Let’s face it – we’ve got some pretty awesome night time events at Festival of Health Research this year: great poets, great music, and great energy. Really, it might not be possible to pick one night over another, as far as highlights go. But it’s safe to say that if you come out to “Beat Rhythm” at Victoria Event Centre on October 15, you’ll find your body rocking and your mind exploding, your heart swelling and your ass danced right off. I mean, how is that not possible with a line-up that includes Scruffmouth, Rupert Common, and one of Canada’s best MCs, Kia Kadiri.
Kia Kadiri looks down on all those other MCs.
With love.
Kia’s been a stalwart in the Canadian hip hop community for a long time now. Here’s some reflections from her on why she loves what she does, and why she does it:
I have been so lucky to be blessed with a job that combines my love of music, performing, writing and teaching. It hasn’t always been easy, but over the last 20 years I have made a pretty good dent in my “legacy”, as one of the best female rappers in Canada. Considering I didn’t even appreciate or listen to hip-hop growing up, it is somewhat ironic that I have made a career sharing the elements and history of this culture that is now practiced all around the world.
I love sharing the skills that I have learned over the years, and most of the work that I do these days is for non-profit organizations that use the arts as a tool for reaching “at risk” youth. There is an inexplicable joy that comes from watching youth transform when they discover the power, and passion of their talents. I am a vessel to help them to find their voices, through poetry, music, dance and performing arts!
I have worked with many of the best musicians in the country, and I feel blessed to be a part of the spoken word community as well. I was deeply touched by the recent loss of the amazing poet Zaccheus Jackson Nyce. It reminded me more than ever that we have power in our words, and that we must share them with the world. The pain that we all feel, and the struggles that we all face, need to be communicated with each other, so that we can all overcome the problems in the world.
Kia Kadiri will be headlining our Wednesday night showcase, “Beat Rhythm,” starting at 11:00 PM, Wednesday, October 16, at Victoria Event Centre.
Kia Kadiri has been one of Vancouver’s most respected female vocalists in the Western Canadian Hip-Hop community for almost 20 years! Her energetic performances and unique style, keep her in demand with the best musicians in Vancouver, and in festivals across British Columbia. Kia’s passion for music, rap and poetry makes her extremely productive as a workshop leader. She works for a variety of non-profit organizations as an instructor and facilitator, working with and mentoring at risk youth. Her debut record “Feel This”, received acclaim across the country for thought provoking lyrics, excellent production, and blend of genres. From hip-hop to soul, jazz to drum and bass, Kia’s lightning speed raps, and articulate delivery when improvising lyrics, leave her in a class of her own!