AFROBEATS FEST 757 WAS FEBRUARY 1-3, 2024 AT NSU!
Thank you for kicking off Black History Month and its theme of “African Americans and the Arts” with us on February 1-3, 2024 at the Historically Black Norfolk State University!
Enjoy Photos from 2024, Courtesy of Mobile Photo Lab
ARTISTS/PERFORMERS
Akosua Akoto
Chike Joseph Nwagbogu
Dr. Anthony Hailey
You may have seen her in the recent The Color Purple; Coming 2 America; and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; including videos with Janet Jackson, Fally Ipupa, Jidenna, and Machel Montano. We are thrilled to welcome Akosua Akoto back for her third FEST with us as Guest Instructor, Guest Panelist, and Guest Judge!
Dr. Anthony Hailey
Chike Joseph Nwagbogu
Dr. Anthony Hailey
Charlotte, NC native Dr. Anthony Hailey is the CEO & President of the Mosaic Steel Orchestra. A renowned African and Caribbean percussionist, he holds a Doctorate of Music in World Percussion, and we are thrilled to welcome him for a second time at the Afrobeats FEST 757, where he will mesmerize with the steel pan!
Chike Joseph Nwagbogu
Chike Joseph Nwagbogu
Chike Joseph Nwagbogu
Creative Director and Curator of Pure Lagos Gallery in Norfolk, Chike is proud of many achievements in Nigeria, including organizing the first art auction; first contemporary art gallery; and the first award winning boutique hotel in Nigeria (Bogobiri House). We are looking forward to his expertise in our panel discussion on Opening night!
Cindie Ngomege
Chike Joseph Nwagbogu
Chike Joseph Nwagbogu
Cameroon native Cindie Ngomege has graced the stage, sharing her remarkable talent with Wizkid, Rema, Fally Ipupa, Flavour, Diamond Platinum and more, adding an unforgettable dimension to their shows. Awe are excited to welcome Cindie for her debut FEST appearance as Guest Instructor, Guest Panelist, and Guest Judge!
Demola the Violinist
Demola the Violinist
Demola the Violinist
Demola aka Demola the Violinist is a musician, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and an award winning self-taught multi-genre violinist. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he moved to the USA to pursue his solo music career. Come enjoy his artistry in our West African Dinner Concert!
Freeman Mweo
Demola the Violinist
Demola the Violinist
Zambia native Freeman Mweo is a song writer, recording artist and musical performer in Gospel (DM & FM Gospel Network), Afrobeat, and Reggae. He has also had roles in Harriet, and in two TV series: Our Kind of People and The Good Lord Bird. He is excited to share his Zambian culture with our youth in our African Story Time & Dance!
Jamin Beats
Demola the Violinist
Jamin Beats
Francis Odartey Lamptey aka Jamin Beats is a Ghanaian Afro pop singer, producer, and songwriter Chesapeake resident. He won the US-based Uncovered Artist of the Year at the 2020 Ghana Music Awards USA; as well as the 2022 US Based Male Artist of the Year. We can't wait for you to experience his beats at the West African Dinner Concert!
MDG
Demola the Violinist
Jamin Beats
Born Dennis Foray Bundu in Freetown, Sierra Leone, rapper and singer/songwriter MDG (My Dearest Gift) immigrated to the US with his family in the early 2000's. A 2010 NSU grad, MDG is also a passionate fine artist whose colors when he paints, are as vibrant as his spirit. Come experience his artistry at the West African Dinner Concert!
Marysa Ada
Mini Bo$$ez
Marysa Ada
Marysa channels her Nigerian roots and desire to use the arts to heal her community with Melodic Mediation, LLC, a special sound therapy to create calming, soothing, and hypnotic vocals that help relieve stress, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain, and more. We can't wait to hear what Marysa has in store for us at the Dance Competition!
Meka Oku
Mini Bo$$ez
Marysa Ada
Hailing from a musical household, Nigerian-born Meka Oku hails from a musically inclined household. Michael Jackson’s unique and distinct moves sparked his interest in dance at an early age. You can see Meka in the Netflix documentary Afrobeats: the Back Story. We are thrilled to welcome him back for his third FEST as Guest Instructor, Guest Panelist, and Guest Judge!
Mini Bo$$ez
Mini Bo$$ez
Mini Bo$$ez
The Mini Bo$$ez of Hampton, VA based Nurvouz dance team captured our hearts when they danced for us in the Youth division of our Afrobeats Dance Off Competition in 2022. Come see for yourself, and be prepared to have a great time and cheer for them as one of our featured performers in this year's event!
Natasha Ewa
Mini Bo$$ez
Mini Bo$$ez
Nigerian born, UK raised, and American educated Natasha Ewa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist, who champions Mental Wellness. In addition to her own practice, I Thrive Therapy & Wellness, she runs TACA's Mental Health Program. Natasha is adding another layer to that program by being the inaugural presenter of TACA Speaks at our Dance Off Competition.
Rita Addico Cohen
Rita Addico Cohen
Rita Addico Cohen
Professional singer, dancer, actress, and teaching artist Rita "KK" has been performing since she was 4 in her native Accra, Ghana hometown. She has fused her mastery of ten languages; innate performing arts talents and skills; and natural fitness to bring African dance and culture to her community and beyond. TACA's Founder/Executive Director proudly welcomes you to the Afrobeats FEST 757!
Dr. Sheila Ward
Rita Addico Cohen
Rita Addico Cohen
Sheila A. Ward is Co-Director of, and performs professionally with Eleone Dance Theatre of Philadelphia, and certified instructors for both the Umfundalai African Dance Technique and the Katherine Dunham Dance Technique. She is a tenured Professor in the Dept. of Health, Physical Education and Exercise Science at Norfolk State University. She will be a guest judge for our Dance Competition.
Tamar Smithers
Rita Addico Cohen
Tamar Smithers
Tamar Smithers is a professional actress, vocalist, educator, and the VA African American Cultural Center's Executive Director. She is an avid arts advocate with over fifteen years of experience in the not-for-profit sector with a special focus on museums, higher education, and cultural institutions. We are honored to welcome her as our Panel Discussion Moderator for our FEST opening!
Theyungtea
Rita Addico Cohen
Tamar Smithers
Theyungtea is a Spoken Word performing artist from Virginia Beach. Tea as in T.E.A stands for Teaching Empathy and Awareness, as she aspires to inspire, through sound, a projection of her reflection. Also known as Taniiah Lewis, she is the reigning Miss Juneteenth, and we cannot wait to experience what she brings to our FEST on the opening night!
Tobias Cortez
Toldo the Boss
Toldo the Boss
Out of 100,000 singers who audition ed for the 2021-22 American Idol TV show, Como, NC native Tobias had the opportunity to audition in Los Angeles in front of Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, making it to the top 59 contestants. We are excited to welcome him to the FEST and can't wait for you to experience his flavorful addition to our West African Dinner Concert!
Toldo the Boss
Toldo the Boss
Toldo the Boss
Senegal native and VA Beach resident Mame Sall has loved dancing to the rich rhythms of West Africa since he was a child. His prowess of the football (soccer) field earned him his stage name Toldo the Boss. We are excited to welcome the talented singer and comedian to the stage as one of our Afrobeats Dance off Competition guest performers!
HOST
NSU Dance Theatre
We are grateful to the Norfolk State University Dance Theatre for hosting us for the third time at the NSU Student Center. The Norfolk State University Dance Theatre features a wide range of dance from Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, and Jazz, to Hip Hop, Majorette, and African dances.
