Chance the Rapper and VicMensa have partnered with United Airlines to offer flight discounts to Ghana more accessible for their newly announced “Black Star Line Festival”, according to The Shade Room (TSR).
The West African festival is on January 6, 2023, in the historic Black Star Square. It aims to connect Black artists from around the world with the continent of Africa. The music event promises a day of music, art, food, and education. Also, besides Chance the Rapper and VIC MENSA, the star-studded line-up includes T-Pain, Sarkodie, M.anifest, Asakaa Boys, and more.
According to TSR, United is offering a 5-10% discount off published airfares to and from Accra, Ghana, from December 15, 2022 to January 17, 2023. Flight discounts to Ghana will differ depending on the market and booking class. This offer applies to flights departing from North America, Europe, India, the Middle East, Central America, South America, Asia (excluding Japan), and the South Pacific.
Chance The Rapper and Mensa announced the festival last summer after spending several weeks in Ghana with eight Chicago students. They brought them there to learn about their roots in an experiential setting. It was the couple’s second trip there this year. The music and arts festival aims to connect Black artists from around the world with the continent of Africa.
The festival’s name was inspired by Marcus Garvey’s iconic Black Star Line speech. The line connects the Caribbean, and Africa to global shipping and tourism opportunities. In homage to Garvey, the Ghanaian government launched their fleet with the same name nearly 40 years later.
Ghanaian Roots
As Travel Noire reported, 2022 reportedly marked the rapper’s, first travel to Ghana. He, whose real name is Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, was joined by other celebrities, including Vic Mensa, King Promise, and M.anifest.
My Joy Online reports that Bennett along with the other musicians met with Ghana’s President Akufo-Addo to discuss how they could help bridge the gap between American and Ghanaian artists.
In addition to the meeting, Chance appeared to have the time of his life in Ghana, where his family has roots. He visited a church that his family built. According to multiple reports, the rapper revealed that his family built a school in Jamestown years ago.