Afrofuturism

This is one of those "tldr" posts if anyone's up to discuss.

I know this was said before, how Lupe is always light years ahead, but I just want to stress this. He not only covers history (e.g. transatlantic slave trade) and current events (e.g. Gaza War, 9/11), but also Afrofuturism in his work ("All Black Everything" reimagines the past, but it also sees a different future where there is no racism. We see this mainly in Drogas Wave with his themes of resurrection and reimagining life, the mythology of the LongChains who escape and resist their bonds.)

After reading , which mentions Lupe and Daydreamin' (page 146), I realize how much Lupe has done not only in his music but beyond that for his willingness to use technology and see other forms of multimedia that can enhance sensory experience.

For technology, we see this with the abstract audio ROTHKO (Yet for Computers), use of LFTs, his co-creation of TextFX and even using AI in his visualizer videos.

While I know a lot of people are weary about technology, especially artificial intelligence and individuals who use it for evil, I think something amazing is how Lupe embraces the positive aspects of it (using it for good), and how that reflects in his music. For example, Daydreamin' and the story of a robot made from the city, to Enemy of the State where the robot is reprogrammed to "fight evil," it's rooted in surrealism and science fiction, a future possibility. It allows us to imagine buildings becoming animated or robots allying with humans. And I know the latter especially is explored a lot (Will advanced technology destroy humankind? Does it make us more dependent and lose our skills for survival?)

We all know Lu and his relationship with science fiction, including references from The Matrix to Blade Runner in his music. He is interested in LLM models and .

I just think it would be so cool if Lupe was one of the rappers at the forefront to designing cool technology that changes not only the music game but history itself. We already have virtual concerts played inside video games (Duran Duran, 2006. Phil Collins in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories performing "In The Air Tonight", 2006.) NFTs to provide specialized tokens and exclusive content. What the Afrofuturism paper makes me think about, is looking at all the numerous possibilities we're presented with, how we collaborate with technology to make change happen. I just feel Lupe would totally be that guy to do that.

He's always been known as "the future" and seeing this become fully realized, it just makes sense.

My partner is African American and loves to write, and he also enjoys graphic novels.

I want to find some books that could help connect and learn more about his heritage and community and thought I would ask this lovely community if they had any recommendations?

Thank you!

Solarpunk is a creative movement that envisions a future where we've learned to live sustainably and in harmony with nature. It centers around clean energy like solar power and wind turbines, eco-friendly cities with green spaces, and tight-knit communities. In this vision, advanced technology enhances our lives without harming the environment. It's an optimistic outlook if we prioritize solving environmental issues. While not an official genre, solarpunk inspires art, stories, and conversations about creating a greener, more sustainable world.

I've developed a deep appreciation for this concept, thanks to YouTuber Andrewism, and often ponder how it might apply to the African Diaspora, especially after reading many books by Octavia Butler. I've used generative AI, specifically Stable Diffusion, to create a few images, including the one I'm sharing above.

Please feel free to leave a comment about Afrofuturism, Solar Punk, and/or Afro-Solarpunk. Thank you!

Looking for some good afrofuturism stuff. Right now I've only got the first Binti book by Nnedi Okorafor with plans to get the others, as well as some N.K. Jemisin. Recs?

Any recommendations for good Afrofuturism or Afrofantasy audiodramas? By this I mean sci Fi or fantasy that is based on various African cultures and themes.

I'm not sure if they really even exist, but I'd like to give any a listen!

Thanks in advance :)

Basically, I'm looking for inspiration to maybe expanding a fantasy project of mine. Maybe doing a cyberpunk/Sci fi spinoff of that story. The cultures in that world borrow a lot from real world Asian/Polynesian/African/Native American peoples, and I want to see futuristic/scifi stories that work with non- European/American cultures as a reference point.