Music, dance, art, culture, contest, and Jollof. On July 23rd, Atlanta will experience its first annual Atlanta Jollof, Music & Food Festival. Presented by Akon Lights Africa, a company founded by hip-hop star Akon, the iconic Jollof dish will be celebrated in a day-long festival with different styles and flavors. The festival will hold a contest to determine which West African country has the best Jollof – in the end, a winner of the “Jollof Wars” will be chosen.

One of West Africa’s most loved dishes, Jollof is a dish full of complex flavors, spices, and love that you can taste in each bite. The dish originated in West Africa and can be served on its own or with a meat dish. Jollof is also a part of a long-standing, heated debate about which country makes the best Jollof.

The Atlanta Jollof, Music and Food Festival will take place at Piedmont Park. According to the organizers, visitors will be able to enjoy the popular African food and vote in a head-to-head battle amongst representatives from each country fighting for the title of Best Jollof Rice.

There will be representatives from the African countries where Jollof is very popular, like Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Senegal, Akon’s homeland. However, there can only be one winner, according to organizers.

But the festival is not only about food. The event also has other cultural activities scheduled. Participants will experience a day full of music, art, dance, and so much more. There will be live performances by Rotimi, Afro B, Focalistic, Nektunez, Salma Slims, Nana Kofi, and of course, Akon. Black-owned Atlanta businesses selling Ankara prints, jewelry, artistic paintings, clothing, and more will also be at the event. 

Courtesy of Akon Lights Africa

Akon Lights Africa is a project started in 2014 by Akon along with Samba Bathily and Thione Niang, which aims to provide electricity by solar energy in Africa. Their initial technique is to install solar street lights and small energy systems. The company operates in 14 nations, including Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Niger, Benin, and Sierra Leone.

Check out the official announcement of the festival from Akon below.

Click here for more information about Jollof, Music & Food Festival.

Related: Jollof Wars: Rosario Dawson Weighs In On Which West African Country Makes The Best Jollof Rice