Kathmandu, Feb 19: The U.S. Embassy is set to host a US-Nepal Hip Hop Collab–Khulaun Bolaun Concert in Biratnagar, Morang, on coming February 21. The Nepal HipHop Foundation (NHF) has coordinated the event that will take place at 2 pm-6 pm.
Four American hip-hop artists will be collaborating with Nepali artists to empower youth to freely express themselves through art, said the organiser. The artists will use spoken word, rap, production and dance skills as a medium for economic and social empowerment, they added.
The artists include American DJ Fleg, DJ & Producer, Shanna Lim, Dancer/Choreographer, Mazi Mutafa, Executive Director of Words Beats & Life, and Substantial, Rapper and Producer, all from Words Beats & Life, and Jenisha Maharjan, Nepali Nepal HipHop Foundation, Vyoma, Faithom, D Galaxy Crew, MC Groovy and Kaluman, East Rangers Crew, DJ Able (Sonu), Amazumi, and Tharu traditional band.
According to them, the event aims to celebrate hip-hop culture and its historical place as a powerful tool for social change and minority rights activism, while upholding the fact that “Hip hop is more than just a genre of music–it is a cultural movement that has the ability to inspire, uplift and give a voice to those who are often marginalised. Whether it is through the storytelling in the lyrics, the expressive dance moves or the community-building events, hip-hop provides a platform for young people to creatively themselves, and advocate for important social issues”.