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 MOREXaviersobased’s online obsessions: NBA 2K, skate videos and NickelodeonQueer nightlife is thriving in Bucharest’s abandoned backroomsThe rise of Rico Ace in 5 tracksSwedish House Mafia unpack their Miami Ultra festival mega-set2Slimey isn’t here to be a meme artist: ‘I want a fucking Grammy’ Nourished by Time: ‘Music should be fun – but it can’t be fun all the time’K-pop has an AI problemCoals are kickstarting Poland’s dream pop sceneEvilgiane’s camera roll from his tour with Snow StrippersFinnish alt-pop star Pehmoaino: ‘Art helps us survive this dark country’10 great albums you may have missed in the last three monthsLamb is making ‘electronic lyrical’ music that sounds like no one elseEscape 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