Bolivian Rapper Killed by Bus

El Alto-based hip-hop artist Abraham Bojorquez died early in the morning on Wednesday, May 20 in El Alto, Bolivia. He was killed when a bus hit him as he walking home.

Abraham, 26 years old, was a member of the popular hip-hop group Ukamau y Ké, and in recent years had become increasingly well known within Bolivia and internationally. His music blended ancient Andean folk styles and new hip-hop beats with lyrics about revolution and social change. Abraham Bojorquez in Wayna Tambo

Through his music he demanded justice for those killed in the 2003 Gas War, spread political consciousness, spoke of the reality of life in El Alto, and criticized the lying corporate media. He was a radio host at the cultural center Wayna Tambo in El Alto, and regularly traveled around Bolivia to prisons, rural and mining communities to offer classes on hip-hop to young rappers.[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a0KliA7S1I&hl=en&fs=1&]Medios Mentirosos

....Abraham had a very clear analysis of the misinformation put out by corporate and right wing media, and often rapped and spoke about the "lying media." As an artist and radio host, he also spoke regularly about the need to provide alternative, honest information about what was really happening around the world – the real stories about police repression, the root causes of poverty, corporate looting, as well as popular struggles and social change in Latin America. He seriously believed in the struggle to provide and distribute these real stories, so that they would become a part of the official history, and people didn’t go through life without knowing the truth about politics, society and history.
Text by Benjamin Dangl
For the complete story on Abraham: http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/1874/1/