Gangsta Rap for the Kids

Rappers put on benefit show in the Bay Area for Afghan orphans

Updated 11:56 AM PST, Wed, Nov 19, 2008

Print Email Share TWITTER FACEBOOK

Hip hop may not be the music of choice in Afghanistan but that is not stopping a group of rappers from trying to get their name out there in the war torn country.

On Thursday, self proclaimed revolutionary and powerhouse independent rapper, Immortal Technique, will perform live on stage at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco, to raise funds for a badly needed orphanage and medical center in war torn Afghanistan.

The controversial rapper will bring a group of friends, including Chino XL, Hassan Salaam, Da Circle and the Bay Area's own Ras Ceylon.

Technique is Known for his fiery lyrics that center on corruption, racism, classism and oppression.

The Harlem based rapper has also developed a reputation for lacing his words around his politics, which are often critical of the government, the war on Iraq and the corporate structure.

But for three nights politics will take a back seat to humanitarian work.

Technique will be working closely with human rights advocacy organization, Omeid International, to help develop an orphanage in Kabul where some of the two million orphaned and 60,000 homeless children of Afghanistan will receive full scale rehabilitation from the devastating effects of war.

Thursday's concert will benefit Omeid International and a second performance on Friday in Berkeley will be free to the public to bring attention to a forum on Saturday, sponsored by Project Greenlight, at Santa Clara University called "Connecting Universal Struggles," where Technique will join Zaid Shakir, hip hop journalist Adisa Banjoko, Illume Magazine columnist Naem Randhawa and others to discuss the struggles in Afghanistan and other parts of the world.

Immortal Technique is pledging $10,000 of his own money and traveling to the war torn heartland of Afghanistan to assure the final stages of construction are completed.

It will be an opportunity to come and join in before his departure.

Doors open at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday. Tickets for the show are $19 in advance and $22 at the door and it is open to all ages.

Friday's performance is open to the public for free at the University of California Berkeley's campus at 5 p.m. and Saturday's forum is at 4 p.m. at Santa Clara University and cost $5. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.