Crosscut
Seattle’s 206 Zulu, the local chapter of an international hip-hop organization, celebrates its sixth anniversary with power and style: break-dancing, deejaying, a graffiti-writing expo, and more. Universal Zulu Nation was established by hip-hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa in the mid-1970s as a means of bringing together oppressed peoples, particularly of African ancestry. Its outreach today is worldwide and multiethnic, and its mission is to empower youth through a practice of hip-hop and to create positive change in communities through knowledge and education. The Seattle chapter formed in 2004. “The significance of having a Seattle chapter was that it was able to help unify different camps and crews,” says deejay and community organizer King Khazm, who leads 206 Zulu. “People started to see the importance of collectivity and being able to support each other on a larger level,” says Khazm. “It was just something that was needed, not just for the hip-hop community but for the youth who need something positive to go towards.” To read the full article, follow the above link.