It’s been exactly one week since Baltimore AFRAM took over Druid Hill Park, and we are now just cooling off from the event, both literally and figuratively. Billed as one of the largest festivals in the country to celebrate African American culture, AFRAM drew over 150,00 attendees during its two-day festivities. For Baltimore residents, this is the official kick off to the Summer, and rightfully so, as we get to see some of the city’s finest on display. With local vendors and businesses able to be front and center, there’s something for everyone at AFRAM. If you’re looking for some uniquely crafted Black art, you’ll find that here, if you’re looking for any type of family services, you’ll find that here, and if you’re looking to find a new plug on a local food spot, you’re more than likely to find that here as well.
Upon walking up East Drive to get to the actual festival grounds, I could hear the echoing of Baltimore Club Music being played while Larry “Whaddup” Caudle and Buck Jones helped curate the vibes for the third annual Baltimore Club Music Day celebration. As the “heartbeat of the city”, there’s nothing like the vibes that club music brings, especially when you have the likes of Ducky Dynamo, Ayy Mello, Mighty Mark, Blaqstarr, Rod Lee, DJ Technics and Supa DJ Big L on the 1s and 2s. Shout out goes to the TSU Dance Crew and Bmore Than Dance for rocking off and constantly keeping Baltimore style club dance in the forefront.
The first nationally known act to hit the main stage was Kenya Vaun, who hails from Philly. Kenya’s music has a really chill, laid-back old-school R&B vibe to it, which I could certainly appreciate. She ended her set with her single “Summer“, that was a perfect tie in with the fact that we were really experiencing Summer like temps for the first time this year, reaching upwards towards 100°.
All of the women in the audience went wild when one of the newest R&B hot throbs Vedo was up next. Commanding the stage with two female backup dancers, he ran through a few of his tracks that he’s released. “Split” and “Do You Mind” were two stand out songs, but it was his most popular single “You Got It” that made me really realize who he was.
In between musical sets, 92Q’s Chey Parker and Cool Ant helped keep the show moving, along with various DJs.
AFRAM is also known to sprinkling in a bit of some international talent in its musical roster. This year they were able to snag Stefflon Don, for what would be her first-time performance in Baltimore. Don is a British rapper with roots that tie back to Jamaican, so you can only guess that her musical catalogue would be melting pot of all of those influences.
She sang a little, she rapped a lot, and even gave us a few 8 counts, but she left an impression on Charm City, specifically by closing out with her hit single “Hurtin’ Me,” which I think most of us remember singing along to back in 2017 when it was all over urban radio.
Among nearly 15 performers, one that stepped up and stepped in at the last minute was JT of the City Girls. However, she proved she was more than a fill-in,
Originally scheduled for a high-energy set by Saweetie, festival organizers made a quick pivot after news broke of the rapper’s injury. In stepped JT, no stranger to a crowd, has consistently been building her fanbase as a solo artist and it was evident that her hard work is paying off. The stakes were high, but so was the energy, as was the energy of every teenage female that scratched their way to the front of the stage before her performance.
Her solo single and first Hot 100 solo entry, “Okay,” had the crowd chanting each line word for word, reflecting the energy between JT and the audience.
JT electrified the Baltimore crowd, of course performing verses from City Girls anthems like “Act Up” and “Twerkulator,” but with continued solo singles “Ran Out,” and “No Bars.” She quickly commanding the stage in front of thousands and filled the space with bold stage presence and a deep connection with the audience.
As her performance continued, it became evident that JT can be a headliner in her own right.
AFRAM 2025 turned all the way up on Saturday night when Southern rap legend Juvenile hit the stage at Druid Hill Park, headlining the first night of Baltimore’s beloved cultural festival.
With decades in the game, the New Orleans native showcased his continued energy, swag, stage presence and sound that shaped a generation.
From the moment he stepped on stage, Juvenile brought the bounce. It was a it was a full-blown celebration for the music and the culture.
He kept the momentum going with hits like “Slow Motion,” “Rodeo,” and “Ha” with the moment of truth came with “Back That Azz Up,” a moment every thirty – fifty something year old women were waiting on all day long. He connected effortlessly with the Baltimore audience, making Saturday night an unforgettable moment for those that stuck out the heat.
Juvenile’s set became a party, a tribute to New Orleans culture and hip-hop’s roots, and a reminder of how timeless and influential the sound of the South really is.
