Black artists' roots in country music are being rediscovered following the release of Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter. The founders of the upcoming I Made Rock 'N' Roll Festival are aiming to have a similar impact in the rock genre. The festival, organized by GANGGANG, an Indianapolis-based creative advocacy firm, will feature Janelle Monáe as the headliner on Saturday.
GANGGANG's mission is to showcase the authorship of Black creatives who contributed to American culture, particularly in rock 'n' roll. The festival aims to highlight the strong history of Black artists in shaping the genre. Monáe was drawn to the festival due to its alignment with her own arts collective, Wondaland Arts Society.
The festival lineup includes artists like Gary Clark Jr., Robert Randolph, Joy Oladokun, Meet Me @ the Altar, and Inner Peace. The event is set to take place at the American Legion Mall in Indianapolis with a capacity of 7,500 attendees.
Monáe emphasizes the importance of the festival in bringing people together through music and fostering creativity. She reflects on her career, noting the challenges of being classified into specific genres as a Black artist but finding confidence in expressing her unique style.
Monáe's track 'We Were Rock and Roll' from her album 'The Electric Lady' pays homage to the roots of Black people in rock 'n' roll. She hopes that the festival will lead to a greater appreciation of Black rock artists and their contributions to the genre.
The festival aims to spark conversations about justice, diversity, and inclusion in the music industry. Monáe expresses excitement about the event and the opportunity to celebrate the anniversary of her album 'The ArchAndroid' during her performance.
Overall, the I Made Rock 'N' Roll Festival serves as a platform for artists to showcase their talents, challenge genre boundaries, and celebrate the rich history of Black creatives in rock music.
