11 December 2005 sees the second Latin Hip Hop and Reggaeton festival at the Carling Academy Islington, London and also marks the weekend on which International Human Rights day falls. A number of Latino acts have come together — including special guests Asilo 38, all the way from Colombia — not only to celebrate this vibrant scene, but also to highlight the terrible human rights situation which currently exists in Colombia.

With reggaeton and Latin hip hop becoming the fastest growing music genre in the world today, Latino culture has become more popular than ever. This festival is the biggest showcase for Urban Latin talent in the UK. This year the event features Latin Clan (UK number 1 Latin Urban act), La Raza (featuring DJ Loco and MC Magico), Cultura Londres, Kid Afrika (whose songs are featured on the new MTV film Transit), Leximan, Criolla, Fido & Vane and La Tribu. With roots right across Latin America, these crews represent the future of Latin Music in the UK.

Asilo 38 are one of the biggest names on the burgeoning Colombian hip hop scene and have come over specially for this event. They come from “Aguas Blancas”, one of the poorest areas in Cali, Colombia and their music is a reflection of what is really going on in Colombia, but always injecting a message of solidarity, hope and revolution.

At the same as this event in London, 50,000 people will converge on the stadium in Cali, Colombia to create a pan-Atlantic global event, showcasing Colombian acts and also providing people with an opportunity to speak out on the human rights atrocities which are a commonplace occurrence in the Colombia of today.

Candela and Sunsound are two of the main Latin-Urban promoters in the UK and they have been involved in Latin Splash, Barrio Fino, Latin Flow, Mi Casa, Tequila Sunrise and Latin Jam amongst others. They also run www.reggaeton.co.uk, UK’s number one magazine for Urban Latinos.

War on Want, co-hosting the event this year, has worked with groups in Colombia for many years. Working with groups like Sintraemcali, a trade union fighting the corporate take over of Colombia’s basic services and Palenque el Congal, a grass roots group working to protect the rights of black Colombians, War on Want works with some of the country’s bravest and most inspiring people.

It’s also the first anniversary of Bulb magazine, the magazine on global issues for young people.

Notes:
- Other artists include: Latin Clan (UK-Venezuela), La Raza (UKColombia), Cultura Londres (UK) Kid Afrika (Cuba), La Tribu (UK-Colombia-Bolivia), Leximan (Cuba), Criolla (UK) and Fido & Vane (UK-Colombia). DJs EL Moreno Jose Luis and Loco. Hosted by Julian M.
- Venue: Carling Academy Islington. (www.islington-academy.co.uk)
- Ticket: £10 in advance, £12 at the door. Available from Sabor Latino and the venue.
- Online purchase: www.ticketweb.co.uk
- For more information on the event go to www.reggaeton.co.uk
- For more in formation on War on Want’s work in Colombia go to www.waronwant.org or call John Coventry, Media Officer at war on Want on 0207 620 1111