WAPI originally known to mean Words And Pictures was initially formed in 2006 with the British Council and managed by Buddha Blaze as a platform for underground artists to showcase their creative talent. In a country where music and talent are given no attention, WAPI had established itself over a 6 year period as a place where talents were made or enhanced.
Every month since June 2006, WAPI engaged with artists through the use of words and pictures along with activities such as music, rap battles, illustration exhibition, graffiti, spoken word, visual arts, open Mic sessions, discussions, workshops (Skill Factories), expositions and fashion. WAPI, is a platform for verbal and visual artists to express themselves, the platform also gave artists an opportunity to look at their careers as entrepreneurs by offering them a place to be seen and known.
WAPI was also able to create creative leaders, opinion leaders and successful trend setters.
WAPI is such a great platform that changed the entertainment scene in Kenya as we know it today because it has made rappers like King Kaka, Kayvo Kforce, Khaligraph Jones, Juliani and many others be who they are today in the music industry because it’s WAPI that made them who they are today to some extent.
WAPI coming back once again after being away for a lot of years is a great thing not only for the hip hop culture and the music scene in generally but for the youth scattered everywhere in the country, if there’s something that WAPI do and they are good at it is giving talented youth a chance which they would have never find any place else.
This is sure a blessing and it’s not a blessing in disguise but an open one since WAPI is about to bring out new talented artistes in Kenya in a matter of time, you wait and see. Karibu tena, WAPI. It’s been long overdue.
About WAPI(Words and Pictures)
WAPI was a forum established in 2006 by the British Council as a platform for underground artists to showcase their creative talent. The British Council approached Sarakasi in December 2008 to offer WAPI to the Trust based on the fact that WAPI fits very well within the concept of the Sarakasi projects. The first WAPI@Sarakasi happened in May 2009 until 2012.
WAPI was an established talent‐spotting platform – the place where tomorrows best acts and today’s best‐kept secrets were identified and enjoyed. WAPI artists used words, pictures and dance. Held monthly, the event included (and facilitates incl. a modest payment) activities such as music, rap battles, graffiti, spoken word, visual arts, open mic sessions, discussions, workshops (Skill Factories), expositions, fashion.
Through WAPI economic development in Kenya was stimulated by creating opportunities for talented young Kenyans and enabled young people to drive social change. Impact was also achieved through multiple media channels including TV, radio, online social networks and blogs.
WAPI didn’t charge entry fees and took place in a safe and positive environment.
WAPI Audience
The audience targeted by WAPI was the discerning Nairobi populace, aged roughly between 18 and 30. It reached up to 2000 young people at every monthly event, mainly from a middle-class background and the slums. They mostly hailed from Nairobi, but also Momabsa and Nakuru.
Apart from the youth that attend the monthly WAPI event, WAPI has an online following of at least 5,000 friends on Faceook and more on other blogs.
These are the confirmed artistes and celebrities that WAPI has played a major role in their career as artistes and entertainers in the country and I thought you ought to know them to know how much a force WAPI really is in the entertainment scene.
Artistes who are beneficiary of the supreme WAPI are;
1. Octopizzo
2. Ben Cyco
3. Antoneosoul
4. Muthoni Drummer Queen
5. King Kaka
6. Juliani
7. Khaligraph
8. MC Sharon
9. Morocco
10. Mr. Ree
11. Liz Ogumbo
12. Jinx
13. Wanjiku Mwaura
14. Sebastian Waneala
15. Imani
16. Saida
17. Corine
18. Adele
19. Xtatic
20. Enos
21. Ian Filipe
22. Mwafrika
23. Bankslave
24. Uhuru
25. Kantai
26. Lethium
27. Bhupi
28. Swift
29. Smoke Killah
30. Musa
31. David Hiqqs
32. Wenyegi
33. Sakanja