Sunday we were back at with a whole new attitude. While Saturday’s crowd is always typically more hyped up and “lit” due to the scheduled set of performers, Sunday has been billed as “old head Sunday” and is the one that I personally opt for. As usual, the day starts out with a gospel music set that was anchored by Jonathan Nelson and the Jonathan Gilmore Project. Not shortly after, there was a shift in programming, one that was new for AFRAM, but one that I loved. There was a men’s health talk that was particularly needed, not just for our community, but for the city as well.
Hot off of her Tiny Desk concert and BET Awards comeback performance Amerie would open up the Sunday concert series. Looking as beautiful as ever in a tank and shorts, she had something to say when she kicked off her set with “Talkin’ to Me.”
Placing her on Sunday was a perfect addition to the lineup because I’ve always felt like Amerie created music that was made for the summer, and she performed all of those hits that I’m referring to. She commented saying “cause it was HOT, but ya’ll came to have a good time, do you mind if we take it back a little bit?” before she rolled through her first single “Why Don’t We Fall In Love“, one of my favorite tracks from her “Rolling Down My Face” and her latest single “Mine“, which she released just a few months ago.
Unfortunately, audio issues began to plague her as she got to her biggest hit “1 Thing,” but she didn’t let that steal her shine her as she cut the track and segued into an acapella version of the song that lead into a sing-a-long.
Before the next act came on stage, Mayor Brandon M. Scott gave a loose warning to the aunties that this is not a bedroom, so act accordingly, but he couldn’t be responsible for the kind of vibe that Silk might put you in, considering their intro songs were “If You” and “Let’s Make Love.”
The group, lead by Gary “Lil G” Jenkins, showed that there’s something truly magical about 90’s R&B that music today just can’t compare to, especially when there’s a five-part harmony that is the sheer foundation of the sound. That harmony pierced through on their biggest hits “Lose Control,” “Meeting In My Bedroom” and “Freak Me.” After those songs, I’m not too sure what was going on inside of some of those tents that people had pitched up in the back.
DJs Ty Alexander and one of Baltimore’s favorites, Porkchop kept everyone’s boots on the ground while we the stage crew and backline began setting things up for the last two performers of the night. As with every year, a big portion of the entertainment, which probably shouldn’t be, are the ASL interpreters. They didn’t only translate spoken language into sign language, but also ensured that the deaf and hearing individuals had just as much of a vibed out experience as everyone else at AFRAM.
The lioness Teedra Moses is officially celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut album “Complex Simplicity” by crafting a setlist that is heavy on the material from that album. Walking out in a long, flowing green top and cream shorts, she wasted no time getting “Caught Up” in an AFRAM love affair. Her band was sonically in tune, and played effortlessly to some of the fan favorites “Take Me” and the more sensual “Backstroke.”
I can clearly remember back to the summer of 2004 when her first single “Be Your Girl” had dropped, and it was on almost every female’s voicemail. Fast forward to current time and the song is still standing the test of time, with a renewed interest due to a Kaytranada remix, which she performed in addition to the standard album version.
Legend met legacy on Sunday evening as Patti LaBelle headlined the final night of AFRAM 2025 at Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park, ending on a high note that only the Godmother of Soul herself could deliver. At 80 years old, LaBelle reminded the crowd that not only can she still move hearts and bring people to their feet — she can still kick off her heels, too.
The sun began to set as LaBelle stepped onto the stage in a sparkling ensemble, met by a roar from a multigenerational crowd. From the very first note, it was clear that LaBelle came to give the people a full show.
She opened with “Release (The Tension)“before moving into timeless classics like “If Only You Knew,” “Love, Need And Want You” and “On My Own.” The audience sang every word. Some were swaying with emotion, others dancing like no time had passed at all — just joy and memories in motion.
LaBelle’s set was more than a trip down memory lane. With her continued powerful vocals full of life presence and attitude, LaBelle continued to prove why she is the legend she is. She expressed kindness and gratitude between songs, speaking to the thanking them and reflecting on her journey.
She has a way about her that makes each performance unique in its own way, despite the many classics under her belt.
Her performance ended AFRAM 2025 with grace, soul while celebrating the past, present, and future of Black excellence.
Next year will be 50 years of AFRAM, so we’re already waiting to see what special treat the organizers will have in store for us.
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