Back for their sixth year, Washington D.C.’s Broccoli City Festival this weekend, brings a stacked musical lineup, a two-conference, and a slew of programs that highlight its original purpose of building thriving urban communities and engaging millennials to get involved in their communities through social impact campaigns and events.
Started out in 2013 to draw attention to Earth Day, it has blossomed into a three-day festival of a variety of events from city runs, to community action events, to an all-night art escape, culminating with the all-day music fest to highlight environmental justice, economic sustainability, and education in underserved communities.
“You know, it’s crazy thinking about how our first show was in 2010 in LA and then seeing where we’ve gotten to now, it’s great,” said co-founder Brandon McEachern.
The lineup for this year’s Broccoli City Festival is spectacular, with headlining rap sensation Cardi B, along with Georgia rap group Migos, R&B crooner Miguel, along with Daniel Caesar, H.E.R., Nipsey Hussle, and Rich The Kid rounding out the bill.
“Even in the past we were smacking people in the face with the lineups, we’ve always been having artists before they blew up,” he said. Like in 2010, we had Kendrick Lamar and SZA before they even blew up. That’s where we came from, having the huge artists before they blow up, yet now, we have the hottest names out right now.”
Hip hop trio Migos has been dropping tracks all year, gaining traction from their most recent album, Culture II. The group’s two biggest hits “Bad and Boujee” and their other track, “Stir Fry” have been soaring up the charts since coming out. Collaborating with big names like Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, Travis Scott, and Nicki Manaj, Migos is quickly becoming one of the biggest names in hip hop right now.
Fellow headliner Cardi B, a former reality television star turned rapper, burst onto the scene last year making a huge impact with her hit “Bodak Yellow”, making her the second female rapper to get a top spot on the Billboard Top 100 with a solo album. With her stage presence and antics, she will surely put on one hell of a show.
Canadian, Grammy-nominated soul singer/songwriter Daniel Caesar launched his musical career in 2015 with Pilgrim’s Paradise and captivated fans with his hugely successful single “Get You” featuring Kali Uchis. Since then, he’s dropped Freudian that earned him nominations for Best R&B album and Best R&B Performance. His melodic vocals and smooth voice will be sure to win over the Broccoli Festival crowd.
H.E.R, a mysterious R&B singer that first came onto the scene in 2016 with her debut album, H.E.R Vol 1, saw swift success, thus launching her into the mainstream market. This album landed at #28 on the Billboard top 100 R&B album chart. After her second album, H.E.R Vol 2, which dropped in June 2017, the RCA Records signee finally revealed herself to be singer/songwriter, Gabi Wilson.
Besides the great lineup, the Broccoli City Festival will host a two-day interactive conference, Broccoli Con, co-hosted by GOOGLE DC, which leads up to the festival on Saturday.
“There will be many organizations there to answer questions and network and build connections,” said McEachern.Featuring professionals Jasmine Crowe, the founder of Goodr, Jerri Evans, the CEO of Turning National, Gilbert Campbell, the founder of Volt-Energy, the conference will include over 20 speakers holding sessions on topics ranging from environmental gentrification to startup funding along with hands-on workshops and more. See the entire programming schedule here. Tickets for this conference are being sold online for $35, and the conference takes place April 26th-27th from 12 pm to 7 pm.
In addition to music and the conference, the festival will also have a 5k run.
“This year, we’ve also partnered with Nike to do a 5k Run, where you can either walk or run. We took over Anacostia Park where there will be music and games to participate in as well,” added McEachern. “Really, it’s all about the city and giving back. That’s why the show is where it’s at in D.C. We were looking to really get involved with the community this year. The show is really going up, it’s going to be great.”
This year’s Broccoli City Festival is definitely a show you will not want to miss. The conference is underway, and the official festival kicks off thsi Sat., April 28 It’s Saturday, April 28 at the RFK Stadium Festival Grounds Lot 8 located at 2400 E. Capitol St. Tickets start at $198 and can be purchased here.
Photos By: Broccoli City
Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond
