This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Budweiser Made In America Festival for year four of the annual music and style extravaganza. What I love about Made in America Fest is that it gets bigger and better every year. The performances, the street style, the sponsors – everything gets better with each year that passes! (Click here to read my recap from Year 1!) Though I missed seeing Bey’s epic performance live (you know I was watching it on livestream and shimmying in my PJ’s at home Saturday night) I did make it out for Day 2 and Sunday’s lineup did NOT disappoint. Here’s a small sampling of what I got into and the epic street style I captured through my lens:
My first stop at the festival was the Shea Moisture Pop-Up booth. Who can resist hair touch-ups with top of the line professionals like Diane C. Bailey?
I mean come on. Braid bar on fleek.
I also stopped into the VIP lounge and got my makeup touched up by MUA Stephanie Flor of AroundTheWorldBeauty. She intensified my red lip with Shea Moisture’s Lip Crayon in “Kenya” – a nice bold red for brown girls.
SheaMoisture had their new Fruit Fusion Coconut Water collection among others on display. Smelled SO good.
After getting my touch-ups and a luxe chair massage from the Shea Moisture crew, I skipped over to the main stages to catch some street style.
RELATED: Kickin’ It: Made In America Day 2
What I love shooting most are dope, fashionable groups of friends. Of course everyone has their individual beauty.
But there’s something so special and beautiful about seeing brown girls unite to be beautiful together.
That’s one of the reasons we started the #BrownGirlsLove – it’s all about empowering each other, stylishly – right?
Just beautiful.
I saw such unique bursts of individuality at the festival.
Everyone was vibing and having a great time. So unto my favorite performances…
RELATED: Made In America Festival Style Day 1
J-I-D-E-N-N-A.
Ok I’m a little biased. “Classic Man” is my jam, and I happen to be friends with his producer and DJ – Nana Kwabena.
Nana and I went to UPENN together. What a full circle moment seeing him backstage in the press room at Made in America. I still remember his late night studio sessions grindin’! Hard works pays off. But even if I wasn’t friends with the producer…”Classic Man” goes hard! “Even if she go away, even if she go away…” Don’t act like you’re not humming the tune. Jidenna’s set was electric, like all Wondaland productions are. It was pretty dope. “Yoga Booty” contest and all. Yeah, that happened.
What’s even cooler is I got an opportunity to interview the classic man himself and he gave me such great tidbits about his sense of style and also what he looks for in a “Classic Woman”.
I’ll be sharing them in a special piece next Monday so keep your eyes peeled for that interview.
After my interview, I skirted over to Future’s set which was LIVE and out of control. I just found out that #FutureHive was a thing (i.e Future has super-fans to the tune of Beyonce’s #BeyHive?). Thanks Keke for the tip.
After that, I had to go support my Grits & Biscuits kinfolk. Their set was LIVE. If you’ve never been to a Grits & Biscuits Dirty South set party, definitely google it. It’s an experience.
Somehow I made my way on stage and proceeded to swag & surf behind the G&B crew.
If you’ve never been to one of their parties, definitely hop over to the Grits & Biscuits website and check to see when they’re in a city near you. They’re on a world tour (not your girl’s tour). Sorry I couldn’t resist.
Jumpsuit c/o Boohoo | Necklace: Forever 21 | Backpack: Custom made in Ghana (shouts to my bestie Afia!) | Ring: Kendra Scott | Cuff: (I stole this from my sister) | Bangles: Alex+Ani
All in all I had a blast at Made in America Festival. Can’t wait to see what’s in store next year.
Did any of you go? Tryna go next year? Hit me in the comments.