Dynamic Duo
Kiko Beça & Matias, a DJ duo from Porto, are enthusiasts of hip-hop music culture. Living in a marginalised urban area has impacted their access to this music genre, as hip-hop culture only began to be more influential in Portugal from the 1990s onwards, due to lack of information about it and limited access to the internet. At that time as well as today, the most deprived neighbourhoods of Porto have been a birthplace of many Urban Arts groups and artists of different fields, including graffiti, breakdance, writing, Mc’s and DJs. Unfortunately, these artists are still confronted with the stereotype of Urban Arts seen as a form of vandalism.
Kiko illustrates:
“I grew up interested in underground culture and I always loved music. When I grew up, I started putting my energy and money into creating and producing my own music as an amateur DJ, playing in friend’s parties.”
Kiko supports members of his community by offering music and mixing lessons. Many kids from his neighbourhood, curious about urban music, don’t have access to music education, and their interest in this specific genre is not being validated. Kiko does his best to independently support and welcome all of those who want to learn more about the hip-hop, through building an informal network in his community and teaching. With his friend Matias, they form the DJ duo that continues to carry on projects and perform locally. Kiko adds:
“I do feel that there is a stereotype associated with Urban Arts, as it is seen as something less positive for society or even of less value.”
The change of mentalities, the acceptance and support of Urban Arts as a tool for participation and social inclusion is happening mainly in Lisbon, but Kiko hopes that knowledge of the Urban Arts Education will soon reach the whole country.
URB_ART spoke to Kiko from Kiko Beça & Matias a DJ duo from Porto and enthusiasts of hip-hop music culture. They support young teens that have an interest in urban music with mixing lessons, and are also amateur performers, carrying on projects and performing locally.
Links: Instagram
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