Press Releases

AFAR hip hop group completes tour in Dar es Salaam

December 20, 2006

A U.S. based hip hop group, Afar, which was in the country for a three-day tour to promote cultural exchange between local artists and their U.S. counterparts left last night for home. The tour was facilitated by the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam in conjunction with Lincoln Center in New York City.

The band– keyboardist Richard Johnson vocalist Jason “Jahah” Berry, drummer Che “Black Fist” Marshall, and bassist Demonterious “Double D” Lawrence performed a live show and conducted music workshops with young up coming artists.

Afar had performed along with local Parapanda Theatre Lab members at the University of Dar es Salaam’s Nkurumah hall for an audience of more than 100. They also held a workshop with music students from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the Fine and Performing Arts Department. Another group that benefited from the experience of the Afar was the Afrikali Band. This workshop was coordinated by Music crossroads based in Sinza. Music Crossroads is a non-governmental organization working to promote local musicians in Tanzania.

The programme Officer for Music Crossroads, Mr. Edward Lusala said the workshop was very useful to the local musicians because they learned on how to mix local music with foreign beats. Also some students from the University of Dar es Salaam said they learned how to promote music talents after the workshop with Afar group.

During the workshops, musicians discussed on how to improve music talents, how to market the music and shared practical use of music equipment and singing. Afar members commented that there was very good talent in Tanzania, but the problem was how to market the music for income generation.

Afar’s band leader, Richard Johnson a.k.a Rjjazz, said the band is currently working on its second CD, playing gigs throughout the world, and collaborating with other artists. Afar’s international expansion will continue in 2007, with the release of a new CD in Japan next month. The group wrapped up their tour in Tanzania after performing in Mozambique, South Africa and Uganda.