One of South Africa’s leading Hip Hop artists arrives in the United States today for a two-week stay at a Washington-based non-profit organization. Hip-Hop Pantsula, also known as Jabba, will be mixing with big names in the industry and working on initiatives aimed at promoting education and uniting communities.

 “We invited Hip Hop Pantsula because of his tremendous accomplishments as a recording artist and his selfless commitment to serving his community,” said John R. Chambers, founder of BloomBars.

BloomBars is a Washington-based non-profit organization that works to inspire and unite communities through the arts while nurturing artists committed to serving the community

“This is a rare opportunity for two communities on two continents to explore the roots of their music - each contributing to the evolution of the other - and its impact on society.”

Connecting communities
The goal of Pantsula’s stay is to build a bridge between Hip-Hop communities in South Africa and the United States and promote cross-cultural awareness about critical issues like HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, diabetes, and arts education.

“We’re on a mission to break down borders, break down barriers, and break down stereotypes,” said Jabba, who won the Best Video of The Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA).

In addition to performances and workshops at BloomBars and other venues in Washington D.C. and New York, Jabba will spend much of his time speaking at high schools, juvenile detention facilities, and lecturing at colleges and universities. Many of events will feature youth presenting their programs to Jabba.

Throughout the residency, Jabba will be travelling and collaborating with Gabriel “Asheru” Benn, a widely acclaimed Hip-Hop artist, educator, youth activist, and recipient of a prestigious Peabody Award. As an Artist-in-Bloom resident fellow, Asheru will serve as Jabba’s guide and ambassador to the larger Hip-Hop and education communities.

“We grew up hearing about Steven Biko and Nelson Mandela,” said Asheru. “I’m excited to learn how that experience has shaped the evolution of Hip-Hop in South Africa. And I’m sure Jabba is excited to learn more about the roots of his chosen craft and meet some of its founders.”

Jabba is scheduled to attend the BET Honours awards ceremony hosted by Gabrielle Union, honouring Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Using Hip-Hop to educate
January 15th also marks the release of a supplemental reading workbook featuring the lyrics of a collaboration between Jabba and Hip-Hop icon Nas, who appears on Jabba’s latest album, “Dumela”.

The workbook is one of a series developed by Asheru that use Hip-Hop lyrics to help students of all ages improve reading and critical analysis and helps teachers improve literacy instruction.

Since 2005, Asheru’s Hip-Hop Education Literacy Program (HELP) has partnered with dozens of recording artists, including Jay-Z and Kanye West. In 2008, HELP received a letter of endorsement from then Senator Barack Obama and can now be found in classrooms across America. Asheru and Jabba will use the workbooks in their meetings with students.

“When I learned about BloomBars, and the work Asheru was doing with HELP, I knew we had to make this connection across the pond. We share so many of the same challenges, it’s about time we share solutions,” said Jabba.

The Artist-in-Bloom Residency Program is designed to identify and cultivate artists who will represent and advance the belief that art and artists have the power to transform people, communities, and the world. It also helps artists learn how to be entrepreneurs and leaders in their communities.

For more information, visit www.bloombars.com.