Inside the Ethnic Studies Studio...Featuring Add+Plus

February 19, 10:30am - 11:15am
Mānoa Campus, George Hall 227

This presentation will feature Add+Plus, comprised of Seph1 (rhythm+rhyme) and PaizLee (keys+synths) who began working together in 2005 as lead vocalists for the group Tempo Valley and also for Groove Improv Artists beginning in 2007. Add+Plus will release their self-produced album later this year and their first single featuring Shing02, “4Eva Gatez,” is a song inspired by PaizLee’s late father and was released on the 1-year anniversary of his passing. A portion of the proceeds from their project will go towards the restoration of areas most affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines through NAFCON.

“Malaya LP” or better known as PaizLee has been woven into the Honolulu music scene since the late 90s when O‘ahu became her home. Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Southern California, her journey with music began early and has been nurtured through piano, flute, voice, acting, dance, creative writing and art classes. She attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Dance, her vision has been to integrate community work with her music & art. Performing for dozens of community events to raise awareness for various causes over the past several years, it was her experience with Illuminating Pin@y Voices, a mentorship training for gender violence prevention through the UHM Women’s Center that sparked an interest in working with the Pilipino community. During her work as a bilingual Pilipina advocate and case manager at a local domestic violence agency, she worked with survivors to empower them into a healthier environment. She continues to engage in mentorship and outreach projects with the youth to empower them through arts and culture.

Known as Seph1 in the HI, this spoken word artist has surfed the airwaves broadcasting Mondays from 3-6pm from 2010 to 2013. The emcee/host/selectah of his own radio show HI-Level Funkshun on KTUH 90.3 FM Honolulu, has been a representative of Hip Hop Arts in Hawai’i for nearly two decades. Born in Washington, DC, and raised around the world (formerly a military brat), Seph1 one has been a resident of HI for most of his life though he has traveled throughout the US and abroad, and it is his journey which has informed his conscientious lyricism as a recording artist. It was his journey through academia and his research through the Ethnic Studies department that prompted the politicizing of his poetry. He serves the people, not just through music and word-sound but also community awareness campaigns to empower the people. Over the course of the past year, his outreach efforts have provided training and workshops on healthy relationships for youth groups and mobilized young men to end gendered violence and rally against all forms of oppression. He has coordinated with art-based youth organizations on ad campaigns promoting Healthy Land, Healthy Bodies, and Healthy Relationships while encouraging creative critical thinking and re/connecting to roots and justice.


Ticket Information
This event is free and open to the public.

Event Sponsor
Department of Ethnic Studies, Ethnic Studies Student Association (ESSA), Manoa Campus, Mānoa Campus

More Information
956-6915

Share by email