Blacktronika is a movement dedicated to honoring and illuminating innovators of color who have played a pivotal role in the evolution of electronic music. The movement originated in London (1999–2005) with the groundbreaking ‘Blacktronica’ events founded by artist Charlie Dark MBE at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, fundamentally reshaping the UK’s cultural landscape. In 2020, Professor and veteran artist King Britt expanded the movement into academia by establishing the Blacktronika: Afrofuturism in Electronic Music course at the University of California, and later launched the Blacktronika Festival, further solidifying the movement’s impact. In collaboration with his long-time colleague Charlie Dark, the festival has successfully engaged audiences in Paris, Knoxville, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and San Diego, fostering an expanding global community invested in the intersection of music, culture, and education.
The Harlem showcase will present a distinguished tribute to the legendary Paul Robeson, featuring Shana Redmond, Vijay Iyer, and LaFrae Sci. Additional performances include an improvisational set from Brooklyn’s Sonic Messengers, a debut collaboration between acclaimed artists Joy Guidry and Niecey Blues, and an exploration of the Black Quantum Futurism universe (Camae Ayewa and Rasheedah Phillips).
