Melting-pot hip-hop collective Ozomatli will represent the US as Cultural Ambassadors.
The multicultural group, who take cues from Latin, reggae, funk and urban styles, have been awarded a Fullbright-Hays grant from the US State Department to represent the happy-clappy cultural pick n' mix that is modern day America. They're slated to spread the good vibes in India and Nepal from February 11 to 21.In India they promise free public concerts, workshops, classes and something dubbed "community outreach". The stated intent on their website is to educate Indian youth in music and "to advance mutual understanding between the United States and India."
Their Nepalese jaunt is to celebrate the newly ratified Peace Accord to quell ten years of civil war violence between Maoist rebels and Nepalese monarchist forces. The theme is "Unity In Diversity", where the band promise to hold workshops to teach young musical groups how to integrate social messages into their music.
The Los Angelinos are preparing their fourth full-length studio album, dubbed 'Don't Mess With The Dragon' and due out on April 3. Is the title an indicator which side Ozomatli picked in the civil war? We may never know.
