A1 Chops, the local duo who went viral with their videos combining ridiculous polyrhythmic drumming and synchronized dancing, have been added to the lineup for this year’s AFRAM Festival.
R&B singer Kiana Ledé and a slate of Bad Boy Records artists–Quincy Brown, Niko Brim, Christian “King” Combs and Justin Combs–are also joining the bill.
“The AFRAM Festival remains Baltimore’s premier family-oriented celebration of African-American culture, community and performance art,” Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young said in a statement. “We invite not just Baltimoreans but everyone, young and old, to come experience a jam-packed weekend that honors the unique experience of African-Americans in Baltimore. Our city’s culture of black excellence is no secret and we are happy to have this annual event to display and celebrate it.”
Comprised of Timothy Fletcher and Malik Perry, A1 Chops made national waves when a video of Fletcher performing along to Ciara’s “Level Up” became a smash hit. Fletcher and Perry were invited to perform on “The Ellen Show” last September.
And when the duo was brought back a second time to share details about their after-school program, host Ellen DeGeneres surprised them with a digital series, “The Build Up,” and an apartment with a year’s rent covered.
In May, the city announced that rapper Rick Ross, Baltimore-born legends Dru Hill, R&B singer Sevyn Streeter and new jack swing pioneers Wreckx-n-Effect and Guy would headline this year’s festival, which is scheduled for Aug. 10-11.
