Stronger Together, a collective of African artists, made history with their sold-out debut concert, Afrosmash, held at The Wild Hare in Chicago on Saturday, August 17. The event marked the first independent Afrobeats/Afrofusion concert in the area, attracting a packed house and delivering an unforgettable musical experience.
Afrosmash was the first of its kind in the area, drawing over 200 enthusiastic fans and filling the venue with vibrant energy and unmatched musical performances.
Afrosmash Chicago 2024 featured an impressive lineup of talent from across the African diaspora, headlined by Kronika, Jova B, Azizz, Deaj, Koray, Jessenation, Dr Soul, Fu Krazy, Queen Drie and supported by other incredible artists, like Rie Osei, Fez Mnisi, Kordy Blakka, and Asapmills, all of whom brought the venue to life with their thrilling performances.
The climax thrill came when Queen Drie invited Kordy Blakka to join her on stage for a surprise performance. The energy in the room was electric as the duo’s chemistry lit up the stage, leaving the crowd so enthralled that they demanded an encore.
Michael Amponsah, largely known as Big Mike, spokesperson for Stronger Together, expressed his gratitude and excitement about the success of Afrosmash. “Initially, our goal was 150, but we surpassed 200 and even had people waiting at the door,” he said. “It’s amazing to see Chicago come out like this. Usually, Chicago shows up for big stars, so to see the independent community pull over 200 people into a venue for a show is a huge win.”
The success of Afrosmash has already sparked plans for next year, with Big Mike hinting at bigger ambitions. “We’re going to take all the lessons from this year, get a bigger venue, and make Afrosmash 2025 even more epic. People even skipped Afro Nation to come to our show, and that tells me we’re on the right track.”
The event received praise from industry insiders, who noted its significance for the African music community in Chicago. With plans to expand and build on this year’s momentum, Afrosmash is poised to become a staple in the city’s live music scene, continuing to celebrate and elevate African music on a grand scale.
