FALL CONCERT: WORDS BEATS & LIFE

It's been couple of years when I started attending the seasonal concert at ISG Campus, organized by the U.S. Consulate General Dhahran. Different artists are being invited to tour and perform in different regions of Saudi Arabia . This kind of event in the Kingdom is such an amazing opportunity for expats like me, who's longing for different kind of activity aside from doing my day-to-day routine at work!

The usual invitation came in my email for this year's Fall Concert which made me feel excited, thinking that it was such a perfect time to have a break from my everyday pattern. Upon reading the invitation, i found out that a group of hip hoppers called WORDS BEATS & LIFE will be visiting the region to do a live hip hop performance. Curious as I was, I immediately check their website to know more about the group.

I have learned that Words Beats & Life is not just a group of hip hop artists, it's actually a community consist of Artists, Scholars, Educators and Activists, and "they use their talents to transform the lives of members of their communities and the institutions that impact their lives. Their community transcends geography, age, race, religion, language, orientation or gender."

"Words Beats & Life began as a Hip-Hop conference at the University of Maryland in the fall of 2000; the founders worked to create a vehicle to propel individual lives and communities through Hip-Hop. Today, Words Beats & Life uses a holistic approach to youth and community development that involves Hip-Hop artists, scholars, educators, activists, and allies."

The crowd was ready to groove to some hip hop music when we enter the hall. Wasn't sure if anyone can do some hip hop dance moves like breaking, locking, and popping. Some familiar faces were there, they've been always present to most of the events of USCG.

One of the things I usually enjoy when attending a concert in ISG Campus is the free shawarma and soda. Lols.

The Consul General Dhahran himself, Mr. Mike Hankey, introducing the US hip hoppers Words, Beats & Life.

All Set!

WB&L is not all about doing funky stuff, they brought delightful sounds as well which were pleasing to ears. A guy with his guitar performed his cool version of "Love Yourself" by Justine Bieber. I didn't saw it coming, that was really unexpected! Lols.

The group promotes arts and talents. They even invited a poet from the audience which then given the spotlight to narrate his own composition while a group of local talents were also requested to perform hardcore hip hop dance moves on stage.

Before the show ends, the group encouraged the crowd to take an interest in Graffiti session.

Graffiti is writing, drawing, or putting other marks on a wall, often within public view. Everyone was excited to scribble and paint their names on the graffiti tarp which was placed outside the hall. I tried it also, yeah, it was fun. Hah.