Afrofuturism: The genre that made Black Panther

By Chris Giles, CNN

Updated 1833 GMT (0233 HKT) February 12, 2018

The cultural aesthetic has its roots in African-American art and music, but is experiencing a renaissance. Artists such as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/davidalabo/" target="_blank">David Alabo</a>, who's based in Accra and who's work is featured in this gallery, are creating new futuristic worlds.

Photos: Afrofuturist artists

Afrofuturism – The cultural aesthetic has its roots in African-American art and music, but is experiencing a renaissance. Artists such as David Alabo, who's based in Accra and who's work is featured in this gallery, are creating new futuristic worlds.

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It places African people, culture and tradition at its center. It began in the twentieth century with artists like Sun Ra drawing on African cosmology and sci-fi. Now, Black Panther has brought it into the mainstream.

Photos: Afrofuturist artists

Afrofuturism – It places African people, culture and tradition at its center. It began in the twentieth century with artists like Sun Ra drawing on African cosmology and sci-fi. Now, Black Panther has brought it into the mainstream.

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"I seek to draw my audience from reality into a strange world that fuses space, big cats, serene landscapes and the African diaspora," David Alabo told CNN.

Photos: Afrofuturist artists

Afrofuturism – "I seek to draw my audience from reality into a strange world that fuses space, big cats, serene landscapes and the African diaspora," David Alabo told CNN.

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Photos: Afrofuturist artists

Afrofuturism – Popular singers such as Beyoncé and Rihanna have also drawn on Afrofuturism as an influence.

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Fikayo Adeola, founder of animation company Kugali, said: "Afrofuturism was a tool that they could use to imagine a better future, and the movement continued into the contemporary era."

Photos: Afrofuturist artists

Afrofuturism – Fikayo Adeola, founder of animation company Kugali, said: "Afrofuturism was a tool that they could use to imagine a better future, and the movement continued into the contemporary era."

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"I got into Afrofuturism from a desire to create art that showcases African culture through surrealism, seeing as there was not enough work in that field," David Alabo told CNN.

Photos: Afrofuturist artists

Afrofuturism – "I got into Afrofuturism from a desire to create art that showcases African culture through surrealism, seeing as there was not enough work in that field," David Alabo told CNN.

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The following visuals are created by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lost_intheisland/" target="_blank">Kaylan F. Michael</a> under the moniker of Lost In The Island, who is a Canadian-based artist and graphic designer. "Self-expression got me interested in Afrofuturism."

Photos: Afrofuturist artists

Afrofuturism – The following visuals are created by Kaylan F. Michael under the moniker of Lost In The Island, who is a Canadian-based artist and graphic designer. "Self-expression got me interested in Afrofuturism."

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Kaylan's work explores themes of spirituality, feminity and humanity with an African touch. Afrofuturistic, abstract and spiritual are words that best describe her style. "Afrofuturism is a style where I can freely express myself; being also originally from Africa, I felt that this is the style where I can address certain issues based on my perspective and my experiences with the audience," Michael told CNN.

Photos: Afrofuturist artists

Afrofuturism – Kaylan's work explores themes of spirituality, feminity and humanity with an African touch. Afrofuturistic, abstract and spiritual are words that best describe her style. "Afrofuturism is a style where I can freely express myself; being also originally from Africa, I felt that this is the style where I can address certain issues based on my perspective and my experiences with the audience," Michael told CNN.

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Photos: Afrofuturist artists

Afrofuturism – The term Afrofuturism was first coined in 1993 Mark Dery in an essay "Black to the Future."

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Photos: Afrofuturist artists

Afrofuturism – The style combines science fiction, magical realism and African influences.

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(CNN)Finally, Marvel has a black superhero movie -- and the world of social media has said it's lit.

Black Panther, set in the near-futuristic fictional African nation of Wakanda, is a captivating Afro-vision. A world of monorails, flying cars and medical marvels -- all made possible by the discovery of vibranium, a superpower metal.

The film reimagines history. Wakanda is a secretive African country that was never colonized and is the most advanced nation in the world.