Black Love Project

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The Griot: CounterPoint Music Festival

counterpointThis past weekend, I was able to attend CounterPoint Music Festival in Kingston Downs, Georgia as a part of my research. This was not my first time going to a music festival, but as always the thing I was most excited was the loving environment I was going to be in. What better place to study love than at a music festival?Music festivals have the ability to bring out the best in people. There is something about tens of thousands of bodies congregating on large fields with music and friends and sometimes an illicit drug or two that brings out the friendliest disposition. You find people who are willing to help you for the sake of helping; because in that weekend you are their comrade within festival trenches. Anyone who has attended a music festival understands how run down you are by the end of it; your body aches and you're tired and you haven't properly showered in days. But you are happy you went and made a few new friends along the way.This was my first year attending CountPoint and I was not disappointed. We did not venture into the traditional festival route of camping, but I can't say I wasn't glad to have a hot shower and duvet to sleep under every night. The largest draw for me was of course the return of OutKast to Georgia clay, but the festival's lineup also included other amazing acts like Janelle Monae, J. Cole, Phantogram, Major Lazer, Deep Cotton, Rubblebucket, Run the Jewels, etc., etc., etc. An overall great location, lineup and atmosphere less than an hour away from Atlanta.Take a look below at some of the wonderful people I met and observed. And stay tuned for concert reviews (Outkast!) and stories of love. chief&bearylchiefbearylName: Sarah (Bearyl)Hometown: Auburn, GeorgiaAge: 28Age You First Fell in Love: 16Love Is: Full acceptance of another. Matthew just gets me. He's a provider, he's manly and takes care of me. He lets me be myself, he lets me be my true spirit and doesn't stifle me. He's good for my spirit.Name: Matthew (Chief)Hometown: Little Rock, ArkansasAge: 30Age You First Fell in Love: 16Love Is: Unconditional. Through the good times and the bad. She loves me through my faults.On our first day there, I ran into this sweet couple, Matthew and Sarah (Chief and Bearyl) as they stood behind me in line at will call. I remember Sarah distinctly because she had a very distinct southern accent and kept calling Matthew baby, as is the southern woman's habit. I'd walked ahead of my friends and began the trek towards the entrance of the festival. A car slowed down behind me and asked if I'd like a ride. Lo and behold and it was Matthew and Sarah, who were married the weekend prior to CounterPoint. There was a bit of a traffic jam, so they got out the truck and we drank a beer and talked a bit. I thought it fitting to ask them about love. As the conversation continued, you could tell that they loved each other, as they were very open about how much they loved one another. "Tell her what you thought when you saw me, baby.", Sarah said when I asked if she knew she was going to marry him. "I knew [I was going to marry her] as soon as I saw her.", Matthew replied instantly, "There were four of us at table, the day we met, and we instantly connected, it was like it was just the two of us there.", Sarah completes the story. I rode with them until they reached their destination and we said our goodbyes. "Call us if you need anything.", Matthew yelled out his window. That is the spirit of music festivals and CounterPoint was no exception.J. Cole on the Blu Freedom Stage, April 26.Janelle Monae on stage with Andre 3000 during his performance of "Hey Ya"Janelle Monae, Blu Freedom Stage, April 26.young love.Adam Dotson (left) and Alex Toth of Brooklyn band Rubblebucket (Hillside Stage, April 26.)Ashish Vyas, bassist for Thievery CorporationRun the Jewels (Killer Mike and EL-P,  Blu Freedom Stage, April 27.)Rich Homie Quan (Steeple Stage, April 25.)kidsofamerica2kidsofamerica3kidsofamericafaces