The best way to understand hip-hop is to learn it from the masters. This is why US hip-hop band The Invisibles made it down to the American Center for Bridging Cultures Through Hip Hop on April 25. Carl “DJ Invisible” Hollier, Miz Korona, Richie “Robot” Steighner and Khary Kimani Turner took the stage with their turntables and taught a bunch of hip-hop lovers, well, how to hip-hop.
Each of them introduced themselves and did a bunch of exercises that explained the rhythm and flow of hip-hop. They even got a bunch of students to perform with them. During the workshops they rapped, played the console and beat-boxed along. The group even showed a documentary about their journey
After such a successful workshop, the band made their way to EZCC the next day where city-based rapper Cizzy was the opening act. The group also hosted a dance workshop at Prayasam, which was conducted by Hans Pierre of the group.
Carl “DJ Invisible” Hollier and Khary Kimani Turner
Miz Korona and Richie “Robot” Steighner
Carl “DJ Invisible” Hollier, Khary Kimani Turner (above), Miz Korona and Richie “Robot” Steighner during their workshop at the American Center. “One thing we noticed about Kolkata is that people love to honk and it sounds very cordial! *Honk* ‘Could you move please!’ And we also noticed that people are very nice to one another,” said Miz Korona when asked about the city.
“We find it important to share our culture with other countries where we work. It is wonderful to share something of our culture and show it to these students,” said Adrian Pratt, director of American Center Kolkata and public affairs officer of the US Consulate General Kolkata.
“It was very friendly; there was a discussion which I enjoyed. It did not feel like a lecture and if you want to know about hip-hop you have to learn from the people involved. It was not a superficial experience,” said Abhipriya Chakraborty of Seth Anandram Jaipuria College.
“I enjoyed the workshop a lot. I learned about hip-hop and also how a DJ works. I also enjoyed the documentary film that they showed us,” said Maria Sultana, a student of Adamas University.
Pictures: Rashbehari Das and American Center
