood parks.” Abass Akeju, founder of Prime Music Partners (PMP), expressed excitement about promoting Afrobeats globally, aligning with the festival’s mission to transform parks into dynamic performance spaces. Since its inception in 1986, SummerStage has attracted over six million attendees, cementing its status as a cultural cornerstone.
Impact and Reactions
The Afrobeats showcase, part of SummerStage’s 2022 season, highlighted the genre’s growing influence, with X posts buzzing about Flavour’s performance and Shatta Wale’s surprise appearance. Fans praised the free, accessible event, with comments like, “Flavour shut down Central Park! Afrobeats is taking over!” The absence of Patoranking disappointed some, but Shatta Wale’s addition, fresh from his scheduled Bronx performance, kept the energy high. The event’s success, livestreamed on SummerStageAnywhere.org, reinforced Afrobeats’ global appeal, with Juls’s production and DJ Jon Quick’s local flair adding depth. SummerStage’s focus on diversity, with 2022 acts like Herbie Hancock, George Clinton, and Waxahatchee, further amplified its role as a platform for both established and emerging artists.
A Milestone for Afrobeats
The Central Park event, backed by sponsors like Capital One and Subaru, showcased Afrobeats’ cultural resonance, with PMP’s involvement signaling Nigeria’s growing influence in global music. Despite Patoranking’s absence, the show’s success, as reported by Vanguard News and BellaNaija, highlighted Flavour’s star power and Afrobeats’ ability to unite diverse audiences. As SummerStage continues to evolve, its 2022 Afrobeats showcase remains a landmark moment, paving the way for future editions, like the 2025 season featuring Femi Kuti. The event’s legacy lies in its celebration of African music and its role in fostering cultural exchange in New York’s iconic parks.
