Hip Hop pioneer Emile YX? invited to Stanford University
Emile YX? from pioneering Hip Hop group Black Noise has certainly been loud regarding youth development initiatives.
Since the birth of Black Noise in the late 80’s, before democracy was even in our grasp, Emile has used Hip Hop and the group to create awareness and youth development initiatives.
Through his Heal the Hood initiative, which has been running since 1998, he has been able to utilize beak-dancing and hip hop to create work for youngsters from Lavender Hill.
Emile also created some of the longest running South African Hip Hop events, namely ‘African Battle Cry’ and ‘African Hip Hop Indaba’ which have been on the go since 1996 and 1997.
He has been working tirelessly to boost local youths to rise above the hardships of ‘the hood.’
Hip Hop heals
Now he has been invited to Stanford University’s Centre for Diversity in San Francisco by Professors H. Samy Alim and Jeff Chang, who are both Hip Hop lecturers and authors.
Emile YX? will be highlighting the work he has done and continues to do in Cape Town, as well as translating various ‘Kaaps’ interviews held by Professor Alim in Cape Town during 2016.
A student of Professor Alim will help in creating a documentary about work Emile has done with his practical Hip Hop school called “Mixed Mense.”
As if he doesn’t have enough on his plate, Emile will also be completing his book that highlights his journey with Hip Hop from 1982 to the present day.
With his “So-called Coloured/Mixed Heritage Appreciation” group on Facebook, he uploads videos of great people from his community. He has uploaded 370 videos thus far.
Emile has spoken at Universities all over the world about his passion for healing through Hip Hop and the initiatives he has created.
He is set to be at Stanford from mid-August to December.
Emile YX? is a hero who has shown that a little healing goes a long way.
