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GREENWOOD Dist. — Steph Simon, hailing from Black Wall Street, takes center stage as the primary headliner of the 2024 Tulsa Mayfest, kicking off on May 10th. This marks a significant milestone for the Tulsa-native artist, particularly noteworthy since signing with Motown Records back in 2021 and Rolling Stone interview after the release of “Fire in Little Africa”.
“It feels like a full circle moment. I feel like I’ve done my job as an artist not only as a performing artist who’s making music but as an artist who wanted to push hip-hop forward and push hip-hop to the forefront at Tulsa Mayfest”, Steph Simon told The Black Wall Street Times. “I’m happy as hell to be at Tulsa Mayfest, and I know I’m a strong core reason why hip-hop is at [Tulsa] Mayfest,” he added.
Transforming Tulsa Mayfest into a Showcase of Local Talent and Cultural Richness
Tulsa Mayfest has traditionally celebrated music and arts. However, this year, it’s embracing musical and cultural diversity. With its lineup boasting the largest array of local Tulsa-based talent to date, including the inaugural inclusion of hip-hop artists led by Steph Simon. Now, the festival is showcasing the vibrancy of the city’s wide array creativity.
This focus on bolstering local arts mirrors Tulsa’s wider strategy to revitalize the city, enticing both tourists and prosperous visitors. This, in turn, sparks economic expansion by boosting tax revenue.
Although Steph Simon has previously graced Mayfest’s stage, notably performing in 2002 at the FC Tulsa Stage on Guthrie Green as one of the local talents, this year marks a significant return. Now headlining, he’ll take to the Guthrie Green stage on Saturday, May 11th, closing the night with his performance commencing at 9 PM. Additionally, his students from TMC Records will showcase their talents on Friday, May 10th, also at Guthrie Green, with their performance scheduled for 4 PM.
Evolution of Mayfest: From Jubilee ’73 to Tulsa International Mayfest – A Legacy of Music and Arts
Tulsa Mayfest was initiated in 1973 by the Tulsa Junior League as Jubilee ’73. The organization financed the event to celebrate the league’s 50th anniversary. Subsequent festivals, sponsored by the Tulsa Arts and Humanities Council and Downtown Tulsa Unlimited, were known as Festival ’74 to Festival ’77.
In 1978, the name changed to the Tulsa International Mayfest. Nationally known performers, including Sammy Davis, Jr., Three Dog Night, and Blood, Sweat, and Tears, have appeared at the event.
Other headliners for Mayfest include Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter John Fullbright, brass band King Cabbage, and country singer Joleen Brown. Moreover, Oklahoma City-born singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Josh Fudge, founder and Director of Meow Wolf art collective Vince Kadlubek, country singer Willie Jones. And last but not least three-time Native American Music Award winner and an Indigenous Music Award winner Samantha Crain from Oklahoma.
Dates, Times, and Location of the 2024 Tulsa Mayfest Celebration
The 2024 festival is on May 10-12, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, located in downtown Tulsa. The festival will include art and vendors. Admission is free to the public.
Go to Full Schedule — Mayfest (tulsamayfest.org) to see the full schedule.