HIP-HOP TOOK A STAND AT ‘STATE OF THE UNION FORUM’ OF STR8 UP HIP-HOP

The Panelists

It was indeed an enlightening session for Hip-Hop lovers and enthusiasts who gathered on the 23^rd of January 2013, at the re-launch edition of Str8 Up Hip-hop, a monthly urban networking event for Hip-hop heads and intellectuals. The event which was themed ‘State of the union forum’, focused on a critical breakdown of matters arising from “There Was A Country” by renowned author, Chinua Achebe. 

The interactive session which was produced by Now Muzik En.Core in partnership with POP and Beat 99.9fm had as panelists; MI Abaga, Obi Asika, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Elajoe and Pamela Braide .

Andre Blaze 

Spoken word artist, Sage, opened the event with a special presentation of a mind blowing poem. Brilliant orator, Andre Blaze who was the host of the event, held the audience’s attention with well prepared, thought provoking questions thrown at the panelist for elaborate discussion. 

Among the pertinent issues deliberated on, were; challenges of distribution, scarcity and piracy of books, decline in reading culture, importance of ethnic identity to the Nigerian youth and the role of the Hip-hop community in nation building. Most importantly, excerpts from ‘There was a country’ were itemized and extensively discussed. 

There was no shortage of information as the panelists made superb use of personal experiences, real life examples and illustrations to drive home their points which no doubt will remain glued to the hearts of the attendees. The youths were encouraged to learn to read and improve on their reading culture because the foundation of everything is the ‘written word’. They were also advised to harness the availability of e-books, since knowledge acquisition will make them stronger and better humans in any society they belong to. 

  

'State of the union forum’ edition of Str8 UP Hip-hop was a successful event and a testimony to the claim by some experts that “Hip-hop is positively linked to intellectual growth”. The panelists and everyone present lauded Now Muzik En.Core for such a noble initiative.