A Philadelphia native, Brandon Evans was immersed into the immense World of music at a 
young age. From discovering Michael Jackson and Miles Davis at 5, to applying his interest in 
learning the trumpet and piano at 10 and 15 respectively, his interest evolved into a full-blown 
love of music. Taking his talent, and creativity to a higher stage, he began composing music 
for various genre’s, from pop to R&B, and especially Hip-Hop. Graduating from Kutztown 
University in 2007, he continued to hone his talent and skills, driving himself to move towards 
his ideal sound. 

In 2011, he met with artist Warchyld, and together, they created songs that would make an 
appearance in both MTV (Caged) and Oxygen (The Paris Hilton Show), as well as peak DJ 
Kay Slay’s attention, which paved the way to a pivotal mix-tape. In 2013, he performed in the 
iStandard Showcase, where he stunned judges, who themselves are well established and in one 
instance, Grammy nominated. The momentum thrust him forward, and soon after, he was invited 
to the Philly Sound Sessions event, where some of the best the city have to offer are showcased.

ERIC ONASIS AKA MR. ONASIS 

MUSIC JUNKIE | PRODUCER.

Dj Nesta is the grandfather of reggae selectors in uganda. He started deejaying in 1996 as a party Dj with his cousin brother Ras Brown.They played on house parties,graduations, corporate parties,farewell parties,cocktail parties,weddings etc. In 1999 he and his cousin were known as NESTA & BROWN then after he and his cousin formed a reggae sound system known as RAS CLAN ENTERTAINMENT which became so big by promoting reggae music in uganda .Dj Nesta performed in places like Hunters cafe,Dv8 bar & bistro,The venue,Club Rouge,G4 pub,Victoria Tarvan,Jokers,Vorgo discotheque,Cascades,Club silk,Angenour discotheque,Volts Club,Flying Zone discotheque,Chez johnson,Bassment discotheque,Stick out,Fethers bar,The opening of Mbale resort hotel etc. He also started audio production in 2000,he produced songs like Nkubulide by Sylvester & Abramz,he made the sketch beat of Nsazewo by Benon & Vamposs,Lelo by lady slyke ft Survivor,Abakyala by Lady Slyke ft Mc yala & Prossy patra,Police by Jafia,Africa rise rmx by T-shila ft Babaluku & john strenger from german,Jukira by Survivor,Mpa omutima gwange by Ja'sty,Nkabongere by Lady slyke etc..Dj Nesta decided to live Ras clan entertainment and joined CAS DE RAS foundation for children & CAS DE RAS ENTERTAINMENT which promoted the upcoming music artists and also worked with children from the northern uganda. Later Cas de ras entertainment & Roots farai band joined to form MATOOKE PRODUCTION. Dj Nesta was one of the directors of matooke productions & matooke roots fusion. This organisation with its band gives back to the community through music by promoting upcoming artists ,having music workshops etc..He is now running his Audio and Video production company ( HEART BEAT RECORDS) and still working with CAS DE RAS FOUNDATION,and also currently working with the NEWS BEAT UGANDA....He is professional Deejay, Audio producer, Sound engineer and a Musician.

Eric Onyango Otieno is a Kenyan poet, born and bred in Nairobi. He began writing poetry at the age of sixteen, and has been performing his work in several poetry events including Kwani? Open Mic, A Word & A Mic, Poetry At The Park, Slam Africa, Poetry Spot, Upgrade Poetry, Poetry Under The Stars, Words Galore, among others, since he was twenty, under the stage name ‘’Rixpoet’’. He is the Co-Founder of Fatuma’s Voice, an arts forum that brings people together to discuss societal matters using poetry, music, dance, motivational speaking and other forms of art, and co-runs The Association Of Kenyan Poets, a Facebook group that looks into critiquing its members’ poems and facilitate online discussions and debate on poetry matters. His poetry has been featured in The Power Of Words Anthology, published by the Kenyan Poets Lounge in 2013. He is also involved in mentoring young poets across East Africa and is a social media executive when he is not creating poems. ''Rix'' is also the founder of Siri Zangu, an organization that's out to help people use their traumatic backgrounds for betterment of themselves and their surrounding by having them share their stories to heal.

