MAAFA ANNOUNCES LONG-AWAITED DEBUT ALBUM ‘BECAUSE WE ARE’

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (May 19, 2023) – Hardcore punk trailblazers MAAFA have emerged from the wreckage of the past half-decade since their 2017 Demo EP to announce their long-awaited debut full-length album, titled Because We Are, slated for release on Juneteenth this year (June 19, 2023). Prepare to be engulfed in a vortex of raw energy and unyielding spirit as MAAFA, the groundbreaking self-dubbed ‘Afro-Progressive Hardcore’ punk ensemble, begins the reckoning with their first single, “Deficit.” With a careful composition of crushing guitars, ecstatic percussion, and unapologetic lyricism, MAAFA sets a new benchmark for not just the hardcore punk scene, but for the heavy music landscape as a whole.

Embarking on a journey that transcends musical boundaries, MAAFA has captivated audiences around the globe, leaving a trail of awe and inspiration in their wake. At the helm of this sonic revolution is Afro-Brazilian bassist Flora Lucini, the band’s founder, composer, and vocalist. Her indomitable presence in bands has spread throughout the hardcore punk scenes of Washington, DC, New York, and beyond for the past two decades.

Because We Are stands as a testament to MAAFA’s unyielding determination and their unwavering commitment to their craft. This highly anticipated album serves as a manifesto of their resilience, taking listeners on an introspective pilgrimage through the depths of the human experience. From the gut-wrenching cries of discontent to the empowering anthems of solidarity, each track unravels a different layer of the band’s artistic prowess.

To set the stage for their forthcoming masterpiece, MAAFA unleashes the electrifying single “Deficit” from Because We Are. A sonic onslaught that reverberates through the veins, “Deficit” serves as a mere taste of the immersive journey that awaits within the album’s depths. With razor-sharp guitars, thunderous drums, and Lucini’s commanding vocals, the single is a blood pact of things to come.

Because We Are Track Listing:

1. Origém (Intro)
2. Welfare
3. Deficit
4. Libation
5. A Luta Continua (Interlude)
6. Filha Da Luta
7. Not Your Exotic
8. For The Culture (ft. Christylez Bacon)
9. Dichotomy
10. Blindspot

Release Date: June 19, 2023
Record Label: Fuzz Therapy Records

About MAAFA:

The word ‘Maafa,’ Swahili for “disaster” or “catastrophe,” has been used by scholars and activists for decades to refer to the transatlantic slave trade and its resulting impact on the African diaspora. Hardcore punk outfit MAAFA adopted the moniker to both acknowledge the impact of that era, and also reshape it, to make it a signpost for the subversive message and sonic onslaught the band has become known for.

Based in Brooklyn, its roots in Washington, D.C., MAAFA is expanding the limits of the hardcore punk genre across all state lines with their masterful infusion of traditional African instrumentation. The results are fierce and raw: captivating rhythms underscore sophisticated, layered strings with the trademark abrasiveness of D.C. and N.Y. Hardcore. Guiding these arrangements are band leader and vocalist Flora Lucini’s poignant lyrics. Moving from Brazil to Washington, D.C., and eventually settling in New York, Flora’s trajectory in life carried her across political and geographical boundaries. Throughout these different environments, a few things remained shined through in their importance: the power of pedagogy, music, and resistance.

Through their fiery blend of sophisticated musical arrangement, heaviness of hardcore, and defiant lyricism, MAAFA has amassed a devoted following. Their growing fanbase is captivated by their unique blend of genres and uncompromising artistry. With an incendiary stage presence, their performances leave audiences spellbound and yearning for more; with their message, their platform inspires audiences to act.

MAAFA Online:

Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify Artist Link

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For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Lance Marwood
President & Co-Founder of V13 Promotions