Abramz is arguably Uganda's biggest hip-hop star. He's performed and spoken all over the world but he's never forgotten his roots and has been the inspiration for many to follow his lead.
Abramz is arguably Uganda's biggest hip-hop star. He's performed and spoken all over the world but he's never forgotten his roots and has been the inspiration for many to follow his lead.
Marc Hoeferlin/CNN
Tekya Abraham grew up in Kampala, Uganda's capital. His love of words and hip-hop came from watching U.S. rap videos as a child.
Tekya Abraham grew up in Kampala, Uganda's capital. His love of words and hip-hop came from watching U.S. rap videos as a child.
Marc Hoeferlin/CNN
Tekya and his brother Sylvester started rapping together in the early 1990s and won a recording contract some years after.
Tekya and his brother Sylvester started rapping together in the early 1990s and won a recording contract some years after.
Marc Hoeferlin/CNN
Abramz doesn't just rap, he's also a talented breakdancer and regularly performs in the streets he grew up in.
Abramz doesn't just rap, he's also a talented breakdancer and regularly performs in the streets he grew up in.
Marc Hoeferlin/CNN
Abramz hails from Kasubi in the north of Kampala. It was here that he watched the rap videos on a neighbor's TV.
Abramz hails from Kasubi in the north of Kampala. It was here that he watched the rap videos on a neighbor's TV.
Marc Hoeferlin/CNN
He and his brother performed locally and won a competition to earn a recording contract. He often goes back to work with artists from where he learned his trade.
He and his brother performed locally and won a competition to earn a recording contract. He often goes back to work with artists from where he learned his trade.
Marc Hoeferlin/CNN
Today, Abramz and Sylvester are some of the biggest names in hip hop and still perform in front of fans at concerts in Kampala.
Today, Abramz and Sylvester are some of the biggest names in hip hop and still perform in front of fans at concerts in Kampala.
Marc Hoeferlin/CNN
Abramz believes the best way to hear his music is live where he can improvise and freestyle as well as engage with the crowd.
Abramz believes the best way to hear his music is live where he can improvise and freestyle as well as engage with the crowd.
Marc Hoeferlin/CNN
He founded the Breakdance Project Uganda which teaches dance, music and art with education programs that allow poorer kids to go to school.
He founded the Breakdance Project Uganda which teaches dance, music and art with education programs that allow poorer kids to go to school.
Marc Hoeferlin/CNN
Abramz still credits the slums with the success he's enjoyed over the years and hopes others can follow in his footsteps.
Abramz still credits the slums with the success he's enjoyed over the years and hopes others can follow in his footsteps.
Marc Hoeferlin/CNN