Tag: octopizzo
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Kilos On Kilos – Octopizzo
Henry Ohanga, stage name Octopizzo, is a big name in the rap industry. His art is primarily influenced by his childhood in the slums of Kibera, Nairobi. He uses his platform through his music and his non-profit Octopizzo Foundation to give youths and refugees the opportunities and resources to explore their creativity. In his music,…
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Tom Mboya – by Octopizzo
Octopizzo utilizes his originality and unique dope flow to honor the great Thomas Joseph Odhiambo Mboya. This musical statement uses diction, relevant subject matter, cadence, lyricism, wordplay, poetry, creativity, social consciousness, and culture to tell a story. His audio and video presentation takes the audience on a journey through his personal lens and visions. Octopizzo…
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HHAP Episode 57: Octopizzo on Hip Hop, Refugees, and POlice Brutality in Kenya
An MC, activist, and actor, Octopizzo was born in Nairobi, in the notorious Kibera slums, one of the largest slums in the world. His mixtape and album releases include: The Come Up V 1 (2008; Mixtape), El Classico (2014; Mixtape), Chocolate City (2014; album), LDPC (2015; album), Refugeenius (2016, album), and Next Year (2018; album).…
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Octopizzo: Changing the narrative of young refugees from the Kibera slums
Born in one of the largest slums of the world in Kibera, Nairobi, Henry Ohanga also known as “Octopizzo”, is set to change the narrative of residents of such areas. After completing his secondary school education, Octopizzo took computing courses, worked as an electrician and an actor, before diving into hip hop music and youth…
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Octopizzo’s “Nu Afrika”
In 2017, Kenyan rapper and youth activist Octopizzo released “Nu Afrika”, a single that came about as a result of the extremely violent rioting and political unrest in Kenya. Kenya was undergoing a brutal change of regime following the presidential election results. Before releasing “Nu Afrika”, Octopizzo (Henry Ohanga) spoke to his hometown Kibera, which…
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Octopizzo’s Quest for Hip Hop Greatness
In the video for his 2016 track “Prezidential,” Kenyan hip hop artist Henry Ohanga—more commonly known in musical communities as Octopizzo—communicates his desire for artistic and cultural eminence. Rapping in Swahili, Ohanga skillfully blends themes of Kenyan culture with the broader world, showcasing his unique talents and aspirations. Intercut between scenes of Ohanga dancing through…
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From the Slums to Fame and Inspiration
Background Henry Ohanga is a youth activist and hip hop artist. You may not know him under this name but by the end of this blog you will know who he is not only by his born name but also his more known stage name, Octopizzo. Octopizzo was born in Kibera. Kibera is is a…