Nairobi Yetu HipHop Collective

1 JULY 2005 – AMSTERDAM
NAIROBI YETU HIPHOP COLLECTIVE who were invited to perform at LIVE8 in Edinburgh can not play due to police objections. The Fringe event at which Nairobi Yetu were supposed to play was cancelled by the police because of an anarchist demonstration at Edinburgh at that time. Unfortunately, no other slot at any other of the LIVE8 events could be found at this short notice.

Coming from the ghettos of Nairobi, Kenya, the Nairobi Yetu represent the SPIRIT of LIVE8 and are the personification of what mr. Geldof tries to accomplish in creating awareness for World poverty[b]. The Nairobi Yetu, who actually live below the poverty line themselves, are an [b]authentic voice from the ghettos of Africa. The Nairobi Yetu are what the Global Campaign Against Poverty (GCAP) are all about.

The Nairobi Yetu seeks to communicate a realistic and positive image in Western countries of the youth of downtown Kenya and more specifically Nairobi’s Eastlands.

The main goal of Nairobi Yetu is to create awareness about their life in the slums, and to show the many talents of the people over there. The slums of Nairobi, Kenya, are with about 2 xbd million people the largest of the world. The average monthly spending rarely exceeds 3000 Kenya Shillings (approximately 30 EURO), which means that most people live below the poverty line. And the rappers from the Nairobi Yetu are not different: they also live below this poverty line.

This awareness has been given an enormous extra impulse due to the LIVE8 invitation. And we wish to thank the LIVE8 organizers for that opportunity. The international single All over the World remixed by UK rapper Ty was released to radio stations worldwide, this week, Reuters features the documentary of the project on the wire and EVN features a story on their international network as well. The All over the World musicvideo of the single will get extra airplay on various stations.

NAIROBI YETU HOPHOP COLLECTIVE
RAPPERS FROM THE SLUMS
NAIROBI YETU are a thirty-eight strong collective of rappers and musicians from four different slums in Nairobi’s notorious Eastlands ghetto. In a major collaborative effort they’ve joined forces with producers from Amsterdam’s DJ/Producer set Rednose Distrikt to record their debut album ‘KILIO CHA HAKI (A Cry for Justice)’. The positive message and head-nod kicks of ‘Kilio…’ call to mind acts like Saian Supa Crew, Arrested Development, A Tribe Called Quest and The Pharcyde.

‘Niarobi Yetu’ features some of Kenya’s greatest rappers, alongside up-and-coming new talent performing in Swahili, sheng and English. The notoriously dangerous Dandora neighbourhood is represented by Ukooflani Mau Mau, a group of MCs including veteran rappers Kalamashaka (regarded as the “pioneers of Kenyan Swahili and sheng hiphop) and Mashifta. Other musicians involved include YetuJeans, rappers and designers from Umoja, three singers from Kariobangi, Abbi a traditional singer from Kikwetu, Judge from Blak Duo and the upcoming Ghetto Boys from the Mathare slums. International singers who have contributed to the album include the Brooklyn-based Rha Goddess, who has worked with everyone from KRS-ONE to Chuck D, and Dutch vocalist Nynka Nauta, who currently still lives in Nairobi herself.

KILIO CHA HAKI – A SYNERGY OF THREE CONTINENTSThe ‘Kilio…’ album was recorded in a mobile studio, brought to Nairobi by Dutch NGO UpToYouToo, and was meant to help the rappers uplift and expose their enormous talent which was hidden in the ghettos. In total fifty-four artists shed blood, sweat and tears in a one room apartment in the Eastlands for a solid month, to record this album and offer the young people of Nairobi a voice with which to express themselves. Recording this CD enabled them to spread a social message concerning their situation of poverty and backdrop. The Nairobi Yetu are a synergy of three continents worth of talent and a representation of the positive action and energy from within the ghettos.

‘Kilio cha Haki’ is a fusion of different styles, cultures and backgrounds, but most of all it is an expression of the plight and struggle of the youth in the ghettos and slums of Nairobi. It presents not only Kenyans, but people the world over with the opportunity to reflect on the political corruption, criminality, poverty, AIDS and other scourges affecting urban youth.

Hiphop was brought back to its pure essence: a way to express the social and political environment. These subjects are central in the lyrics on the album thus showing how hiphop can mean an alternative to drugs and crime; a source of income; a means of voicing social and political protest. The rappers are creative in pinpointing today’s world through R.E.A.L. Realistic Expression and Absolute Learning.

BIGGEST HIPHOP PROJECT OF EASTERN AFRICAThis album is named the biggest HipHop project of Eastern Africa, and the first international single All over the World played in high rotation at MTV BASE AFRICA. With the enormous success of the single and the album in Africa, but also across Europe, the Nairobi Yetu have proven themselves in the international HipHop-scene.

LONDON RAPPER TY
PRODUCED REMIX OF
ALL OVER THE WORLD

Rapper TY and music producer Drew Horley produced the remix for Nairobi Yetu. Ty and Drew worked on the ALL OVER THE WORLD single and gave it a whole new and unique sound. In the week, leading up to LIVE8, the remix is presented to the press and will have its premiere on the radio worldwide.

Ty is a prominent member of the UK HipHop scene, and he is considered the biggest HipHop artist from London. Ty has grown from underground mc to an artist who is developing an international reputation. In between working on a new album Ty takes time to collaborate with a variety of musicians, and now he completed his remix of All over the World.

With the remix produced by Ty and Drew Horley, the impact of the Nairobi Yetu HipHop Collective has taken a step into a next level.

HipHop truly is global!

