BALTIMORE, MD.  — Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young joins Baltimore City Recreation & Parks (BCRP) to announce the 2019 AFRAM Festival talent lineup. Set to take the stage this year are national recording artists Sevyn Streeter and Rick Ross on Saturday, August 10 with R&B legends, Teddy Riley plus Guy and Wreckx-n-Effect and Baltimore’s own, Dru Hill taking the stage on Sunday, August 11. The 2019 festival returns to the historic Druid Hill Park for its 43rd year.

“The AFRAM Festival remains Baltimore’s premier family-oriented celebration of African-American culture, community and performance art,” said Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young. “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.”

About this year’s performers:

August 10, 2019

Sevyn Streeter

Sevyn Streeter is an American singer and songwriter, best known for being a member of the girl groups TG4 and RichGirl where she was known as Se7en. She signed to Atlantic Records and released her debut single “I Like It” in 2012. She has written hit songs for artists such as Chris Brown, K. Michelle, Usher, Kelly Rowland, Ariana Grande, Trey Songz, Alicia Keys, Fantasia, Brandy, and Tamar Braxton.

Rick Ross

Rick Ross, is an American rapper, entrepreneur and record executive. Ross released his debut album Port Of Miami at the top spot on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart, with sales of 187,000 units during the first week. He released his second studio album, Trilla in 2008, once again debuting atop the Billboard 200. In 2009, Ross founded the record label Maybach Music Group, on which he released his studio albums Deeper Than Rap (2009), Teflon Don (2010), God Forgives, I Don't (2012), Mastermind, Hood Billionaire (2014), Black Market (2015), and Rather You Than Me (2017). Ross was also the first artist signed to Diddy's management company Ciroc Entertainment. In early 2012, MTV named Ross as the Hottest MC in the Game.

August 11, 2019

Teddy Riley

Teddy Riley is an innovator credited with creating New Jack Swing, a genre of music whose influence permeated musical categories including, contemporary R&B, Hip-Hop, Gospel, Soul and Pop. Since the early 1980s, Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum mega-producer Teddy Riley continues to remain a relevant force in entertainment. Companies including Yamaha, PreSonus, and AKAI have benefited from his technical expertise lending to the creative properties in some of their products which have been major contributions on today's ever-evolving market. For more than 30 years Teddy Riley’s career has embodied ingenuity as a recording artist, songwriter, producer, composer, arranger, engineer, music and technology expert and world music trailblazer. With over 1000 credits to his name, the musical icon has been inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame and was recently awarded the Soul Train Legend award for his works in creating The New Jack Swing Era of music whose impact changed the sound of R&B indelibly.

Guy

Guy is an American hip hop, R&B and soul group. Guy was formed in Harlem, New York in 1987 by R&B singer-songwriters Teddy Riley, Aaron Hall, and Timmy Gatling. Riley and Gatling were childhood friends growing up in Harlem and previously collaborated in the band Kids At Work. Hall was recruited to join what would become Guy. As well as writing songs for their own group, Riley and Hall collaborated on other songwriting and production projects, including Bobby Brown's “My Prerogative”; and Johnny Kemp's "Just Got Paid."

Wreckx-n-Effect

Wreckx-n-Effect is an American new jack swing group from Harlem, New York City who are best known for their multi-platinum hit “Rump Shaker” in 1992, produced by Teddy Riley.

Dru Hill

Founded in 1992 as “14K Harmony," the group evolved to become “Dru Hill" in 1996, engraving itself into the legacy of R&B music and bringing a dynamic sound to the ever-changing industry. Known for hits like “Tell Me,” “In My Bed,” “Never Make a Promise,” and “How Deep Is Your Love,” the group has given the world music for the ages. As the dynamic quartet gears up to celebrate their 20th Anniversary, it’s clear that they’ve just gotten started. In celebration of their journey thus far, the group has exciting surprises in store for its expanding fan base everywhere. Recording new material and continuously performing at sold-out venues around the globe, Dru Hill continues to solidify its legacy as one of the greatest groups of all time.

“Those who attended the 2018 AFRAM know that we brought something truly magical to Druid Hill Park and we are excited to do so again this year,” said Reginald Moore, executive director of Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. “We are constantly thinking of ways to make this festival bigger and better and we can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store.”
The Baltimore AFRAM Festival is presented by Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young and the City of Baltimore. The Festival officially started in 1976 as a part of Baltimore City’s Showcase of Nations. The multi-generational, two-day live
experience is slated to bring together the most dynamic voices in music, art and creativity.

The AFRAM Festival is free and open to guests of all ages.

Attendees are encouraged to follow AFRAM on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for real-time updates and visit aframbaltimore.com for more details.