The AFROPUNK Festival is coming up very soon here in New York City, and host Nicole Taylor is here in the studio with Lauren Cannon and Jocelyn Cooper to talk about its roots, mission, and life of the festival weekend, filled good music and great vibes. Described by the New York Times as “the most multicultural festival in the US,” the word AFROPUNK itself has become synonymous with open-minded, non-conforming and unconventional, placing the institution at the epicenter of urban culture inspired by alternative music. Adamant in promoting diversity, the festival stage is always studded with music’s most distinct acts. Last year’s line-up ranged from such innovators as Erykah Badu and Janelle Monáe to indie powerhouses TV On The Radio and Toro Y Moi. Also this year, the Afropunk festival is delighted to bring a plethora of food trucks, including Luke’s Lobster, Kimchi Taco, and Dinosaur Barbecue. Come to AFROPUNK FEST 2013 this summer and sweat, skate, mosh, shout. Feel the music, free your mind, join the movement! Lastly, Nicole speaks with Evan George of Hot Knives. Together they speak about beer, bahn mi, ice cream, burgers, sorbet, and of course their new book, Lust for Leaf: Vegetarian Noshes, Bashes, and Everyday Great Eats–The Hot Knives Way. This program has been sponsored by Tekserve. Thanks to the London Souls, Le1f, and The Skins for today’s music, which you can also find at the Afropunk lineup this year!

“Afropunk strives to be the number one destiation for alternative black culture – to show the world that we are diverse, educuated.” —Jocelyn Cooper on Hot Grease