Waga hip hop week

21. October 2007 by admin.

Is over! I’m upset. My first taste of the urban culture in this city.

This past week was Waga hip hop week at the Centre Culturel Francais(CCF). It’s one of the first structures in the country whose mission is to support culture through literature, performing arts, cinema, photography, etc by promoting French and Burkinabè culture and develop cultural exchanges in a francophone space. Everyone seemed to know each other, a gathering place for the artistic community in the city. Ouaga is known for being a centre of culture here in West Africa, so there were hip hop “stars” who attended and performed from the region and France.

I met some expat friends to catch a film called, Frangafrika. Unfortunately, it was at a satellite location 20 minutes away so we decided to hang around for the workshops of slam (poetry), beatboxing, breakdancing, fashion and turntablism. It was interesting to see the development of hip hop culture here. I noted a blend of African movements within their breaking styles and my friend noticed their grafitti skills could use some work, most likely due to lack of materials and practice.

I also caught the Oxmo Puccini concert with a friend. A mix of jazz influenced hip hop coming in from Paris. If you happen to come upon their cd, check it out!

Opening act of slam poetry.

Oxmo Puccini in concert at the CCF.

The audience and Oxmo.

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