A hip-hop collective aims to grow the music community through freestyling sessions.
Story so far: Wanandaf, in collaboration with Dakhnistan Studios and Yuvashakti Karnataka, recently coordinated Bengaluru Rural District’s first cypher at Nelamangala’s Ambedkar Bhavan. In hip-hop, cypher culture refers to the rappers, beatboxers, and breakers’ freestyling sessions. Previously, the hip-hop collective has organised cyphers at Lal Bagh, MG Road, Cubbon Park, and Indiranagar Basketball Club.
- Co-founder Akash Rawat (AKX) conceived the idea to rap in parks with just beats on the mobile phone and no mics or speakers. In Nelamangala, hip-hop enthusiasts and artists welcomed the idea.
- The organisers arranged the venue and gadgets required for the cypher and mobilised people to attend or perform at the event.
Why this matters? The cypher organisers see the new event as a catalyst for spreading hip-hop culture in rural India. Cyphers allow people with diverse experiences to assemble, express themselves, and represent their community. It is a space devoid of discrimination or judgement.
(Image credits: Wanandaf’s Facebook post)