It’s an act he calls transformational activism; one where hip-hop is used as a force to build up the community.
This type of humanitarianism is the trademark of Jonathan Bennett and his work. Bennett, also known by his stage name Raafiq, organized Weather The Elements, a community coat drive and hip-hop showcase to benefit those in need from the Muncie area.
The drive and showcase starts at 8 p.m. at Village Green Records. The event will be preceded by a dance workshop with the Ball State University Dance department from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Ball Gym.
For admission to the event, attendees must bring a winter coat, hat or other winter weather wear. The items donated will go to the Boys and Girls Club of Muncie.
As a Muncie native, Bennett has a deep understanding of the problems in Muncie.
“It’s affected everything I do, it molded and shaped me,” he said. “Last time I checked, a third of the people in Muncie were living below the poverty line.”
Statistics like this fuel his desire to make change.
Bennett is not alone. He is a member of the Tomahawk Zulus, the Indiana chapter of the Universal Zulu Nation, an organization founded by rapper Afrika Bambaataa. The Universal Zulu nation follows the beliefs of Bambaataa of “right knowledge, right wisdom and right understanding.” Each state chapter features dancers, rappers and artists. The group has worked with Relays for Life, Muncie Mardi Gras and Haiti Relief and Riley Hospital.
Bennett describes the members as ambassadors of the state. “They represent their town and they know their own towns’ problems.”
Amber Rowlett, also known as Pringlz, is the dance teacher for the workshop. She said her main goal is open the minds of those that will be attending.
“Most people when they take hip-hop dancing they are really just learning choreography which is watered down styles that come from hip-hop dancing,” she said. “There’s cousins of hip-hop, which is what I do, popping.”
She added that dance is an often-overlooked part of hip-hop. “People only ever see hip-hop music which is rap, they don’t get to see the culture. “
Rowlett intends to teach more than just dance moves. She said participants will be learning the foundation of hip-hop dance.
“ A lot of people have a really negative approach toward what they think hip-hop is, but I like to bring the positive in it so people understand it. Hip-hop is actually a positive culture, people just don’t get to see that side of it because the media always tend to focus on the negative,” said Rowlett.
Performers at the showcase will be P.Los Mega, Arson Gang, Verbal Godz, Ben Real. Donta Rollins known as Golden Eye will also be performing. Rollins is also from Muncie but has lived in Chicago.
Music was the link to getting involved in his community.
“I got involved in hip-hop through music that was community based,” he said. “I’m always drawn to listen to underground music. I came from the Gang Starr, Wu Tang Clan era.”
What drives Rollins enthusiasm is the act of helping.
“If we know that one kid is going to be standing at the bus stop warm, that makes it special,” he said. “We’re excited like it was a paycheck from a show.”
The connection to the community is also a factor that stirs excitement. “We’re not just collecting stuff that’s just going to be sitting somewhere. There are kids who go to school with my kids who are going be in these coats,” says Rollins.
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