Hip Hop 4 Haiti

The frigid night couldn’t quell a heartfelt crowd from attending the Harlem National Black Theater’s “Hip Hop 4 Haiti” fundraiser on January 30, 2010.

Beatboxers, emcees (a talented group which even included some under the age of 13), DJs, and a variety of other Harlem community members gathered at the theater to raise spirits and funds. One performing emcee proclaimed the show as “not a funeral, but a celebration.”

Hosted by Staten Island emcee NYOIL (New York’s Original International Lover), the New York City branch of the 32-city event hoped to raise $10,000 to aid in the aftermath of the earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The suggested donation was $20 per person.

Many of the performers and attendees had ties to relatives and friends in Haiti. Ephniko, an emcee with a shock of dredlocks and an easygoing nature, said his wife was Haitian and had family and friends who survived the disaster. “I’ve got several shows in New York lined up this week, so I thought I’d join in on this fundraiser,” he said. Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Ephniko has participated in other Haiti fundraisers in Miami, Florida, where he now resides.



Above is a photo of singer Kofi Black. Black often smiled as we talked, explaining that he sings everything from R&B to rock. "I'm fortunate enough to have known the host of Hip Hop 4 Haiti, NYOIL, when I was younger--he was my track coach," Black said. He has attended many other Haiti fundraising events in and around the city--and was actually going to head out to Jersey for another fundraiser immediately after Hip Hop 4 Haiti.

Kofi Black came onstage and his voice was as rich as his personality--beautiful and belting--he sang a capella and stunned the crowd.

The National Black Theater is located on 5th Avenue and 125th St in Harlem. It is one of the many black community centers in the neighborhood, according to Nubia, a volunteer from Susie’s Hotsauce which sponsored the event.

Although Nubia is not directly involved with the theatre, she says she “heard through the grapevine, radio, and organizations within the community” about Hip Hop 4 Haiti. Nubia lives in Harlem and spoke about the strength of community within the neighborhood. “Harlem has a lot of townhall meeting organization,” she said, “We are good at bringing people together for love and support.”

The significance of community in Harlem is widespread, according to the Mayor of Harlem, Dr. Delois Blakely. Dressed in traditional African attire, the elderly Dr. Blakely graciously greeted guests at the event and welcomed newcomers to the Harlem community.



12-year-old Emcee Nini Ali with Dr. Delois Blakely and another young emcee, posing for the press.

As Ambassador of Goodwill to Africa, Dr. Blakely travels internationally and attends United Nations conferences to speak out against social and economic injustice. She is also known as the QUEEN MOTHER and exudes a calm demeanor, wisdom engraved in her kind, soft face.

Dr. Blakely's past holds remarkable life experiences and achievements. Among many other accomplishments, Dr. Blakely received two Masters of Education degrees--one from Harvard and one from Columbia Univeristy--was a Fulbright Scholar in Tanzania and Nigeria in the 1980s, and is constantly traveling to and from various African countries on diplomatic and social duties.

Dr. Blakely is also the first woman to hold the office of Harlem mayor.

The hopeful spirit crossed age barriers, as a confident twelve-year-old spoken word emcee named Nini Ali declared onstage that it was “an honor to be here for such a worthy cause.” Her words of hope in her poem “Hip Hop and Me” were edifying to the audience: “It’s designed to make you think free / emcees will enlighten me,” pushing the importance of education.


Nini Ali: "The rhymes I sing aren't for some record deal--but for a college degree"



Optimism permeated the event, as performers onstage encouraged Haitian pride in the audience: “Can I borrow that [Haitian] flag please? I feel naked without it,” shouted an emcee. Continued cheers of “Haiti will rise!” fueled the crowd’s energy.