Fulbright-mtvU Fellows

Hip-Hop IS My Passport…

Happy New Year! Sydney is one of the first places in the world that welcomes the new year, so the whole area becomes abuzz in anticipation of the New Years Eve festivities, which include the world-renown fireworks celebration. Since my arrival, a slew of notable folks from the entertainment world have visited Sydney; Kanye West premiered his movie at the Opera House… or should I say Oprah House? Yes, Oprah was here with 300+ guests. No I did not get to see her, but I did get a chance to see U2. Their special guest was Jay-Z. (No, Beyonce didn’t perform, but she and Jay-Z were spotted around Sydney). U2 and Jay-Z performed before a sold out 80,000 seat stage at the Olympic Park Stadium. The music was fantastic. In the middle of the concert, Bono introduced a clip designed for the concert featuring Bishop Dr. Desmond Tutu, which called attention to political refugees all over the world. So it was a night of hip-hop, global activism, and world music at its best.
› Continue reading

Tags: Beyonce, Bishop Dr. Desmond Tutu, Brotherblack, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lystick, Morgan Lewis, Morganics, Oprah, U2

Why Hip Hop???

In addition to my focus on strengthening the Hip Hop Therapy Project, I was also interested in learning more about why young people in northern Uganda were drawn to Hip Hop music and culture. I informally interviewed approximately 20-25 youth participating in the Hip Hop Therapy Project. Most of the young people I spoke to were young men between the ages of 14 and 18. I asked each of them the following questions:

• What do you like about Hip Hop?
• What do you dislike about Hip Hop?
• How did you first hear about Hip Hop?
• Who is your favorite Hip Hop artist and why?
• What influence do you think Hip Hop has on young people in northern Uganda?
› Continue reading

Tags: 50 Cent, Akon, Breakdance Project Uganda!, Chris Brown, Fabulous, Fat Joe, Hip Hop Therapy Project, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Michael Jackson, Ne-Yo, P-Square, R. Kelly, Rick Ross, Snoop Dog, Tupac, Uganda, Usher

Makin’ Beats and Breakin’ it Down!

On May 23, 2009, I organized a “Back to School Breakdance Challenge” for the youth participating in the Hip Hop Therapy Project. The purpose of this show was to provide these youth with an opportunity to showcase their skills and talent and to reward them for their hard work and dedication. It also served as the official launch of Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU) in Gulu. The event was a success with 200-300 people in attendance and fifty youth ranging in age from 8-20 years old performing and competing in the following categories:
› Continue reading

Tags: Breakdance Project Uganda!, Common, Crazy Legs, Hip Hop Therapy Project, Kanye West, K’Naan, Nabil Elderkin, Rock Steady Crew