Students of the "Writing Tasks" seminar wrote these reports on the "Comtemporary Writers' Forum" (July 2003), playing with different types of journalistic text genres. There are news reports, cultural reviews, and even a sports report!
Rap Sounds at University
On July 2nd the University of Siegen had an extraordinary session of its Contemporary Writers' Forum: Cathy Waegner was supported by the rapper Ambroise Gaglo, also known as Jr. Ar. Kay.
The African artist, who lives on Sylt now, showed the students his unusual way to express his thoughts and feelings in his own language. After a short introduction of words like "Nigggaez" and "XXL rap" he performed to inspire the students to write their own rap.
In the end the students had to present their composed lines which caused laughter and applause among the audience. This exciting lesson finished with a comfortable picnic. It was a day the students won't soon forget.
Creative Writing Workshop: Multilingual Rapper from Togo
Ambroise Gaglo showed some of his techniques about creative writing last Wednesday at the University of Siegen. It was very interesting to see how he included different languages in his lyrics and created new words.
But Ambroise Gaglo didn't only explain his techniques in theory; he also gave practical examples and performed some of his songs. Over and above that he gave students a chance to write their own lyrics.
The workshop was a fun and interesting experience.
What'z up with XXL 'n' Nigggaez?
"You are all Nigggaez!!!" Saying this to Germans can be very dangerous and unfavourable for your health - especially when you ar alone in front of 20 of them. But somehow Ambroise Gaglo survived his opinion. In addition, the German participants of his "Contemporary Writers' Forum" at the University of Siegen enjoyed it. Although there were some problems with understanding each other, Gaglo succeeded in imparting his points of view to the students. Making hip hop music in an XXL style, he told them how hip hop texts can include many languages and thus can unite many cultures and nationalities with each other. And "Nigggaez" (with triple "g") doesn't mean that everyone is black but stands for all people who are gentle, generous, and genuine.
The students seemed to understand and were then encouraged to create a rap text for themselves and present it to the forum. After having performed their results, it became clear: we are all creative and "I am a Nigggae, you are a Nigggae. We all are Nigggaez!!!"
Rap to Experience
Rapper Ambroise Galgo visited the Contemporary Writers' Forum of the English Department of the University in Siegen last Wednesday. At the beginning of the workshop Ambroise introduced the participants to his extraordinary way of making languages work for him. Originally separate languages such as English, French, and German fuse in his lyrics and new meaning emerges.
Equipped with knowledge about the specific vocabulary, the students gained an impression of Ambroise's work. He performed several raps, which he had composed only a few days before, live. The audience had difficulties in understanding each single word, but what really counted was that his message and the particular feeling went down well with the listeners.
In the second part of the workshop the students had the opportunity to create their own raps. They worked together in groups and come up with a wide range of lyrics: not only funny ones but also thought-provoking ones. The workshop's highlight was the students' performances of their self-made raps accompanied by Ambroise's music.
The event ended with a delicious picnic and relaxed chats. The afternoon was great fun for all participants.
Creative Writing Workshop: Multilingual Rapper from Togo
Ambroise Gaglo showed some of his techniques about creative writing last Wednesday at the University of Siegen. It was very interesting to see how he included different languages in his lyrics and created new words.
But Ambroise Gaglo didn't only explain his techniques in theory; he also gave practical examples and performed some of his songs. Over and above that he gave students a chance to write their own lyrics.
The workshop was a fun and interesting experience.
"We are all 'Nigggaez'"
Contemporary Writers' Forum at the University of Siegen features Ambroise Gaglo
SIEGEN - Yesterday, Ambroise Gaglo, an African rapper from Togo, introduced some Anglistik students and press representatives to his music style, concept and language. In addition, the students were encouraged to write and perform their own rap texts.
Gaglo, who works with several youth organizations, wants to eliminate the prejudices against black people. In his texts, which he skilfully performed, he also pleads for equality and freedom for all people, no matter who they are, or where they come from. For him we are all "nigggaez." But in contrast to the negative meaning of "nigger," this word has a positive meaning. The term "nigggaez" stands for all people who are gentle, generous and genuine (the three Gs), no matter whether they are black, white, yellow, or whatever.
His message is: "Be xxl (open to other people), and respect and try to understand each other." But Gaglo does not only spread his message, he also live it. He speaks English, French, German and several African dialects, and he is a person who infects everybody with his cheerfulness and frankness. In short: He is a nice guy.
When it was time for the students to make their own rap perfomances, most of them felt a bit embarrassed. Nevertheless it turned out to be fun in the end - at least for those who watched the others' performances. All in all, an interesting experience for everyone.
"Junior Ar. Kay." Scores
Ambroise Gaglo aka Junior Ar. Kay. From Togo, made a remarkable performance during an English creative writing workshop held on 2 July 2003 in AR-D 6104, at the University of Siegen. A unique style, EXXILISM - as Ambroise calls his self-developed brand of play - combines languages, cultures, Nigggaez, and HipHop-buk, wherein the 3 gs stand for genuine, generous and gentle (man & woman), and buk is a spirit of skills. Ambroise's moves of ease and grace and tongue-twisting rapping with whee, blee, gree, bree, wee, AF.ID., and Yo words solicited cheers and applause from the energetic participants. During half-time, the workshoppers divided themselves into groups and planned strategies as to how to match Gaglo's creativity.
When playtime resumed, each group executed their own created rap text, beginning with "New views, new faces, new words, new places: I need to get away, change the climate and the races." With the help of background music with matching dance steps, the results were astonishing, which fascinated even the master Rapper himself and prompted him to join the action. Towards the end, by delivering the encore, he sent the crowd further into ecstasy. Junior Ar. Kay.'s performance was certainly one for the record books.
Notes from Ambroise Gaglo:
Glossary:
whee is a short form of white
blee = black
gree = grey
bree = brown
wee = weed
AF.ID. = African identity
Nigggaez is pronounced "Nägggäs"
"Exxilism = exile & xxl; it is both a style and the name of my International Arts & Music Agency, which combines languages, cultures and Nigggaeizm."
"HipHop-buk comes from Buku and means "God" in my mother tongue, Ifê, a dialect (similar to Yoruba in Nigeria), spoken in the southern part of Togo, especially in Atakpamé where I was born and belong to. Hiphop-buk is thus a spirit that gives courage and hope, and enables persons to create their own works in a single and positive way with skill."
"The doctrine of Nigggaeizm: Nigggaez all come from God and are equal no matter what your skin color is, no matter who you are, no matter where you come from, no matter where you go to. Nigggaez are smart, democratic, nice, genuine, generous, and gentle (man & woman). We are all "nigggaez." May Buku be with us and bless the nigggaehood, yo, Peace!"