THE B-GLOBAL INDIGENOUS HIP HOP GATHERING 2019
by Bwette Gilbert Daniel, UG HIPHOP ARCHIVIST
As we gear up to celebrate 17 years of Hip Hop in Uganda it seemed only appropriate for us, the Hip Hop Community to introduce a unique gathering. Our aim is to develop beyond the local impact and to connect with the global networks. The B-Global Indigenous Hip Hop Gathering, as a forward thinking movement brand, will expand our usual tradition and celebrate the Hip Hop Voice of the youth in Uganda.
The Hip Hop Summit, now The B-Global Hip Hop Gathering, has been an on-going event for the last 17 years making it the longest running Hip Hop event in Uganda. The main aim of the Gathering is to promote the transformative values of Hip Hop culture in Uganda through the education and empowerment of the youth. We reconnect them to their voice of community peace building and positive awareness through music, art, tradition and culture. The B-Global Hip Hop Gathering targets the youth crowd, students, . It features live performances by top local Ugandan artists and International guest performers from the Global Hip Hop Community. The B-Global Hip Hop Gathering is not just about The Concert. The event which is usually one day is now a six day long event. The idea behind this is to impart knowledge spanning the five central elements of Hip Hop. This includes Workshops carried out by Ugandan Hip Hop icons, DJ Scratching demonstrations, B- Boy dance battles, a Graffiti display, Motivation speakers, Poets and a Hip Hop Fashion Show.
THE IMPACT OF OUR GATHERING – Over the last 17 years The B Global Hip Hop Gathering has brought new ideas to the music, tradition and culture of Uganda. Nurturing young talent to begin the process of celebrating not only themselves but their culture and heritage. Our impact has allowed young Voices to learn and be exposed to their Global Hip Hop Family and through doing so has expanded their minds to their own ability to change their communities through the power of Hip Hop, which dictates the evolvement of all in order to grow together and move out of poverty by seeding ideas and laying foundations for change. Our next step, due to its demand by the youth, is to expand and activate young Hip Hop leaders from Gulu, Mbale, Jinja, Arua and Kampala to come together under our umbrella and advocate in different arena’s for the betterment of their communities through the power of Hip Hop and it’s ability to expose the mind to creative methods of eliminating poverty and become pro active within communities opposed to a separatism which encourages degenerative behaviour. With Hip Hop being understood by the youth worldwide The B Global Hip Hop Gathering is proud to be the first organization in Uganda bringing Hip Hop as a tool for Social Change.
We are proud to be supported and Sponsored by Words Beats and life, one of the most powerful Hip Hop Organization based in Washington DC, their mission is to be unapologetic advocates for the transformative power of hip-hop culture in all its forms, empowering artists to relentlessly create and refine systems that demonstrate this notion of positive change through creativity. They embrace the sacred nature of their work and their roles as keepers and innovators of our culture. Their Vision is to replace misery with beauty by creating alternative arts based educational experiences that equip youth, arts managers and scholars to move from theory to practice. We harness the power of the imagination to reshape the lives we live and the communities we serve.
We will be hosting Queens-bred, LA based, internationally known Hip hop/soul artist, Dynasty, has the soul of a dreamer and the fearless determination to follow that dream wherever it might lead. DY has been blazing tracks and stages for years with a catalogue that includes tracks with DJ Premier, Talib Kweli, Skyzoo, Rapper Big Pooh, Apollo Brown and more. Influenced by gritty northern sounds and life’s adventures , she spits from the heart yet remains a beast on the mic. In fact, she was labeled a “spit queen” by the one and only DJ Premier.
She has rocked alongside some of the greatest on so many stages from Germany to France, Italy to Romania and beyond, performing and connecting with people of all ages and backgrounds. On top of that, she is a talented actress and she runs an arts-based youth empowerment program, The PUSH Project. There is no “set demographic” for D.Y., no gimmick, no crafted agenda aside from making beautifully raw music. Her authentic mass appeal transcends all boundaries.
We will also Shiro-One one of Japans renown graffiti Artist Shiro’s artwork is an exploration of classic New York urban history through the lens of an artist who reveres Hip Hop culture. Her character named “Mimi” is foreign and yet incredibly recognizable. Her artworks are prime examples of her fusion of both Japanese aesthetic and old-school New York graffiti art. Mimi has deeper meaning beyond the surface, she is emblematic of strength and femininity.
A formative time of Shiro-One was in her early 20’s. She worked as a nurse in Japan, a time she faced her patients and experienced end of life up-close while taking care of each one. Her practice as a nurse made her recognize that every life is limited. This pungent realization inspired her to travel all over the world and make her murals as her “Footsteps”.
She has traveled and made her mural to 18 countries and more to come. As the artist evolves her creative practice to include fashion, graphic design and fine art, she plans to build on what is now 21 years as an artist and engage in more community mural. In particular, to work directly with kids in slums and ghettos in the world. Her Motto is
“Love life and live it to the max. We exists RIGHT NOW, RIGHT HERE!”
We are proud to have a line up of most of Uganda’s Hip Hop Pioneer, Artists and Fans who will be gathering to share their story of the The Journey traveled in our efforts to keep Hip Hop Culture alive in Uganda.
On December 26th, We are inviting all artists, leaders, community organization and the corporate sector to come and celebrate with us on this powerful historical occasion dedicated to powering the future of hip hop in Uganda forward at Exo Lounge which is located on 2nd Street, Industrial Area Doors open at 2pm until 12:30am.