Music / NewsGrace Jones replaces M.I.A. as Afropunk headlinerAfter backlash surrounding the rapper’s comments about Black Lives Matter, the festival have announced the legendary pop musician for their debut London eventShareLink copied ✔️July 19, 2016MusicNewsTextSelim Bulut Days after M.I.A. was dropped as a headliner from Afropunk London, the festival have announced that she will be replaced as headliner by the legendary Grace Jones, who will also be joined by a score of new names including Laura Mvula and Lady Leshurr. Afropunk has run many successful events since debuting in Brooklyn in 2005, but their first London outing has been plagued by controversy since they first announced M.I.A. as headliner. The Sri Lankan artist had previously made comments perceived to be critical of the Black Lives Matter movement. Back in April, M.I.A. told ES Magazine, “It’s interesting that in America the problem you’re allowed to talk about is Black Lives Matter. Is Beyoncé or Kendrick Lamar going to say Muslim Lives Matter? Or Syrian Lives Matter? Or this kid in Pakistan matters? That’s a more interesting question.” She later clarified her comments, writing, “I’m not Muslim. My question was, on American platforms what do they allow you to stand up for in 2016?” Many threatened to boycott the festival if M.I.A. was not removed. The rapper tweeted last month that she wouldn’t be performing (“If pulling the show saves the cause and lives then that’s what I’ll do”), but Afropunk maintained that she’d be playing until earlier this week, when they issued a statement saying that “after discussing the situation with the artist and the community, a decision was agreed upon by all involved that M.I.A. will no longer headline”. The full lineup for Afropunk London, which takes place on September 24th at London’s Alexandra Palace, includes SZA, Loyle Carner, Gaika, Don Letts, and many more. Check out the full lineup here, and revisit Dazed’s interview with Grace Jones. People get ready! AFROPUNK LONDON, @Miss_GraceJones headlines + much more! Sept 24 Tickets: https://t.co/LReZZXlPjppic.twitter.com/A2zAPdNlfe— AFROPUNK (@afropunk) July 19, 2016Escape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREWhat do cats think of Mitski’s new album? Find out in this new video‘Thug metal’ band Empty Shell Casing are the nu kids on the block Reebok Your favourite Reeboks are getting a makeoverThese evocative photos depict the in-between moments at Rio Carnival These photos straddle ‘pre and post-iPhone’ London nightlifeListen to Evissimax’s ‘Black, vampy and sexy’ Dazed mixPop dreamer Gabriela Richardson shares her internet obsessionsWhat’s poppin’? Two Shell meet Jack Harlow at London’s PhonoxThe rise of North West in 5 tracksThe Moment: How A.G. Cook turned Brat summer into a nightmareWinter Olympics 2026: Ranking the best music from the figure skating eventsEverything we know about Beyoncé’s rumoured rock eraEscape the algorithm! Get The DropEmail address SIGN UP Get must-see stories direct to your inbox every weekday. Privacy policy Thank you. You have been subscribed Privacy policy