Every once and a while a musician will stand up when it counts and use the power of fame to help make things right.

Enter k-os and K'naan; two artists that use their music and their beats to spread more intellectual, more meaningful stories — stories of genocide, equal rights, and preserving the history and culture of rap.

K'naan and k-os, who both have previously taken to the Forwell Hall stage, will be returning to Fanshawe with their philosophies, this time without the smoke and mirrors of stage performing. They will, however, be staging a roundtable discussion in an effort to raise awareness of world issues and raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

While the discussion will mainly focus on how hip hop is changing the music scene, there may be some dialogue between the two musicians about their alleged friendly rivalry within the Canadian rap scene. According to rumours that began around Live 8, which K'naan performed at, k-os was upset that K'naan shot the video for “Soobax” in Kenya, and named K'naan the villain in his track “B-Boy Stance.” K'naan responded that he was just representing the struggle of people in Africa, and that k-os was out of line.

“But he's a great artist, great musician. I hope these things come to pass; I don't have any more to say about or to him,” he added in a CBC interview.

The discussion will be held October 5, 2005 at 9 pm in the Out Back Shack. It is a free event, but donations are greatly encouraged; every $5 donated buys a chance to hang out wth k-os and K'naan after the show. Other prizes include prize packs donated by the artists and include swag and autographs.

Donations can be made at sites throughout the college, including the FSU, the Shack, Oasis, the Falcon's Nest and the Fringe.

Both artists currently call Toronto home — k-os born and raised in the GTA, and K'naan emigrating from war-torn Somalia at just 13 years old. As musicians, both saw that the Canadian hip-hop scene has long been more than just an outlet for wannabe rappers with catchy tunes.

Instead, it is a powerful soapbox for rappers and MC's to educate their fans in Canada and worldwide. As their fame grew, both men saw more opportunities to share their beliefs through performing and the media.