Hali Halisi - Rap as alternative medium in Tanzania (part 1)

(Part 1 of 3 - you can watch the other parts on Youtube) In June 1999, the Dutch Madunia foundation filmed Hali Halisi, a 30-minute video documentary about rap in Tanzania (East Africa). Hali Halisi (a Swahili expression meaning "the real situation") portrays rap as an alternative medium in Tanzania. Rappers and experts give their views on the emerging hip hop scene in Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar (Tanzania), and their thoughts on the importance of rap as a medium for communication. Shot in 1999 and released in 2000, this was the first film to document the vibrant hip hop scene in Tanzania, in a time before Bongo flava took over and when artistic integrity was more important than commercial appeal. It shows unique footage of Tanzanian youth's heroes such as rapper MrII, who at the time was more popular than the president. 'Hali Halisi' was also pioneering in its approach of hip hop as a platform for education and discussion among a generation that wanted real change in politics and society. The documentary was awarded 'best short documentary' at New York's H2O hip hop film festival, and an award was handed out to the makers by mc Jean Grae in the presence of hip hop pioneers such as Afrika Bambaata and Kool Herc. It has since shown on various film festivals in Africa, US and Europe. 'Hali Halisi' also served as a major inspiration to NGO's who discovered the use of rap as a way of communicating with the youth. Some of the artists featuring in 'Hali Halisi': -KBC (Kwanza Unit / Clouds FM) -Bonnie Luv (Mawingu studio / Clouds FM) -Gangwe Mobb (Inspekta Haruna) -GWM (D-Chief & KR) -Bantu Pound (Soggy Doggy, Snaz-T) -Mr II aka 2Proud aka Sugu -Deplowmatz (Dola Soul aka Balozi & Saigon) -Ras Pompidou -Abbas & Baraka (Underground Souls) -X Plastaz & Fortune Tellers (Arusha) -Sos B -P-Funk (Producer) -Bad Gear (Coca Cola popstars) -Mack D -Taji Liundi (ex Clouds/Mawingu) -Cool Para (Zanzibar) -Sebastian Maganga (Uhuru FM) And experts from Basata / Radio Tanzania Credits 'Hali Halisi' was produced by the Madunia foundation, in commission of the Scherpenzeel Media Foundation. The video was made on not-for-profit basis and copies are distributed against cost price. Directed by Martin Meulenberg Research: Thomas Gesthuizen Camera: Joost Kahmann More info & contact: www.africanhiphop.com