Ghana’s Yoyo Tinz launches crowdfunding campaign for festival

"We need you to help our crowdfunding efforts with however much – and however little – you can for us to raise €25 000, the amount we need to be able to smoothly produce our...hip hop festival," the organisers said.

Established in 2013 by the photographer Selorm Jay and based in Accra, Yoyo Tinz documents the broader culture of African hip hop through in-depth articles, interviews, documentaries, panel discussions and concerts. Since it came on the scene, Yoyo Tinz has helped outfits like Alliance Française Accra, organise successful hip-hop festivals. The group has also appeared at the popular Chale Wote Street Art Festival in Accra.

The planned festival will commemorate the fifth anniversary of the platform. Over two days, the festival will showcase hip hop via its five elements: rap, graffiti, beatboxing, breakdancing and deejaying. There will also be showcases of photography, fashion and cinema.

According to the organisers, the festival presents “an opportunity to replicate these past events with a twist. This time the organisation aims at bigger things: bigger venue, bigger audience, more international artists, more activities and so on.

“It is high time that people working in the cultural sector get paid for their work, just like any other professionals. This time we want everyone involved in the festival to get paid: volunteers, artists, technicians, cleaners, photographers.”

To cover expenses, the group will organise fundraising events ahead of the festival. Already the group has created crowdfunding campaigns on Indiegogo and PayPal. Interested parties can also support Yoyo Tinz locally through mobile money: 0556180199 – Michael Armah (MTN), 0262134635 – Michael Armah (Airtel), 027 983 9333 – Victor Doe Atiso (Tigo), 020 796 4500 – Sena Asante (Vodafone).