Afronation and the Piano People Stage through the Lens: Interview with Faces
By Kamona Mubu
In June, thousands flocked to the beautiful city of Portimão in Portugal to enjoy a star-studded line up at the cultural and electric Afro Nation Festival, with the likes of 50 Cent, Ayra Starr, Burna Boy and many more. Alongside the electric main stage which highlighted various genres and acts, the festival housed the “Piano People” stage which lived up to its name and stood tall and vibrant, hosting some of the best DJs and Artists in the Amapiano scene. The Piano People stage featured Uncle Waffles, Sha Sha, Skylaa Tylaa, Tyla and many more DJs and Artists who have helped raise and nurture this fast growing and popular genre to bring it to where it is today!
Amongst the thousands who attended, there was one man who was able to capture the true essence of the Piano People stage. FACES, or as some may know him as his TikTok or Instagram handle ShotbyFaces, attended Afronation with his VHS camera. His style of work which can be described as striking and nostalgic ties together his interesting use of VHS and technique, to capture organic moments of people in their element is something which sets his work apart.
To get an understanding of the man behind the shots we spoke with FACES, and were able to convey Afro Nation from his perspective and why he captured what he did and in the way that he did.
Kamona: How was Afronation? How would you have described the whole vibe of the festival?
FACES: Afronation was an amazing experience; I was there in 2019 for the first one, and it was a whole different vibe which I loved. Because one thing I hate about festivals is that the same thing happens every year, you know what I am saying? But this year was special in its own way. Last time I came it was with an artist. This time I came, I was just by myself. I had the freedom to enjoy the festival and its amenities, you know? One of which was having a loctician. - And I'm like “What! This is crazy, man!” It was just full of surprises. And for me, I am not a big Amapiano fan, that is not my genre. BUT I have been CONVERTED.
“I am not a big Amapiano fan, that is not my genre. BUT I have been CONVERTED.”
K: THANK YOU! THANK YOU!– [I screamed out in joy]
F: I’ve been converted, I’m not gonna lie to you. It’s just infectious man. The energy is just infectious. The people man. Amapiano is just vibes. You see a next brudda next to you with a Zimbabwean flag and he is just showing you crazy love.
K: Mmmmhmm
F: Would have loved for a lot of the people I roll with back in London to kind of just have been there. Because I feel like Amapiano in my friendship group isn't the genre we play the most, but that experience would’ve converted them!
K: Amapiano is a genre rising to popularity right now. Why did you find it important to capture the artists and DJ’s that you did on the Piano People stage?
F: I just felt like it was something different. The way they were commanding the stage. Yo I felt like I needed to capture this! When I look at my page and what I am doing, for me it’s about capturing history and allowing it to be a visual book of how I perceive the world. You know what I mean? Those people I targeted were people that made a big impact on my Afronation experience specifically. For Uncle Waffles, I had the opportunity to go on stage with her. Like I was seeing the energy so close to the point where - It was CRAZY. Even the way she DJ’s it's like watching an anime.
“The way they were commanding the stage. Yo I felt like I needed to capture this! When I look at my page and what I am doing, for me it’s about capturing history and allowing it to be a visual book of how I perceive the world.”
F: It's like, yo the music and beats are taking over her body and doing what it pleases. She is so in tune with the music. The interaction with the crowd. The way she dances. She even had dancers on the stage. Being able to see all of that from the stage was crazy. I was right next to the DJ booth, so being that close to the magic, I told myself I need to shoot this girl after, as well as during. It was relatively easy. I shouldn’t have to really tell you that this is about your vibe and me capturing you in your purest form. and I was able to do that with her man. And ultimately the proof is in the pudding! It went viral straight away and I didn't even expect her to post it. That organic moment led her to mess with the content to that point, and she thought ‘LOOK I have the big up broski to that point because I look good too.’ And it captured how she, and a lot of people felt at Afronation. That was the vibe a lot of people were on. I would say the same with Tyla as well. And I was like YO. You guys are the future! And you are just so kind-hearted and you are not afraid to be yourself. And I feel that is what Amapiano has shown me; expressing yourself and individualism. And I shot these people in the same location, and if you look at the videos they are all on totally different vibes. And that is what I love, man.
“That is the vibe a lot of people were on. I would say the same with Tyla as well. And I was like YO. You guys are the future! And you are just so kind hearted and you are not afraid to be yourself. And I feel that is what Amapiano has shown me; expressing yourself and individualism.”
K: I want to ask you about the Piano people stage, and about the atmosphere. I could tie it in with what you have said before about Tape. How did the atmosphere at the Piano People stage differ from anywhere else that you have shot?
F: How did the atmosphere differ? I feel like it was a lot more welcoming. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of SHA SHA, she is a singer. She brought me on stage and everyone was greeting me and they were like “You want a drink, brother?” I felt like I was at a BBQ. That’s what I would say differs. It was welcoming. It is not about what I have done or who I am. No one came to me saying “What do you do?” “Who do you work with?” It was just Broski...Love! LETS VIBE. That was it, the whole time!
K: And that is what Amapiano is. It’s just vibes!
F: Even with Skylaa Tylaa, she is cool! I am excited to see where she goes and I definitely want to tap in with her again.
K: How did you feel It was for you attending the festival as a videographer?
F: I’m quite an introvert. I don’t really find it hard to chat to people, but I am more comfortable being in my own space. But what I noticed is that at Afronation there is no time for that. You know what I mean? Everyone is just tryna chat to you. Everyone is just tryna vibe with you. It's just infectious. You know what, it's crazy. Because as much as you’re saying “as a videographer” as of right now with the VHS I am not a videographer. I am just a person, because I am not walking around with big crazy equipment. I am just walking with my handycam in my right hand. Sometimes it’s in my bag. I was just rolling with guys. I met so many different groups of people. I was hanging out with guys from Norway for a bit, from Sweden, from France and from Angola. My experience was not that of a videographer, but more of a spectator. That is why and how I was able to capture it the way I did. I wasn’t trying to capture it as a videographer. This wasn’t footage I was trying to sell, I was just trying to show you what it was for me. And that is my whole ethos.
K: Now that you are converted to Amapiano - give me 1 word to describe Afronation. 1 word to describe Amapiano and 1 word to describe the Piano people stage.
F: The first Afronation; I would say... I would just say incredible man. Afronation was just INCREDIBLE. There was so much going on. If we are taking AMAPIANO: I would say INFECTIOUS. Because as soon as the music changes and you hear the drum patterns. You're like woah, this is crazy! And that is from both the stage and the crowd. Even from the pit. It goes crazy and the Piano People stage: I would say LEGENDARY, MAN! They don’t know what they DID! They do not know the magnitude of what they did. I am only 1 person and I am saying I have changed my perspective. Their whole stage is why I am saying what I am saying. I can only imagine the thousands of people that gathered there for the whole thing. Because I know there are people that did not move for the entire time that they were there. I can only imagine that will be in their history books.