Abramz Tekya is a Ugandan creative facilitator, veteran hip-hop artist, and educator who has spent decades proving that the elements of street culture can be the ultimate tools for social change. To the world, he is a pioneer of the breakdance scene; to his community in Kampala, he is a lifeline.
Abramz’s journey is a profound exploration of resilience. After losing both parents to HIV/AIDS at age seven and navigating the deep-seated stigma of the late 80s, he found a sense of belonging in the underground sounds of hip-hop. He eventually co-founded Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU), a movement that provides free education to both privileged and marginalized youth, dismantling social hierarchies through rhythm and rhyme. Today, his work bridges the gap between the slums and the university lecture hall, asking how we can design cultural environments where everyone is seen as both a teacher and a student.
Watch the full episode to hear how a childhood “lack” of access became a catalyst for creative originality—and why Abramz believes that the most effective way to empower someone is often to learn how to receive from them.
Credits for the StageLync Podcast
Host: Anna Robb
Editor: Rose Anne Fermocil
Music: Jeremy Willi
Design: Em Holt
Production Coordinator: Roselle Bernardo
Producers: Anna Robb and Andrea Honis
This post was last modified on February 16, 2026 4:45 pm