Afrobeats culture is taking over D.C. during the inaugural Rolling Cocoa Music Festival this weekend. The Ghanaian-centered music and cultural festival is happening on March 9th, 2024 at The Anthem in the city’s Southwest Waterfront neighborhood. The annual festival aims to showcase the best of Ghanaian talent on global stages. Aligning with this year’s Ghanaian Independence Weekend, the well-timed event will bring the energy of West Africa to America’s capital.
Rolling Cocoa’s Lineup
Rolling Cocoa’s first festival will feature a star-studded lineup of Ghana’s biggest artists. Osita “Duke” Ugeh, CEO of entertainment company Duke Concept and Rolling Cocoa’s festival producer, assures attendees can expect cultural immersion during the one-night celebration.
“We are thrilled to bring the spirit of Ghana to the heart of D.C. through Rolling Cocoa. This event goes beyond being a mere concert. It embodies a celebration of Ghanaian culture, a night fostering unity, offering festival goers an opportunity to resonate with the essence of Ghanaian heritage through music,” shared Ugeh in a press release.
This year’s headliners include Stonebwoy and Black Sherif, two of Ghana’s growing list of chart-topping artists. The performance roster also includes R2bees, Kidi, Kwesi Arthur, Camidoh, Efya, S3fa, Kwasi Beast, Kappacinco, and Incredible Zigi.
Celebrating Ghana’s Music and Culture
Rolling Cocoa’s inaugural festival comes on the heels of the 67th anniversary of Ghana’s independence from Britain. Celebrated annually on March 6th, this significant date marks both freedom for Ghana and an inspirational turning point for other African countries impacted by colonization.
In addition to Saturday’s festival, Rolling Cocoa’s full list of festivities spans four days of nightlife entertainment. The Akwaaba Welcome Party kicks things off on Thursday, March 7th, while the Touch of Kente party welcomes the weekend on Friday, March 8th. For those who to keep the vibes going after the festival, the official afterparty takes place on Saturday night. To close out the weekend-long celebration in true D.C. style, the Taste of Ghana Brunch Party might require a pre-nap, with the party going until dawn.
Tickets for Rolling Cocoa are available on the festival’s website. Attendees can opt into the Rolling Cocoa events of their choice, with separate tickets available for each event.