Beaucoup de talent at BUKU: What to expect from anticipated artists

No place serves up a party quite like New Orleans. With tons of festivals, concerts and, of course, Mardi Gras, the city promises a good time no matter the season. Back for its eighth year, BUKU Music + Art Project is sure to get your blood thumping, hips swaying and taste buds tingling with a jam-packed two-day celebration of New Orleans culture.

Photo courtesy of Diament Public Relations

The festival, which takes place March 22-23, will feature several national and local artists. Here’s a quick rundown of those set to hit the stage:

Lana Del Rey

Cherry-emoji Twitter, this one’s for you. Psychedelic pop-rock extraordinaire Lana Del Rey is one of the most renowned artists headlining BUKU this year. With her eerie vocals and melancholic production, Rey will have you “lusting for life.” Her last album “Lust for Life,” dropped in 2017, but you’ll surely find some songs you know in her long list of hits. Her next album, “Norman Fucking Rockwell,” is slated for release some time this year.

AF THE NAYSAYER

New Orleans native AF THE NAYSAYER will be one of many local artists at BUKU. The “soul-hop” performer is a member of the VIBE Music Collective and an instructor at Upbeat Academy. His new EP titled “Parts: Act 1,” will drop March 19, and he will debut the entire project during BUKU’s VIP Experience.

Photo courtesy of Diament Public Relations

Malik Ninety Five

Malik Ninety Five, another New Orleans native, will hit the stage in promotion of his latest album, “Tragedy’s Under the Sun.” The hip-hop artist, who’s been featured in “Complex,” has also appeared alongside national artist Jay Rock on his “Big Redemption” Tour.

Kevin Gates

Not only is Kevin Gates a BUKU headliner and nationally recognized rapper, he’s also from Louisiana. The Baton Rouge artist gained national popularity after the release of his 2016 album “Islah,” which reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 200 Chart.

BUKU marks Gates’ first time performing in New Orleans in several years. The rapper was slated to appear at Voodoo Music and Arts Festival in 2016 but canceled last minute to serve a jail sentence. Gates’ style is primarily autobiographical and lyrically-driven. Gates will perform at BUKU on Friday, March 22, at 8 p.m. on the Power Plant Stage.

A$AP Rocky

Whether you have been an A$AP Rocky fan since “Live. Love. A$AP” dropped back in 2011 or you just discovered the Harlem rapper, look forward to seeing A$AP Rocky perform this Saturday, March 23, at Mardi Gras World. A$AP Rocky’s personal creativity is his strong point, and he advertises this trait in his third and newest studio album, “TESTING”.

If you like to do your listening research before a concert in order to impressively scream every word from the mosh pit, add this album to your Spotify queue. Expect to hear A$AP Rocky’s latest single, “Sundress,” some throwbacks and music from A$AP Rocky’s collaborations with artists such as Tyler The Creator, G-Eazy and Cardi B. A$AP is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. at the Power Plant stage.

Photo courtesy of AliveCoverage

There are several other artists performing, including Rico Nasty, Earl Sweatshirt, $UICIDE BOY$, Mayday Parade and many more. The festival will also feature pop-up shows showcasing local painters and sculptors. Regardless of your scene, BUKU Music + Art Festival is sure to quench your thirst for a good time.

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