The Safaricom Hook Hip Hop Musical talent search has arrived in Kisumu over the weekend, giving aspiring singers, dancers and actors an opportunity to showcase their abilities and pursue careers in the creative industry.
The auditions held at Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall saw hundreds of young people with diverse talents turn up, with hopes of taking a leap to their breakthroughs. During the event, they were encouraged to take advantage of such platforms to fully express what they had.
Organisers said the initiative sought to identify and nurture emerging talent, giving successful participants an opportunity to showcase their skills both locally and on the international stage.
The Kisumu auditions were part of a nationwide talent search that has already visited Kakamega and Embu.
“We are giving the youth a platform to express themselves and showcase their talents to Kenya and the rest of the world because there are so many talented Kenyans in the arts industry,” one of the organisers said.
The initiative uses hip-hop as a platform for young people to express themselves through singing, rap, dance, acting and fashion.
Organisers said the programme aims to help young people develop their talents into viable sources of income while creating opportunities for them to participate in the creative economy.
A select number of participants from Kisumu and other parts of the country will get an opportunity to showcase their talents during the final auditions, where the lucky ones will walk home with bumper awards.
“We will make this a recurring annual event, just like Chapa Dimba, to help the youth earn from their talents rather than depend solely on their academic qualifications,” the organiser added.
Talent search coach Hellen Akoth Mtawali, of Nairobi Performing Arts, who served as a judge during the auditions, said Kenya had abundant raw talent that needed to be identified, nurtured and developed.
“What people don’t know is that as long as you can talk, you can sing, you can do something. This platform will tap on some very good and raw talents that just need such a platform to sprout. Grab this opportunity, dear young people.” She said.
She noted that investing in young creatives could help them turn their abilities into commercially viable ventures, opening up opportunities for employment and financial independence.
