UNCW Presents Launches Performing Arts Season with Afro-Colombian Hip-Hop Group ChocQuibTown
9/14/2007 11:59:35 AM
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Wilmington, N.C. - Latin hip-hop innovators ChocQuibTown bring their signature sound to UNCW's Kenan Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21. The artists will hit the stage, bringing with them their distinctive combination of rap, funk, ragga, and traditional Afro-Colombian as well as Latin American and Caribbean rhythms. This unique and innovative mix is only paralleled by their equally pioneering social agenda: to unite the people of Columbia, to spread their Afro-Colombian culture, acting almost as ambassadors of good will for their homeland, Colombia. The concert marks the launch of UNCW Presents' Arts in Action Performance Series, and is co-sponsored by UNCW Centro Hispano, Upperman African American Cultural Center, and Office of Academic Success Initiatives and Support.
Given the international artists' visa designation this concert is now free and open to the public. Tickets were originally $12 for the general public. Although admission is free, tickets are required. Call or visit Kenan Box Office at 910.962.3500. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. The ticket window is also open one hour prior to the performance.
Since forming in 2000, ChocQuibTown has built a vast Latin following. Setting the pace with their single, "San Antonio" (Saint Anthony), a hip-hop take on a traditional Afro-Colombian song, they quickly proceeded on to perform in Colombia's most renowned venues. In 2004, they secured their rising status by winning Colombia's popular hip-hop festival, "Rap al Parque". Wasting no time, the group put the prize money to work by commencing work on their debut album, Somos Pacífico, with Latin America's heavy hitting producers, Iván Benavides and Ernesto Santos. Despite releasing the album independently in late 2006, the album sold out completely within a month.
In their May 2006 issue, Shock Magazine cited CQT's seemingly endless standing ovation they received at Colombia's most prestigious music awards show, Premios Shock de la Música. Shock went on to say, "Far from imitating American rappers or Puerto Rican reggaeton, they have found their own language that has quickly gained them wide recognition."
Also far from most American rappers, CQT, is working towards more than simply producing great music: member Yahany "Tostao" Valencia states, "As a group, our principal objective is that the spirit of our (Afro-Colombian) culture and music no longer be unfamiliar in this country, or even in the rest of the world; everything from what we eat to why we talk the way we do should be known. We want to be a part of those spaces from which they have marginalized us, as an ethnic group and as art." Unfortunately, Valencia is speaking to the longstanding racial discrimination against Afro-Colombians in Colombia. Throughout history, Afro-Colombians have been marginalized in politics, leaving their voice unheard and the people without representation. ChocQuibTown knows about this inequality firsthand and understands full well that as they become more visible worldwide, the Afro-Colombian community will too. Though with their upbeat rhythms and catchy choruses, you might just want to get up and dance.
As part of their residency, members of ChocQuibTown will conduct several music workshops, demonstrations, and discussions September 19 & 20. These events are free and open to public for observation. For a complete schedule of activities, visit www.uncw.edu/presents.
About UNCW Arts in Action Performance Series
Sponsored by UNCW Presents, the Arts in Action Performance Series seeks to culturally enrich, educate and entertain both students and the general public through the presentation of diverse programs featuring professional, high-quality performing artists. For more information, please visit the UNCW Presents web site at www.uncw.edu/presents.
UNCW Presents is a member of the NC Presenters Consortium and the US National Association of Performing Arts Presenters. The 150 member venues of the NC Presenters Consortium may be visited at www.presenters.org.
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