PAZalo

Acrylic on Canvas + Hiphop, 2012

Colombia (Cartagena, Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cali & Medellín)

The original Hip Hop Declaration of Peace was signed at the United Nations in 2001 by many of Hip Hop’s pioneers, setting forth a set of principles to sustain Hip Hop Kulture as a global movement for the peace and prosperity of all peoples. The mural portion of PAZalo translated this declaration to Spanish on a hand-painted canvas scroll. Inspired by Hip Hop pioneer KRS One’s call to all Hip Hop scholars to begin our study of love with Dr. King, the scroll then travelled across five cities, accompanying over 150 Hip Hop leaders as they became trained in Dr. King’s philosophy and methodology of nonviolence and conflict reconciliation. These Hiphoppas were then invited to sign the back of the scroll as an expression of their commitment to nonviolence. The project culminated in a two week Trainer’s Institute where twenty five leaders from across the original five cities became certified by Civil Rights leader Dr. Bernard LaFayette and Emory University to train others in their community in Kingian Nonviolence. They continue training people across Colombia’s schools, jails, artistic collectives and Hip Hop festivals to this day.