Headliners announced for second Juneteenth Jubilee festival in downtown Fayetteville
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A Fayetteville native’s funk and disco band will perform as one of the headlining acts at the second annual Juneteenth Jubilee next month, the Cool Springs Downtown District announced Thursday.
The Jubilee will take place in Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville on June 17 and 18, according to a news release. A celebration of Black culture and history, the Juneteenth Jubilee festival began last year as part of a collaboration between the Cool Springs Downtown District, Cumulus Media and Circa 1865, a nonprofit founded by Spring Lake Mayor Kia Anthony.
This year’s festival features a 1970s Throwback theme, according to organizers. In the spirit of the 1970s theme, three funk and soul acts were selected for the festival’s headlining acts, according to the Downtown District’s release.
The Fatback Band
The Fatback Band, founded in Fayetteville in 1966 by Bill “Fatback” Curtis, will serve as the festival’s opening headline act, according the release.
“Disco pioneers with a sound that merged jazz and funky beats with a touch of West Indies & Caribbean style, the Fatback Band has released more than 35 albums of original material infused with every imaginable genre of music, from jazz, funk, R&B, disco, rap, and all eras of soul,” the release said.
In a March 2020 interview with The Fayetteville Observer, Curtis, a drummer and percussionist, estimated The Fatback Band’s music has been sampled in other artists’ songs at least 35 times since the band’s founding. One notable example came in 2018 when singer Chaka Khan sampled portions of The Fatback Band’s 1975 song “(Are You Ready) Do the Bus Stop” in her single “Like Sugar,” which garnered 38 million views on YouTube.
The Fatback Band is also thought to have released the first rap record in hip-hop history with its song “King Tim III (Personality Jock),” which was released five months before the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight,” the track more popularly cited as the first rap record.
Rose Royce and Tye Tribbett
The first day of the festival will be closed out by Grammy Award-winning soul and R&B group Rose Royce, according to the release.
Known for their soundtrack for the movie “Car Wash,” the band’s songs have been covered by artists like Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and Seal, the release said.
Day Two of the festival will feature Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Tye Tribbett, according to the release. Tribbett’s career spans more than two decades and includes collaborations with artists like Faith Hill, India Arie and Snoop Dogg, the release said.
Known as the “Elvis of Gospel,” Tribbett is both a musician and a pastor in Orlando, Florida, according to the release.
“Tribbett’s musical sound ranges from high-energy praise songs to intimate worship moments, from African rhythms to trap gospel beats, showcasing unique and passionate artistry at its best,” the release said.
Beyond the music
In addition to the festival’s headlining acts, Juneteenth Jubilee attendees can also expect to enjoy food from more than 20 local food trucks, dozens of local vendors and information and resources from local nonprofits, organizers said.
“With an estimated 100+ vendors, the second annual Juneteenth Jubilee guarantees something for everyone as we gather to celebrate freedom and (comm)unity,” the release said.
Related: Juneteenth Jubilee to celebrate the ’70s with funk, soul, gospel and roller skating
Bounce houses, yard games and card games will also be available in a gaming area for those with children, according to the release.
A Black history trolley and outdoor roller-skating rink are two new features of the Jubilee this year, organizers said. Skates will be provided for the skating rink, and the “Can You Dig It Trolley” will offer a tour discussing Black Fayetteville in the 1970s, according to a news release.
Public safety reporter Lexi Solomon can be reached at ABSolomon@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fatback Band one of three headlining acts for Juneteenth Jubilee
