Maru a Pula Secondary School played host to a very interactive writers workshop, hosted by Creative Native, on Saturday.
The workshop lasted hours but hip hop lovers would have been disappointed by the missed opportunity as there were a number of empty seats.
With guest speakers, such as ex Exodus member and poet, Mandisa Mabutoe, hip hop artists, Gabriel Rasenyai and Obakeng Kokwe, who own Heaven Sent Productions, it was a chance to enhance their knowledge and hone their skills.
The workshop was an opportunity for students to try and learn from the experienced writers and give young ones a platform to express their creativity. At the workshop, questions were raised as to why there was difficulty breaking into the music industry and sustain ones music and brand and building on it.
According to rapper Blain, who was in the audience, the lack of a big turnout did not deter those in attendance as it allowed for a better interaction instead of experienced writers just preaching all day to the students.
“It was one of the most effective and interactive direct writers workshops I have ever been a part of, the lack of attendance made it more of an interactive experience,” he said.
The workshop also focused on how to use metaphors and similes in order to entice the audience and better ones writing. The use of imagery and emotive language, along with storytelling, were emphasised and taught to the students.
A producer from Heaven Sent touched on the corporate side of hip-hop and what the essential driving point behind most record labels is. The workshop began and ended with some recitals by both recognized writers and the younger generation who were keen to impress.
The growing concerns maybe the disinterest and lack of impetus shown by the hip-hop lovers and those aspiring hip hop artists out there.
Initiatives like this ought to motivate and encourage younger acts into taking a more active role.
The brain behind the workshop, Mbakiso Magwape, said the turnout could have been better but he was, nonetheless, happy with the contributions.
“The schools were in the middle of midyear exams but everyone played their part, they shared their ideas and feelings,” he said.
