Afrofuturism

aka Afro-Tech, Black Futurism

established

"The future is Black"

A cultural aesthetic combining African diaspora culture with technology and science fiction, featuring bold patterns, futuristic elements, and African-inspired design.

Atmosphere

The sensory world of Afrofuturism

Neon-lit African cities, ancestral tech, rhythmic coding, holographic dashikis, cosmic connection

Philosophy

African heritage meets limitless futures. Technology is ancestral. Black excellence is inevitable. The past and future are one.

Who Lives Here

The character archetypes that embody Afrofuturism

The Griot Hacker

The Ancestral Futurist

The Tech Shaman

The Space Traveler

What It Rejects

Afrofuturism exists in opposition to:

Cultural erasure

Eurocentric futurism

Monochrome futures

Colonized imagination

Daily Rituals

The practices and behaviors that define this way of living

Code-switching as power

Afro-tech meditation

Ancestral tech rituals

Community building

Origin

Rooted in 1970s literature and music, gaining mainstream fashion recognition through Black Panther (2018) and artists like Janelle Monáe and Solange.

Era

1970s-Present (Fashion peak: 2018-Present)

Regions

Lagos, Johannesburg, Brooklyn, London, Global

Trend Score

84

Key Elements

Key Garments

  • African print fabrics
  • Metallic accents
  • Geometric jewelry
  • Tech-inspired accessories
  • Bold headwraps
  • Futuristic sunglasses
  • Statement jackets

Silhouettes

  • Bold
  • Sculptural
  • Dramatic

Color Palette

Rich African colors meet metallic futurism

Primary Colors

Gold
Black
Royal blue

Secondary Colors

Orange
Green

Accent Colors

Metallic silver
Bronze

Key Brands

Tongoro
luxurycore
Lisa Folawiyo
luxurycore
Ozwald Boateng
luxuryadjacent
Dent de Man
indiecore

Materials

Ankara fabricMetallicsLeatherTech fabricsTraditional African textiles

Cultural Context

Celebration of African heritage while imagining technological futures. Resistance to erasure through speculative world-building and cultural pride.

Associated Music

AfrobeatJazzElectronicHip-Hop

Core Relationships

Influenced By

African culture
Science Fiction
Tech culture

Influences

Black Panther
Sun Ra
Octavia Butler
African traditions

Related Cores

Cyberpunk
Avant-Garde
Last updated: January 17, 2026