I want you to see evidence where Hip Hop culture shines at its brightest, and how it enlightens a possible future for those who once envisioned tomorrow as a blur. I want you to feel how it made you feel the first time you found Hip Hop kissing you on the cheek with open arms. Do you remember when? Were you just a kid grooving along trying to pass the time meanwhile seeking your identity and wondering how you fit in this world?

What was it like your first time when you saw B-Boying, a Graff mural, or a DJ rockin’ the breaks? How about the first rhyme you heard flowing so sweet that it made you say, “I want to do that, too!” Do you remember way back when Hip Hop was invited by your innocence?

I ask these questions because whatever you may have been doing at that time Hip Hop culture brought some form of amplified happiness to your youth while you were transitioning towards adulthood. I am confident it was very positive in your life.

Though oftentimes than not, Hip Hop does not receive the positive attention it deserves when the media comes into play. I do not know fully how it is treated around the world as it is commonly trashed, ridiculed, or sold as a commercial novelty here in the United States media. However, what I do know is when Hip Hop culture is edifying and breathing new life into people it must not be dismissed as rhetoric. On a sad note, if there is no cute little story to make you feel good about yourself then you will not see it on prime time news. When it comes to Hip Hop activism and the media, it will be passed over like a tofu patty at a carnivore’s banquet.

But I have some good news for you. We are not the media. We are the people.

I want you to take a moment and learn about a fantastic organization in the country of Uganda led by three B-Boy apostles; Abramz, Antonio, and Emile. These brothers are in charge of Break Dance Project Uganda, a youth movement teaching and exhibiting B-Boying to all children and teens throughout the country. They reach out to youths from the streets, in prisons, and orphanages as well as people from other disadvantage areas.

From what I have seen in Abramz’s YouTube video channel, these brothers are what Hip Hop is really all about! I saw pure light and creativity.They are truly motivated with the love for their people and raising up their communities. The videos also came with a special guest appearance by The Rock Steady Crew!

According to their vision:

The aim of this project is to empower the youth and children by using Break Dance [Hip Hop.]

• To give a chance to all the people who want to dance as a career but can’t afford to pay for dance classes.
• To bridge the gap between Northern Uganda and the other regions of Uganda.
• To resolve tribal, religious, and racial conflicts.
• To bridge the gap between the advantaged and disadvantaged.
• To build people’s self-esteem.
• To help upcoming dancers make use of their talent.
• To bridge the gap between illiterates and literates.
• To promote interaction between local and international dancers.

What I have seen on these kids faces when they were rocking the cypher in these videos, I saw joy! I saw community and happiness! I saw Hip Hop, and I saw how Hip Hop made me feel when I was a youth all over again! It was fantastic!

Much props to Break Dance Project Uganda and Abramz. Thank you for showing the world what Hip Hop culture can do out of love. It is another lesson well learned.

Please visit Break Dance Project Uganda for more detailed information at http://www.myspace.com/breakdanceprojectuganda. For contributions: In Uganda please Contact: +256-712-81-66-17 or email: tekyabra@yahoo.com. In Denmark please contact: +45-40871978 or email: dianahaakonson@hotmail.com. In the United States contact maiwen18@gmail.com or http://www.myspace.com/maiwen18. Also pay a visit to http://www.myspace.com/sylvesterabramz and sample the music endeavors of Abramz and Sylvester.

Crazy Legs and Abramz in Gulu

Rock Steady Crew in Kisenyi slum, Uganda

UGANDAN BBOYS BATTLE 1

UGANDAN BBOY BATTLE 2