28 JUNE 2005 – AMSTERDAM/LONDON
Rapper TY and music producer Drew Horley produced the REMIX for NAIROBI YETU HIPHOP COLLECTIVE. Ty and Drew worked on the ALL OVER THE WORLD single and gave it a whole new and unique sound. This week leading up to LIVE8 the remix is presented to the press and will have its premiere on the radio worldwide.

TY
Ty is a prominent member of the UK HipHop scene, and he is considered the biggest HipHop artist from London. Ty has grown from underground mc to an artist who is developing an international reputation. In between working on a new album Ty takes time to collaborate with a variety of musicians, and now he completed his remix of All over the World.

NAIROBI YETU HOPHOP COLLECTIVE: RAPPERS FROM THE SLUMS
NAIROBI YETU are a thirty-eight strong collective of rappers and musicians from four different slums in Nairobi’s notorious Eastlands ghetto. In a major collaborative effort they’ve joined forces with producers from Amsterdam’s DJ/Producer set Rednose Distrikt to record their debut album ‘KILIO CHA HAKI (A Cry for Justice)’. The positive message and head-nod kicks of ‘Kilio…’ call to mind acts like Saian Supa Crew, Arrested Development, A Tribe Called Quest and The Pharcyde.

LIVE8
NAIROBI YETU HIPHOP COLLECTIVE are invited to perform at LIVE8 FRINGE in Edinburgh. Coming from the ghettos of Nairobi, Kenya, the NAIROBI YETU represent the real SPIRIT of LIVE8 and are the personification of what Bob Geldof tries to accomplish in creating awareness for World poverty. The NAIROBI YETU, who actually live below the poverty line themselves, are a true and authentic voice from the ghettos of Africa. The NAIROBI YETU are what LIVE8 is all about.

28 JUNE 2005 – AMSTERDAM/LONDON
Rapper TY and music producer Drew Horley produced the REMIX for NAIROBI YETU HIPHOP COLLECTIVE. Ty and Drew worked on the ALL OVER THE WORLD single and gave it a whole new and unique sound. This week leading up to LIVE8 the remix is presented to the press and will have its premiere on the radio worldwide.

TY
Ty is a prominent member of the UK HipHop scene, and he is considered the biggest HipHop artist from London. Ty has grown from underground mc to an artist who is developing an international reputation. In between working on a new album Ty takes time to collaborate with a variety of musicians, and now he completed his remix of All over the World.

NAIROBI YETU HOPHOP COLLECTIVE: RAPPERS FROM THE SLUMS
NAIROBI YETU are a thirty-eight strong collective of rappers and musicians from four different slums in Nairobi’s notorious Eastlands ghetto. In a major collaborative effort they’ve joined forces with producers from Amsterdam’s DJ/Producer set Rednose Distrikt to record their debut album ‘KILIO CHA HAKI (A Cry for Justice)’. The positive message and head-nod kicks of ‘Kilio…’ call to mind acts like Saian Supa Crew, Arrested Development, A Tribe Called Quest and The Pharcyde.

LIVE8
NAIROBI YETU HIPHOP COLLECTIVE are invited to perform at LIVE8 FRINGE in Edinburgh. Coming from the ghettos of Nairobi, Kenya, the NAIROBI YETU represent the real SPIRIT of LIVE8 and are the personification of what Bob Geldof tries to accomplish in creating awareness for World poverty. The NAIROBI YETU, who actually live below the poverty line themselves, are a true and authentic voice from the ghettos of Africa. The NAIROBI YETU are what LIVE8 is all about.

26 JUNE 2005 – AMSTERDAM/NAIROBI

NAIROBI YETU HIPHOP COLLECTIVE are invited to perform at LIVE8 FRINGE in Edinburgh. Coming from the ghettos of Nairobi, Kenya, the NAIROBI YETU represent the real SPIRIT of LIVE8 and are the personification of what Bob Geldof tries to accomplish in creating awareness for World poverty. The NAIROBI YETU, who actually live below the poverty line themselves, are a true and authentic voice from the ghettos of Africa. The NAIROBI YETU are what LIVE8 is all about.

NAIROBI YETU HOPHOP COLLECTIVE
NAIROBI YETU are a thirty-eight strong collective of rappers and musicians from four different slums in Nairobi’s notorious Eastlands ghetto. In a major collaborative effort they’ve joined forces with producers from Amsterdam’s DJ/Producer set Rednose Distrikt to record their debut album ‘KILIO CHA HAKI (A Cry for Justice)’. The positive message and head-nod kicks of ‘Kilio…’ call to mind acts like Saian Supa Crew, Arrested Development, A Tribe Called Quest and The Pharcyde.

DUTCH NGO UPTOYOUTOO PROVIDED MOBILE STUDIO
‘Kilio…’ was recorded in a mobile studio, brought to Nairobi by Dutch NGO UpToYouToo, and was meant to help the rappers uplift and expose their enormous talent which was hidden in the ghettos. Recording this CD enabled them to spread a social message concerning their situation of poverty and backdrop. The NAIROBI YETU are the representation of the positive action and energy from within the ghettos.

BIGGEST HIPHOP PROJECT OF EASTERN AFRICA
This album is named the biggest HipHop project of Eastern Africa, and their first international single All over the World played in high rotation at MTV BASE AFRICA. With the enormous success of the single and the album in Africa, but also across Europe, the NAIROBI YETU have proven themselves in the international HipHop-scene.

NAIROBI SLUMS
The slums of Nairobi, Kenya, are with about 2 xbd million people the largest of the world. The average monthly spending rarely exceeds 3000 Kenya Shillings (approximately 30 EURO), which means that most people live below the poverty line.

The Official Press Release