Hip Hop Artists Sing Out Against HIV/AIDS in Tanzania

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The Hip Hop Artists Against AIDS Initiative kicked off July 11 and 12, 2007 with a two day concert in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania featuring American hip-hop group, Native Deen. The free, two-day event also included educational sessions between performances including questions and answer sessions, quiz competitions, and other forms of information sharing. Local artists AY, Fid-q, Joe Makini, Mh Temba, Unique Sisters, K-Lin, Banana Zorro, Nako 2 Nako, and Jumanne IDD also performed.

Young people gather at the UJANA booth to learn more information about the project. The banner above reads ‘Be satisfied with the one you have, be faithful,’ both abstinence and faithfulness messages were promoted during the concert.
Young people gather at the UJANA booth to learn more information about the project. The banner above reads "Be satisfied with the one you have, be faithful," both abstinence and faithfulness messages were promoted during the concert. 		  Young people get copies of ‘Faraja,’ a book about reproductive health and HIV written by a member of UJANA’s Youth Executive Committee. The Kiswahili book was written by and for young people in Tanzania.
Young people get copies of "Faraja," a book about reproductive health and HIV written by a member of UJANA’s Youth Executive Committee. The Kiswahili book was written by and for young people in Tanzania. 		  A young man answers a question about HIV/AIDS during a question and answer session with the audience. These sessions helped educate the audience on important HIV prevention issues during the concert.
A young man answers a question about HIV/AIDS during a question and answer session with the audience. These sessions helped educate the audience on important HIV prevention issues during the concert. 		  Young people wait in line for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) during the concert. Marie Stopes provided free VCT services, and had nearly 400 young people get tested during the event.
Young people wait in line for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) during the concert. Marie Stopes provided free VCT services, and had nearly 400 young people get tested during the event.
The Unique Sisters, a popular Tanzanian hip hop group, deliver messages about HIV prevention through their songs. They were one of 16 local groups to perform during the concert.
The Unique Sisters, a popular Tanzanian hip hop group, deliver messages about HIV prevention through their songs. They were one of 16 local groups to perform during the concert. 		  As the day progressed, the crowd started filling in. An estimated 16-20 thousand young people turned out for the concert. Volunteers and Artists wore t-shirts bearing UJANA HIV-prevention messages. This shirt reads ‘The test of real love is being able to wait’.
As the day progressed, the crowd started filling in. An estimated 16-20 thousand young people turned out for the concert. Volunteers and Artists wore t-shirts bearing UJANA HIV-prevention messages. This shirt reads "The test of real love is being able to wait". 		  Taji Liundi, TACAIDS Commissioner for Youth, officially opened the concert with powerful words about using music to reach young people. He said, ‘Music is a powerful medium because it touches our hearts and our minds at the same time. That’s why it’s so important that musicians become involved in promoting positive and healthy lifestyles — because they can have powerful impact on youth.’
Taji Liundi, TACAIDS Commissioner for Youth, officially opened the concert with powerful words about using music to reach young people. He said, "Music is a powerful medium because it touches our hearts and our minds at the same time. That’s why it’s so important that musicians become involved in promoting positive and healthy lifestyles — because they can have powerful impact on youth." 		  Native Deen, a US-based Hip Hop group excited the crowd with their music. The group worked with local musicians to talk about how to use hip hop music to promote positive messages for young people.
Native Deen, a US-based Hip Hop group excited the crowd with their music. The group worked with local musicians to talk about how to use hip hop music to promote positive messages for young people.
Wanaume Family, a popular Tanzanian hip hop group unite to bring messages of HIV prevention to young people. They creatively added HIV messages to their popular songs, making a powerful performance that the crowd loved.
Wanaume Family, a popular Tanzanian hip hop group unite to bring messages of HIV prevention to young people. They creatively added HIV messages to their popular songs, making a powerful performance that the crowd loved. 		 

   
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