HOMECOMING is a movement; igniting new cultural conversation and creative development across Africa. The festival empowers the continent’s young generation with the knowledge and resources they need to inspire and enable future innovation and growth.
Jukebox Collective’s Liara Barussi, and Gabin Kongolo attended the festival in April 2023; a 4-day cultural exchange that brings African creatives and creativity back to Africa, and gives them what they need to take their vision to the world.
“I see the opportunity to galvanise the incredible creativity of this young generation and share it with the world,” says HOMECOMING founder GRACE LADOJA. “HOMECOMING exists to ignite a celebration of cultural heritage and creative exchange, through the lens of music, fashion, sport, art and education.”
From explosive live performances by the world’s most exciting African and International stars, to a Streetwear Pop-Up where local and global designers release world-exclusive product collaborations, HOMECOMING presents the best of contemporary culture through the lens of Africa’s trend-setting creative generation.
“African fashion and music is happening now,” said Joey Lit, the founder of streetwear brand Free The Youth. “It’s about time that the Western world embraced young talents from Africa,”
2023 saw the return of another programme packed with art tours, panels, pop-ups, performances and even friendly celebrity football matches, Homecoming 2023 brought together Lagos locals and the wider diaspora for an extended weekend of activities to inspire and cultivate these powerful creative exchanges. Tiwa Savage, NSG, Cruel Santino and dozens more joined the festival’s legacy of exciting line-ups that have always championed emerging and established talent from its inaugural show headlined by Skepta and Wizkid to early co-signs of Pa Salieu, Rema and Central Cee in previous years.
The trip was delivered as a part of our Future Creatives project. The project began in 2021 through a community investigation into the experiences of black and minority creatives’ in Wales, and has since grown into a highly collaborative and supportive network. The project highlighted a need for more inclusion of creatives in decision-making, community-led initiatives, and tangible long-term support for artists. In response, we’re curating events, and opportunities for this network in 2023 and beyond – forging unforgettable moments for our culture.
Photography Danielle Mbonu / Photography Adedamola Odetara / Photography by Gabin Kongolo
