Hip hop jam and free testing

A FREE hip hop jam to boost HIV/Aids awareness will give aspiring young rappers and local artists a chance to showcase their skills – while testing free for HIV.

Hosted by Cape Town rap group School Of Thought, the event Hip Hop Battles Aids will be held next Friday at the FF Erasmus Hall in Kraaifontein.

The group decided to arrange the jam a week after World Aids Day because they believe awareness of the epidemic should continue long after the designated day.

They said that, since the onset of the HIV/ Aids epidemic about 20 years ago, the virus had infected more than 52 million people globally. And they believed the infection rate would only increase.

About 95 percent of Aids deaths which occur in developing countries are reported to be mostly among young adults. Half of all new infections around the world are found in people aged 10 to 24.

“It’s estimated that 7 000 young people between the ages of 10 and 20 are infected each day in the world – this is an average of five infections a minute,” the group said.

School Of Thought uses hip-hop as an avenue where these children will learn more about the pandemic.”

An open mic session would provide an opportunity for upcoming young rappers to perform on a public platform.

B-boys can also battle it out in a breakdance competition which will be judged by Alfred Burgess, aka B- boy Benny, South Africa’s number one breakdancer.

A free testing facility will be stationed at the hall, staffed by Harmony Clinic medics.

A variety of live acts will perform including Jean Pierre from Black Noise, Lee-ursus Alexander from Assembly Radio, Siepsokkie, Hemelbesem, Isaac Mutant and Ricardo Dyson. Doors open at 6pm.

janis.kinnear@inl.co.za