Bila-wa is a platform that uses the fusion of Poetry, hip-hop, storytelling and local instruments for a positive cause. Under a slogan Bila-wa Dwon wa (literally meaning our voices).
The name Bila-wa comes from Luo words BILA (a long circular tube from an animal’s horn played by blowing from one end to produce sound) and WA meaning ours therefore ‘BILA-WA’...."OUR HORN" or Our Voices. The members appeal to the world to listen to their voices. 
Bila is used in Luo culture and tradition for creating awareness or call for attention about some happenings in the society.
This movement uses the conscious content form of hip-hop, where a poet/rapper is generally positive or calls for some sort of change or advancement. It often deals with social issues and the community. The majorly addressed issues are Child abuse, Drug abuse/addictions, early pregnancy, un-employment, Gender Based Violence and the like.
The Poets/emcees majorly use the Local language i.e. Luo which is meant to get straight to the local person’s understanding. However other dialects are also blended.
Bila-wa has female and male members aged from 12years to Adults, both school going and non school going.
Bila wa also has artist talented in Graffiti Art and Design

APPROACH:
Bila-wa uses various approaches and skills to address the mass. These include;
•	Slam poetry
•	Fusion of rap/hip-hop and local instruments
•	Storytelling
•	Beat boxing
•	Spoken word
•	Percussion discussion
•	Graffiti Art and design.

Bila-wa was founded in February 2012 by Rwot Onung p'yai a.k.a komakech Nicholas (R.I.P), Mc Wang jok a.k.a Rubangakene Ivan(Arts designer/Emcee) and Jok Ocol Ajuc a.k.a Ocan Samuel (independent video producer/Graphics designer), from Gulu, Northern Uganda, inspired by Bayimba Cultural foundation through its Youth & Hip-hop Project.
Trainings and rehearsals take place at Taks centre, Gulu on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with the Graffiti artists, poets/emcees, and the local instrumentalists coming together. 
Bila-wa puts up a presentation titled “Bila-wa night” which takes place every last Friday of the month at Taks centre, Gulu from 8pm to 12midnight.
Bila wa has one recorded song titled “LAPINY” (a Luo word for Bad spirits)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
Bila wa major aims and objectives are;
1.	To create a platform or place for the youth to do something positive and keep them away from negativity, as the saying goes “an idle mind is a devils workshop”.
2.	Preserving culture by integration with a medium (Hip-hop) that attracts most children and youth in both urban and rural community.
3.	To create a place for education and entertainment outside disco halls and pubs.
4.	To advocate for some group of people e.g. children, youth, women and the vulnerable.
5.	Sensitize the community about issues like health, Children right, Peace and unity in the society.
6.	It also aims at giving comfort and consolation to ones who are unable to go to school because of financial issues and former rebel abductees, orphans and war victims. 


FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT:

BILA-WA @ TAKS ART CENTRE, GULU.
           OR
            E-mail:bilawa46@gmail.com
            www.facebook.com/bilawamovement
            Tel: +256794448544
            www.youtube.com/bilawa
	
1.	THE DIRECTOR
RUBANGAKENE IVAN OCHAYA
E-mail: rubangavan@gmail.com
Tel: +256783448544

2.	COORDINATOR
OLOYA PATRICK
E-mail: pato.oloya@gmail.com
Tel: +256788952252

3.	ASSISTANT COORDINATOR.
OCAN SAMUEL
E-mail: smlocan12@gmail.com
                        Tel: +256774707812


Sylvester Kabombo is a Ugandan musician, social entrepreneur, educator, freelance project manager and events organiser.  He has written, performed and recorded music, and created career paths for many others making him one of the major pillars of the Ugandan Hip-hop scene. He’s the other half of the duo commonly as Sylvester & Abramz, one of the longest serving Hip-hop acts in Uganda that has inspired generations of emerging artists countrywide. Their song Lemerako was the first Luganda Rap video to go on air in August 2006 dominating playlists on Record TV and UBC TV. Sylvester has been instrumental in creating platforms for other artists to express themselves and also learn from each other. Over the years he has released music that has stood the test of time in addition to spectacular performances in and outside Uganda. Some of his memorable performances over the years in no particular order are ZIFF Festival (Zanzibar), World Music Day (2 editions), King Oedipus (first theatre play with a theme Rap performance in Uganda), Typical Fefe & Tiwony Concert, LaBa Street Art Festival (2 editions), We Love Uganda (3 editions), Hip Hop for Society, Sylvester & Abramz Annual Concerts, My World Images Festival Tour (Denmark), Bayimba International Festival Kampala, Breakfast Jam among others.

Bila wa is following