Below is an article written about the Darfur Benefit Show we had a month ago. It was written by Lizbeth Gonzalez for the Cal State Los Angeles Student Newspaper. However, it was not published. Nonetheless, I'm glad she was able to make it out. Now it is published! Also, click the photo collages for access to albums containing dope photos from the event.
Last Sunday, a collaborative of artists, activists and musicians sponsored the successful “Hip Hop 4 Peace: A Benefit for Darfur” at the Grandstar Jazz Club, minutes from campus, in Downtown LA. The six-hour event hosted upcoming as well as established artists to bring focus to the innocent deaths, abused power, and constant violence that are all going on right now in Darfur. The conflict in Darfur has left more then 450,000 deaths and causalities. Many organizations around the world are doing their part to raise funds to keep children in school, help feed families and much more.
Event organizer, Jelani Kimble, said that in planning the event he wanted to reach out to his community, which primarily is the Hip-hop community. “It was just all about making people more aware of what's going on out there,” Kimble said. Performances by Jumakae, an upcoming female MC, Ninja Academy, a two piece rock band made up of a drummer and bass player in ninja suits, Rebels to the Grain, underground hip hop artists, as well as many others helped promote the message of peace and freedom in Darfur. The two-room venue divided the afternoon into jazz and spoken word performances downstairs and mostly hip-hop performances upstairs. Outside the venue a few artists were doing live art. One of them, Timoi, said what is happening in Darfur is very tragic. She came to support by dedicating the piece she was painting at the event.
The Darfur Peace and Development Organization was also present to collect relief funds and to pass out informational materials. A speaker from the organization, Nikole Lent, gave Darfur messages throughout the line up. She said she was “happy to see people came out to support and be a part of a global community to make a difference.”
Grammy nominated female MC, Mystic, attracted one of the largest crowds of the afternoon, speaking about community empowerment and moving for the cause. She said she came out to help raise funds because she is aware and understands her responsibility to the people.
The line up for the event did get a little mixed up with last minute changes because performers were running late or just couldn’t make it. However, this did not take anything away from the event. There were constant performances throughout the day.
Kimble said he was pleased with the outcome of the event. “We ended up raising $552 to donate to the relief fund, Darfur Peace & Development. I am very gracious for their involvement, ” Kimble said. The event helped promote unity, harmony and peace, all to make a difference for this devastating cause.
