Fanya Kweli is an incorporation of youth in different sectors of Nairobi’s entertainment industry, majority from the slums and ghettos, whose internal fire is driven through the love of Hip-hop. The members of Fanya Kweli Inc feel Hip-hop is misunderstood and misconstrued by many and therefore feel obliged to shed some light and ‘truth’ to all, to open up the avenues and prospects for the hip-hop nation, that’s waiting to be embraced in all it splendor. Hip-hop, we feel is being marketed by multi-nationals to work to the benefit of their pockets. Although they have financial advantage over us, we on the other hand have people power globally and with networking ability to change the power of the status quo…

‘Fanya Kweli’ is derived from two words in Kiswahili, ‘Fanya’ meaning ‘to do’ and ‘kweli’ meaning ‘true’ was inspired by the group who want to ‘do the right thing’ ‘Be true’ ‘live by truth’ and so on and so forth.

Fanya kweli propose to hold workshops over 3 days; 26th, 27th and 28th August at the Go down Visual Arts Centre, Dunga Rd, Industrial area. They will close the workshop with a splendid showcasing of Africa’s finest Hip-Hop ambassadors gracing a stage set at the Comesa Grounds at the KICC (Kenyatta International Conference centre). Fanya Kweli Inc propose to pick 2 outstanding hip-hop act from SA e.g. Godessa, Skwatta kamp, another 4 from our EA frikan counterparts eg. Prof J, Jaymo, 2 more from west Afrikan e.g Blak Twang, Zulu nation from New York and of course our very own for this display and conclusion of their workshop.

The workshops will breakdown Hip-hops mysteries.

Fanya Kweli Inc want all to know that, hip-hop is a culture and way of life.!

When you live hip-hop, you become hip-hop. Below we display 5 main elements of Hiphop:-

1. Consciousness This is awareness of self, about who you are, being independent minded, individualism, acceptance of self. Being ‘real’ and ‘true’ to yourself.

2. MC-ing This was a street level form of communication (although recently it has now become a major) of relaying a message with clever use of flowing words, poetry and rhyming.

3. DJ-ing A innovative form of creating music from sampling and cutting and scratching records to form a style of music initially unique only to hip-hop.

4. Break Dancing This is an art of dancing composed of movements, which makes the dancer look like he is literally breaking. It also comprises of many art forms such as bopping, waves, body spins and is also incorporated with Capoera another form of dance expression whose origins came from slaves who spent their time with their hand and feet chained and used it as a way to exercise/dance/fight (while chained) without being discovered. For neither of the above was allowed and a death penalty would follow if one was discovered practicing any of them.

5. Graffiti Art This was the underground visual way of relaying messages by spray painting public spaces, like street walls and subways in a colorful artistic form and style with colorful illustrations and special scriptures that was only understood by hip hops people.

With all this in mind Fanya Kweli will use these categories and many others to unfold the global hip hop history and how it has influenced and evolutionalised in Africa creating its own sub-culture that is about “Fanya Kweli”.

Objectives

-Quality enhancement for Hip Hop to pass the right message to society and people who look up to this culture.

-To enlighten participants on the economic aspects of Hip-Hop: as a means of income generation.

-To project Hip-Hop as a way of rehabilitation and as way of consciousness to improve on self esteem. Most of the artist involved in this venture are from the Ghettos of Nairobi.

-Funds from this festival will go towards establishing the Hip-Hop & Art Academy which is already being run and currently consist of training of Acrobatics ,Rap, Dancing, Painting(Graffiti)

-Hip Hop as way of social communication of positivity: Spreading the message about HIV-AIDS to young people who are the major consumers of these brand of music and not lyrics that advocate things like teenage sex.

Hip-Hops impact origins date back as far as late 80’s, the fire was burning in Tanzania. Groups like Kwanza Unit, Hard Blaster’s, The Diplomatz, Mr 2. In the 90’s Kenya rap scene flourished. Pioneering groups like Kalamashaka, K-South, Fundi Frank and Cash D set the scene using their vernacular language to win the hearts of many. Similar growth was happening in Kampala, with groups like, Kado based in Sweden and Klear Kut. DJ’s took their stand like Dj Pinye, Dj Adrian, Skratchaholics, the homeboyz Setting their wheels of steel blazing with creativity. B-boys grabbed the stage too.

Kenyans took graffiti to another level by using public service vehicles as their canvas. The matatu culture called Matatus. Hip hop made such a proud stand that the political scene used the music to prosper the presidential campaign.

Fanya Kweli inc hope to educate the masses through the hip hop related activities, offering a positive alternative to taking to the street with crime. and also as source of income. All this creativity will bring a source of employment to those who never imagined of the chance. It is now apparent evidence with the growing number of people joining the hip hop industry, through the workshop, we intend to bring awareness to the general public and the corporate world ,the opportunity and the potential in the industry. African youth can in one voice (through hip hop) air social, political climate in their societies

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM AND BUDGET (word doc)

We hereby invite you to assist us open the gates to a beautiful nation of people, who have searched their inner selves and found a home and culture that is deeply artistic in expression to voice the trials and tribulations, share feelings with our fellow peoples in an attempt to educate our brothers and sisters through a fun and colorful forum of entertainment. This will be the first time workshop of this kind will be held in East Africa and Fanya Kweli want so much for Kenya to be a pioneer in opening these doors.

Fanya Kweli Inc have the challenge of coordinating many artists and displaying them in an organized and professional manner in ways of workshop. Their challenge is to reach far by using media, TV ads, Magazines, newspapers, radio promos, fliers, posters t-shirts, banners and other promo items to aggressively and vigorously place the event and workshops in peoples minds. We plan to use powerful images in form of documentaries and strong campaign to school the people about hip-hops history and splendor. So that in turn future youth will have a voice through Hip-hop edutainment (educational entertainment) to be heard. This is our way of ensuring continuity of Hip-Hop which we believe is a influential and key communication tool, that is able to cross over class, racial, sexist boundaries (without being restrictive because of its global reach) for Afrikan youth.

A very clear and concise message needs to be relayed, so, technical equipment needs to be sourced. Superior PA system, stage, projectors, lights, slide projectors, cameras are some of the important things we need you to assist us with. Getting artists from place to place has obvious logistic implications. Coordinating, administration finances need to be sourced for accommodation for the visiting artists from other countries and their flight tickets. Below is attached the estimated figures of our budget for your perusal.

Fanya kweli inc. together with its associates wants you to be a part of the birth of this evolution that will lead to a mind opening revolution. Whatever your contributions whether great of small will be a building block of a strong foundation. Through you we can build a Fanya Kweli nation.

Please do not hesitate to contact us through the above contacts for any queries suggestions or contributions.

Awaiting your positive feedback,

Yours sincerely,

Felix M. Gicharu Fanya kweli Inc Administration

Fanya Kweli Inc C/o Mulika Trust 8th floor Uchumi Hse P.O. Box 190-00606 Sarit Centre, Westlands Nairobi Kenya. Website: www.fanyakweli.com Email: info@fanyakweli.com Tel: +254 020 247416/22 Mob: +254 723 868 232

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