1st African Global Hip Hop Summit- Johannesburg

UN-Habitat understands the power of hip hop as a major communication tool in the worst urban ghettos on the planet. It has grabbed the challenge of getting the main public, private and local decision makers to discover the positive and constructive aspects of hip hop and to work directly with and for the urban youth.

Last year during the World Urban Forum in Barcelona the Messengers of Truth Programme was launched with 10 socially committed hip hop bands from all over the world. This created a unique artistic, cultural and social event followed the next day by an amazing discussion around a Declaration of Principles and Call for Action. One of the most striking positive forces present were the South Africans who then decided to set the 1st Global African Summit.

Native Rhythm Productions run by Sipho Sithole, who is also one of the directors of the biggest South African record company Gallo Music Group, has organised this Global hip hop summit and the Concert for Youth Under Siege in partnership with UN-Habitat. It is mobilizing all the media and local authorities, not only to help raise awareness and funding needed in support of local youth development initiatives, but also to highlight hip hop as a social and political movement and as a socio-economic power. The discussions are targeting the hottest and most painful subjects affecting African youth such as war, HIV and urban ghettos as well as professional development issues.

The panels, exhibitions, showcases, films and games give another (and lighter) platform for expression and promotion.

Finally, the Concert For Youth Under Siege is bringing together artists from all over Africa: Breeze, Young Nations, Zuluboy, Hip hop Pantsula, Pro Verb, Pro Kid and Tumi & the Volume fom South Africa; Randy P and Lady B from Cameroon; Gidigidi Majimaji from Kenya. Kohinoor from Bangladesh; DJ Awadi (ex Positive Black Soul) from Senegal; Emmanuel Jal from Sudan and K'Naan from Somalia/Canada. Guru will conclude this Party with a Purpose.