One of the Universal Zulu Nation’s newest chapter is working hard to stake its claim in the world-wide organization. Zulu Nation Malta, also known as Hip Hop Malta, is getting major visibility.. What is Malta you ask? Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a southern European country and consists of an archipelago situated centrally in the Mediterranean, south of Sicily and north-east of Tunisia. Malta is just over 300 km making it one of Europe’s smallest and one of Europe’s most densely populated countries.
The colonizing chapter, with the leadership of Oliver “Jimbo Thinlegs” Scicluna has gained much support over the course of a year by not just the local Hip Hop community, but by the greater tight-knit society. Jimbo, a disabled b-boy and community organizer sees Hip Hop as an outlet that heals and empowers his community. “Since I am a disabled person from birth I know how these things have helped me grow better though years.”
Last month Jimbo and Zulu Nation Malta partnered with an organization called Razzett tal-Hbiberija (The Farm of Friendship) to prooduce an 8 hour telethon event called INSPIRE, a charity effort to raise money for specialized equipment for people with physical disabilities. This national fundraiser was broadcast on the nation’s 4 main television channels (TVM “Television Malta”, NET TV, ONE TV & Smash TV). From this, UZN Malta developed 3 hours of programming called the Throwdown, a Hip Hop showcase that included a breakdance competition, choreographed dance routines, as well as MC and beatbox performances. This program was one of the most successful of the whole, and generated over 75,000 euros total.
Malta plants seeds of Hip Hop
