Henry Ohanga, otherwise known as "Octopizzo," is one of Kenya's hottest hip hop artist. He claims his most fulfilling work is helping fellow youth in Nairobi's so-called "informal settlement" of Kibera to turn away from drugs and crime and rather earn a living from their talents. Born and raised in Kibera, Octopizzo began a youth self-help group called "Young, Gifted and Black" to assist members develop their singing, dancing, and other abilities. And he has also created a tour company and a business that sells T-shirts and watches to fund the group.
Octopizzo may be one of Kenya's fastest-rising gangster rap performers but Henry Ohanga will not forget where he came from - Kibera, one of Africa's largest casual settlements. And he says he is taking his fellow Kiberians along for the ride. 24 year-old Henry Ohanga is Kibera's jack-of-all trades. He is most commonly known by his stage persona Octopizzo, which he developed before cutting his first CD in 2008. But while creating his second CD one year later, Octopizzo remembered the friends he lost touch with after the country's post-election violence and the many Kibera youth traumatized by the experience.
To bring recovery and development to his community, Octopizzo set up "Young, Gifted and Black," a group in which members are taught to be singers, dancers, poets, artists, and sports athletes. The idea was just to use art to change the youths. Nowadays you can't go and preach to a youth and tell him, change or you will not get to heaven, they don't really care. The youths desire to be entertained first, then you put yourselves in their level and you share the same stories that they are going through. As he teaches young people hip hop and other skills, Octopizzo drills into his students the importance of education and living a drug- and crime-free lifestyle.
They call it 'edutainment' - you teach as you entertain. As you teach and entertain, you need to be professional. You need to go to school. Hip hop is not for those who are drop-outs. And that approach has produced all the difference to hip hop singer Slum Dog, who used to do drugs and steal. Octopizzo had his own demons to fight. Orphaned in secondary school, Octopizzo considered his musical talents to support his four brothers and sisters. He says he first sold his music for $1 a CD. He was simply networking just as much as he can, trying to record his music and sell them almost everywhere, selling them for cheap just to have more funds and then that's when he can raise it when he already have more funds.
Hip hop artist Octopizzo says his best joy is to identify and foster talent among the youth of his community. Despite the grinding poverty, there is a lot of creativeness and goodwill in Kibera and other informal settlements. He denounces hip hop words that glorify violence, sexism, racism, and other social ills. He states that most people living in Kibera have noticed violence first-hand and are searching for a different approach to live. Octopizzo says he promises to expand Young, Gifted and Black to other informal settlements in Nairobi.
Octopizzo may be one of Kenya's fastest-rising gangster rap performers but Henry Ohanga will not forget where he came from - Kibera, one of Africa's largest casual settlements. And he says he is taking his fellow Kiberians along for the ride. 24 year-old Henry Ohanga is Kibera's jack-of-all trades. He is most commonly known by his stage persona Octopizzo, which he developed before cutting his first CD in 2008. But while creating his second CD one year later, Octopizzo remembered the friends he lost touch with after the country's post-election violence and the many Kibera youth traumatized by the experience.
To bring recovery and development to his community, Octopizzo set up "Young, Gifted and Black," a group in which members are taught to be singers, dancers, poets, artists, and sports athletes. The idea was just to use art to change the youths. Nowadays you can't go and preach to a youth and tell him, change or you will not get to heaven, they don't really care. The youths desire to be entertained first, then you put yourselves in their level and you share the same stories that they are going through. As he teaches young people hip hop and other skills, Octopizzo drills into his students the importance of education and living a drug- and crime-free lifestyle.
They call it 'edutainment' - you teach as you entertain. As you teach and entertain, you need to be professional. You need to go to school. Hip hop is not for those who are drop-outs. And that approach has produced all the difference to hip hop singer Slum Dog, who used to do drugs and steal. Octopizzo had his own demons to fight. Orphaned in secondary school, Octopizzo considered his musical talents to support his four brothers and sisters. He says he first sold his music for $1 a CD. He was simply networking just as much as he can, trying to record his music and sell them almost everywhere, selling them for cheap just to have more funds and then that's when he can raise it when he already have more funds.
Hip hop artist Octopizzo says his best joy is to identify and foster talent among the youth of his community. Despite the grinding poverty, there is a lot of creativeness and goodwill in Kibera and other informal settlements. He denounces hip hop words that glorify violence, sexism, racism, and other social ills. He states that most people living in Kibera have noticed violence first-hand and are searching for a different approach to live. Octopizzo says he promises to expand Young, Gifted and Black to other informal settlements in Nairobi.
About the Author:
Hip hop music was initially recognized in the 70's. In order to become a well-known Hip Hop Artist one should sing out well, have the winning attitude, and above all know how to dance. Becoming a New Hip Hop Artist is just not an easy career. It certainly takes a wide range of hard work, motivation, and perseverance.
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