American Hip Hop Artists in Mauritius for Two Free Concerts

Port Louis, October 1, 2012:

American Hip Hop artists ‘Epiphany’ and ‘Ferocious’ arrived in Mauritius this week to perform at free concerts, organized by the U.S. Embassy in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts and Culture and the Institut Français de Maurice (IFM). The concerts are part of the Daniel Pearl World Music Days, organized throughout the world to celebrate the legacy of American journalist Daniel Jacob Pearl, kidnapped and killed in Pakistan in 2002. Daniel Pearl recognized the ability of music to bridge differences among people. In the spirit of his love of music and commitment to dialogue, the Daniel Pearl Foundation launched the first Daniel Pearl World Music Days on October 10, 2002, which would have been his 39th birthday.

‘Epiphany’ is a graduate of Stanford University, where he studied mechanical engineering. But around age 21, he started rapping, and for the past decade he’s honed his skills with a debut album eight years ago, a string of mixtapes and single releases, and live performances all over the Southern United States. Epiphany has opened for such international hip-hop stars as TI, Snoop Dogg, 8Ball & MJG, and Ne-Yo. ‘Ferocious’ is a singer, songwriter and record producer born in Little Rock, Arkansas. Vinson is known to the southern music scene as Ferocious. He has produced a slew of bangers for various hometown artists. He first discovered his passion for music listening to legends such as Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and many others.

During their ten-day stay in Mauritius, both artists will engage in a variety of activities, including live radio shows, meetings with Mauritian youth in schools and NGOs, but also workshops with local artists. Three such workshops will be held on October 2 and 3 at the Serge Constantin Theatre in Vacoas from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. These workshops are free and open to all Mauritian artists. A third one will take place as from 5 p.m. at IFM on October 3.

Following the workshops, Epiphany and Ferocious will perform at a free lunch time show at the esplanade of the Renganaden Seeneevassen (NPF) building in Port Louis, on Friday October 5. Following this event, they will head off to the Open Air Theatre in Pointe Canons (Mahébourg) for another free concert, to which the Mauritian public is widely invited. Local hip hop band Wake Up Team will also feature in this event. The last free concert will be held at IFM in Rose Hill on Saturday, October 6. Members of the public however have to request a ticket for this last event, given limited seats at the venue. 

This is the 4th consecutive edition of the Daniel Pearl World Music Days being hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Mauritius this year, as it subscribes fully to this network of concerts which uses the power of music to reaffirm commitment to tolerance and humanity.