The delightful soul/hip-hop performer Maya Azucena shares her talent and wisdom gained from growing up in Flatbush Brooklyn. Also a quick look at an African American rapper who can rhyme in Japanese!

Maya Azucena talks about her various influences, which range from classic soul to gospel to synth pop. She talks about her experience growing up mulitiracial in an African American neighborhood and how it shaped her worldview.

Hip Hop is probably now the most pervasive popular music in the world, but it’s still at its freshest on the streets of New York, where it was born. These fresh young talents give us a take on Hip Hop’s new directions and ever changing possibilities for expression.

Vanessa Hidary is a New York poet and performer who tackles issues of race , ethnicity and identity both onstage and off. She mixes rap, observation and story telling to explore difficult themes and issues of importance to us all.