International hip-hop artist and social justice activist Gunman Xuman will be coming into Madison to premiere in the brand new PanAfrican Music Sessions, created by local radio host and research scientist Alhaji Njai. The sessions will take place from Oct. 20 through Oct. 22, and will include “various community engagement talks, Live PanAfrican music sessions, and participation in first Hip Hop Annual summit along with Headlining First Wave Passing The Mic,” Njai wrote in a press release.

While the event is open to the public, a $10 donation is requested to support the projects by both Project 1808 and Jamarek, an organization co-founded by Xuman, which raises funds for education and community projects for youth in West Africa, specifically Sierra Leone and Senegal.

Raised in Senegal, Xuman is the TV host of a popular Senegalese TV show called “Journal Rappe”, in which he and other musicians rap the news. This “innovative approach to journalism has been highly effective in bringing attention to social, environmental, political, and cultural issues in Senegal and other countries,” Njai stated. Their approach includes presenting the news on Fridays, with an emphasis on being accurate and well-researched, in a way that engages the youth.

Furthermore, Alhaji wrote that “Xuman’s current work sits at the intersection of Hip Hop, social and environmental justice, politics, education, African culture, and journalism to promote democracy, good governance, human rights, as well as human and environmental health.”

The PanAfrican Music Sessions are a “series featuring music and musicians from Africa and the Diaspora,” said Njai. “… including the many genres born from African music in Latin America and the Caribbean. The series aims to create a new community of music lovers looking to know more about the culture, history, and people behind the music.”

Project 1808 has partnered with Jamarek, but also with UW-Madison’s First Wave and the Wisconsin Book Festival. Xuman will be performing at the First Wave Passing the Mic Festival.

Event Schedule

Panafrica Music Sessions: Talk with Xuman
Date/Time:  Thursday, Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m.
Venue: Threshold, 2717 Atwood Ave, Madison.

UW-Madison OMAI First Wave: Passing the Mic Festival
Date/Time: Friday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.
Venue: Overture Center, State St, Madison.

UW Madison OMAI: 1st Hip Hop Education
Summit and Wisconsin Book Festival
Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m.
Venue:  Overture Center, State St, Madison

PanAfrican Music Sessions Xuman Concert  and  Community Celebration
Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 22, 9 p.m.
Venue:  TBA, Madison

Event details and announcements for the PanAfrican Music Sessions can be found on Project 1808’s Facebook Page”.