Yoho prepares to drop rap CD album

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Wednesday January 20, 2010 00:00

 

They will be releasing a first ever HIV and AIDS oriented rap compilation anchored by leading rap stars, Zeus, Scar and Kast, as well as seven other upcoming rappers. The list of the seven rappers includes T-bo-Touch, Chubs, Cibil Knight, Tref, Spurrt and Billy Slugz. The seven upcoming rappers will be mentored by the trio. Scar says while he will be contributing one song to the compilation album, he will also be mentoring two other upcoming artists in Cibil Knight and Billy Slugz. Zeus told Mmegi that the lyrics will address such issues as alcohol abuse, materialism, gender and violence, and other positive messages. ' I think this is a beautiful thing. To me as a hip-hop artist, this project would bring awareness to our music among the youth', Zeus said.

The three rappers started work shopping the seven rappers yesterday at a workshop, which is going on at the Lion Park throughout this week.  The workshop is meant to provide the seven rappers with the concept for the rap recording, before they start rap compositions by the end of the weekend

Mmegi understands that local rappers signed for the rap compilation album will receive some payment from Yoho and the US embassy but the rappers were not at liberty to discuss the details due to contractual obligations.

Mmegi also understands that the album will be officially launched on February 27 in Gaborone, with various hip-hop performances scheduled on the launch night.  This past weekend some hip-hop dancers were seen practicing dance routines at Maitisong in Gaborone as they started preparations to feature at the launch. Mmegi understands that the CD launch will be followed by road shows from Gaborone to Francistown, and other major villages, as Yoho tries to use rap music to spread the AIDS message among the youth especially.

A Yoho communications officer Lindiwe Mbulawa says  the objectives of the Yoho hip-hop project music training are to impart musicians with skills to pass HIV messages on  multiple sexual partners, alcohol and substance abuse, gender analysis, HIV and AIDS as they perform and interact with audiences.

She said artistes would use their role model influence to encourage the adoption of HIV preventation as social commentators.

Mbulawa also said this is an opportunity to help musicians understand the epidemiology of HIV transmission and prevention.