UN Backs Azanian (South African) Hip-Hop Summit

[XXPANTHAXX]

By Nolan Strong
Date: 10/19/2005 2:22 pm



The United Nations will host the first ever Global Hip-Hop Summit in South Africa tomorrow (Oct. 20) in an effort to achieve their Millennium Development Goals.

The UN’s Millennium Development Goals include the upliftment of millions of youth around the world using Hip-Hop music.

The summit will take place in various areas of The Newtown Precinct and will gather Hip-Hop artists, activists and members of society to debate and discuss matters relevant to the Hip-Hop community.

American rapper Guru of Gangstarr fame will headline a concert associated with the event on Friday (Oct. 20) in Newtown Park, supported by artists from Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, the U.S., Bangladesh and Cameroon.

“This is an exciting moment in the South African music industry - indeed in the hip-hop industry worldwide,� said event coordinator Sipho Sithole of Native Rhythms Productions. “We’ve literally gathered an impressive array of the genre’s most relevant voices who have taken ownership of the discussion on youth issues. The next two days are going to be fascinating, challenging and a real educational journey!�

A mini-film festival will also take place during the two day Global Hip-Hop Summit, will feature such names as Beatmaker, Yfm’s Lee Khasumba, Tbo Touch of Metro FM, DJ Awadi, K’naan, Tumi & the Volume, Zuluboy and Sudanese rapper and child soldier-rights activist Emmanuel Jal.

The UN developed eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that include halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, extreme poverty, providing universal primary education and others, by 2015.

[Raha]

Greetings Brother Pantha!

Thanks for this article. I hope that much gets accomplished at the summit.

Peace!