7Fest is Here to Spotlight Dutch Creativity

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7Fest is Here to Spotlight Dutch Creativity

As a seasoned gamer of life who has been fortunate enough to attend 7Fest, I can confidently say that it is more than just a music festival – it’s a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and emerging talent. The energy at 7Fest is electric, with attendees from various ethnic backgrounds coming together in unity through the rhythm of music.

7Fest is for the community.

7Fest is an annual music festival established by Ghanaian-Dutch afrobeats artist Frenna and Moroccan-Dutch creative businessman Zakaria Ekhanza. This event draws more than 25,000 attendees each year and serves as a crucial stage for introducing rising African, Caribbean, and techno artists in the Netherlands. Notably, Burna Boy, who later achieved global fame in 2019, gave one of his early Dutch performances at 7Fest.

7Fest has been known as a lively mix of cultures ever since it began, attracting thousands of people from diverse ethnicities to dance throughout the weekend. The festival bridges the realms of music and fashion, evident in its ongoing collaboration with Daily Paper that has managed the festival’s energetic Afropiano stage for the past three years.

7Fest, an event focused on streetwear and African music genres like afrobeats, amapiano, afro house, and afro tech, welcomed Daily Paper as a participant shortly following the COVID-19 pandemic’s conclusion. Notable artists such as Uncle Waffles, Musa Keys, Tyla, 2bunnies, and DbnGogo were among those showcased by this Amsterdam-based brand.

Since establishing our brand, music, sports, and fashion have played significant roles in defining our cultural essence, according to Jefferson Osei, co-founder of Daily Paper. He also expressed that creating real-life experiences is an aspect we are deeply committed to, viewing them as valuable means to forge connections within our community. The opportunity to collaborate with a prominent artist in the nation, who shares a similar background with us, is something we greatly appreciated.

At 7Fest, our stage reflects the diverse musical preferences we share as a team and showcases our genuine connections with artists.

As the co-founder of Daily Paper, Jefferson Osei has played a significant role in shaping a brand that skillfully blends streetwear with his African roots, propelling it to international acclaim and fostering a devoted, groundswell following. “Our community grew naturally,” Osei emphasized. “The term ‘community’ is often tossed around today, but we have been cultivating ours since Daily Paper was established; by hosting events and exhibitions.”

“While I don’t believe having a community directly causes a brand to succeed, it certainly helps reveal the demographic and audience the brand serves. Our community, which has been with us since our inception, has served as a foundational element for us – it’s deeply ingrained in who we are and what we stand for on a global scale.”

7Fest’s creator, Frenna, considers the debut of his festival a significant cultural milestone in the Netherlands. In an interview with TopMob, he confides that before the establishment of 7Fest, no one like him in the Netherlands was organizing their own festival.

In her words, “At the start of the festival, approximately 7,000 people showed up. This year, however, we saw an impressive turnout of 25,000 attendees! And just as luck would have it, my newest album, ‘Pink Summer’, was released the day before the festival kicked off.”

“When I hit up a Daily Paper-selected gathering, I know I’m in for a musical melting pot, ranging from hip-hop and dancehall to afroswing and amapiano. Every beat pulses with the rhythm of who we are.”

In 2018, Frenna shattered the Dutch Spotify streaming record for a single day with his hit track ‘Verleden Tijd.’ This song dominated the Dutch charts for six consecutive weeks and by the end of 2019, Frenna achieved another milestone: he surpassed artists like Justin Bieber and The Weeknd to become the most streamed artist in the Netherlands.

The widespread popularity of Frenna’s music and his devoted fanbase in his native country have been essential building blocks for 7Fest’s achievements. Although the rapid expansion of this event is evident, Frenna emphasizes to TopMob that there is still much more undiscovered creative talent hidden within the Netherlands, waiting to be discovered by the world.

Frenna notes that Holland is brimming with diverse music, stating, “We’re quite versatile in this country, doing a multitude of things. There seems to be an abundance of styles and big hits that people would enjoy. It often feels like English music when you listen without visuals. There’s a wealth of music here that even I, among others, might not be fully aware of.”

7Fest’s enthusiasm for fostering community involvement and showcasing up-and-coming artists has been amplified by the arrival of Daily Paper. As Frenna puts it, “Daily Paper is massive; it’s almost like a phenomenon, it’s not just a clothing line, it’s a cultural movement.” This is why they featured the Afropiano stage at my festival. Daily Paper’s influence extends beyond fashion, much like Corteiz in the UK. They share the same dynamic energy.

“Imagining an English song with your eyes closed can make the experience much more vivid. There are many hidden aspects to this world that even I am unaware of.”

7Fest’s selection of Daily Paper embodies the spirit of the festival; it represents a gathering of kindred creative spirits, each driven by the shared ambition to offer an unforgettable event that allows attendees to unearth fresh, captivating music.

At 7Fest, the stage we’ve put together reflects the variety of music tastes we have in our office, showcasing our genuine connections with artists. As for Daily Paper events, whenever you join us, you can anticipate a mix of genres ranging from hip-hop and dancehall to afroswing and amapiano, all the way to afro house and afro tech. Each sound reflects who we are as an organization.

Following the wrap-up of 7Fest last month, I’m already envisioning next year’s event with Frenna and the Daily Paper crew. We’ve got some grand ideas brewing – bigger stages and an even more diverse lineup – so that the upcoming edition will serve as a strong representation of our cultural heritage while making a substantial impact on the Dutch festival scene. Our artistic endeavors aim to facilitate a dynamic exchange between continents, fostering a lively community and paving new avenues for European artists.

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2024-08-15 15:26