Capital New York

The eighth annual Afropunk Fest was held this past weekend at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn.

Featuring an eclectic line-up of punk and hardcore bands like Straight Line Stitch and Cerebral Ballzy and mainstream favorites TV on the Radio, Das Racist, and Janelle Monae, the festival debunks the notion that black culture and punk don't mix.

The festival included a total of 32 bands, performing on two stages. It also included a BMX bike show, the Nike Battle for the Streets skateboarding competition, local vendors, food trucks and an art wall. Here, scenes from the two days of singing, dancing, eating, biking and skating.

(All photos by Melissa Smith.)

Alice Smith performing on the Green stage on Saturday, day one of the Afropunk festival, held at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn.

Bikers performed tricks on a ramp next to the red stage.

Bikers getting ready to perform.

Cerebral Ballzy played on the Red stage on Sunday, day two of the festival.

Fans eagerly awaited Das Racist at the Red stage on Saturday.

Das Racist was the headliner performing on Saturday.

Food trucks lined the outside of the park.

Graffiti artists tagged the wall next to the Red stage.

The M.C. for the Red stage for both days of the festival.

E.Z. Mo Breezy of Grits & Biscuits, DJing between sets in front of the Red stage.

Spankrock’s entourage warmed up the crowd for headliner Janelle Monae on the Red stage on Sunday.

Monae sang to a full-capacity crowd. Some people listened from the street, outside the gates of the park.

The Oxymorrons getting the crowd amped up at the Red stage on Saturday.

A group dancing to the D.J., near the Red stage.

Vendors set up shop on the lawn around the Green stage.

Amateur skaters competed in a competition around the Red stage.

Spank Rock performing on the Red stage on Saturday

Metalcore band Straight Line Stitch, playing the Red stage on Sunday.

The youngest Straight Line Stitch fan in the audience.

TV on the radio, the headliner on the Green Stage on Sunday, closed out the festival.

Melissa Smith

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