Kenyan rapper's words inspire community recycling

SCENES shines a spotlight on youth around the world that are breaking down barriers and creating change. The character-driven short films will inspire and amaze as these young change-makers tell their remarkable stories.

As a young man growing up in the slums of Dandora, Kenya, Julius Owino had an interest in poetry and music. Being a young person trying to figure out who he was and what he stood for. He had two options, follow a life of crime or level up and become a better person. He chose the latter.

"The more I did the music part, the more I figured out how to understand my emotions, understand who I am, understand my environment, be observant of my environment and be observant of the world," Juliani tells Scenes.

His rapping style caught the attention of the Mau Mau Camp, who are considered the royalty of Kenyan Hip-hop. They started to make music together, which propelled him into stardom, meeting the Wu-Tang Clan and DMX, two hip-hop heavyweights.

Juliani just released his fourth album, called "Masterpiece". His albums Mtaa Mentality, Pulpit Kwa Street and Exponential Potential have garnered rave reviews among fans and critics.

Owino feels strongly about empowering and uniting young people. He raps in Sheng – a Kenyan language, mixing in English and Swahili because in a country divided by tribes and class lines, Owino says that's one of the things that unifies people, particularly young Kenyans.

"Kutabadilishwa na nani Kama si sisi" is the name of one of the songs on Owino's first album, which translates in English as "Who will change things if it's not us?"

Hip-hop may have saved Juliani's life, but his real work is building confidence and helping others. He's an urban social entrepreneur that's genuinely created change