In a world defined by war and occupation, artists from Harlem to Havana have used hip-hop to voice their opposition to injustice, and give life to their ideas for a better world. In words, in paint, on vinyl and through dance, people around the world have come together to build and sustain a diverse culture of protest through creative expression.
Mobilization Against War and Occupation’s (MAWO) Annual Anti-War Hip-Hop festival was created in an effort to bring people together both locally internationally to explore hip-hop as an important tool in the movement to end war and occupation. To date, it is the only festival of its kind across seven continents, but its influence continues to reach across the globe.
Our past four festivals have seen close to ten thousand people from all walks of life attend shows in Surrey, Burnaby , Richmond , East, West, and Downtown Vancouver. From fifteen-hundred people braving the elements at outdoor shows, to packed night-clubs and all-ages showcases in community centers, the festival has become an important cultural and political institution in Canada .
Over one-hundred and twenty-five artists from countries like Palestine, Guatemala and Somalia, along with some of the hottest local artists from across Canada have blazed the festival’s stages. These talented artists have generously donated their art and passion, and have made names for themselves with new and diverse audiences.
With sponsors such as the cities of West Vancouver , Richmond and Burnaby - along with dozens of students’ unions, community organizations, Hip Hop retail stores like Dipt Urban Hookups, and Ephin Apparel and numerous Hip Hop promoters – the festival reaches demographics and areas that the anti-war and hip-hop communities by themselves have never touched down in before.
Vancouver’s 4th Annual-Hip Hop Festival Against War and Occupation, “HIP HOP VS. WAR” was the largest, most successful festival to date. In Surrey and Downtown Vancouver, over 1700 people attended two packed days of workshops, tutorials, and a moving line-up of local and international artists. Featured on CBC national news and local print and radio, the festival exceeded expectations in breaking new ground and reaching new people.
Saturday’s events in Surrey kicked off with the workshop, The Rhymes and the Reasons: Hip Hop as a Voice of Oppressed People. Organizers had to bring out more chairs as highschool students, families, and the young at heart packed the hall. Presenters included Vancouver Grand Slam Poet Champion Scruffmouth, APTN/Showcase drama “Moccasin Flats” actor and rapper Os12, as well as youth worker and MC Ill Eagle.
The chairs were then cleared and the stage set for Estea El and Joose Justis to run the MC segment of Back to the Lab: MC & Breakdance Tutorials. The room formed a large circle as everyone clapped, shared the mic, and then crowded in to join the b-boys of the “Now Or Never Crew” light up the dance floor and share their skills. Now Or Never would soon go to on compete at the Battle of the Year World Finals in Germany.
The days events were capped off with an evening talent showcase, “Drop Beats Not Bombs!” which featured MuchMusic’s “RapCity” Chart top spot holding – Hellnback along with Manik 1derful.
For day two, over 1,500 people crowded the Vancouver Art Gallery over the course of the day to check out the exciting unity between the anti-war movement and hip hop.
Kelly White, a Coast Salish elder welcomed the festival to her traditional territory. After Kelly, a storm of artists took the stage.
Downtown Vancouver was shaking to the sounds of Discreet da Chosen 1, Twyla Dawn, Os12, and Project. Influents, Genetics, and Punjabi-fusion hip hop sensations A-Slam tied up the first half of the day.
500 people then crowded around the breakdancing floor, as an open session of b-boys and b-girls was led by the Now or Never and Rhythm and Actions crews. Throughout the day people were also drawn to the Malcolm X tent to see film, pictures and writings by the famous activist for justice, dignity and peace.
As the day progressed, Manik 1derful and Hellnback rocked another jaw dropping set, and 3 time Juno award winner Moka Only made a special appearance alongside 7th Generation. To cap off an incredible day, Kilawatt Records up-and-commer Heatwave reminded the crowd, “it’s bigger than Hip Hop!”
Vancouver’s Hip Hop Festival Against War and Occupation continues to surpass expectations, hurdle obstacles and open up space for people of all ages and backgrounds together to learn, to dance, and to shout in the same breath... “I Love Hip Hop!” “No To War!”
