By Mike Greife,
January 19, 2017
WARRENSBURG, MO – The Center for Religious Studies at the University of Central Missouri
will host reggae artist and activist Blakk Rasta in residence on the UCM campus in
Warrensburg.
Blakk Rasta will present a lecture, “Radio as the Most Important Tool of Activism
in Africa,” at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, in Wood 100. He will discuss why radio has
more patrons in Africa, and why radio programming on black history is sparking social
change. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Blakk Rasta will present a concert featuring his original Kochuko sound at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 28, in Hendricks Hall. Student musicians and members of the ABC Gospel
Choir will work with him during his residency and perform with him at the concert.
The concert is free and open to the public, but advance ticketing is requested to
assure adequate seating. Tickets are available from the Central Ticket office in Administration
100 from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, or online at ucmpas.com.
Throughout his residency at UCM during January, Rasta has lectured to classes on a
variety of topics, including Rasta vs. Reggae music; Kochuko vs. Reggae as a tool
of social change in Africa; and poverty, religion, colonialism, and corruption in
African society.
Financial assistance for Blakk Rasta’s residency and performance at UCM has been provided
by the Center for Religious Studies, Office of Student Activities, The Honors College
and the International Center, with logistical assistance from the Center for Africana
Studies, the Performing Arts Series, the Center for Multiculturalism and Inclusivity,
and David Aaberg and the Department of Music.
