( CNN ) -- Street art has forever been a vibrant tool of personal expression manifesting in a variety of unique ways . In Africa it comes in the form of beautifully painted shop fronts , alternative methods of political campaigning and striking murals designed to inspire . To celebrate the best of African street art , CNN iReport asked for your submissions of the beautiful , political , or just plain fun . Back in the 1970s it was a gritty subculture associated with the streets of New York City , but these days the underground art of spray can graffiti can be found around the world , and Africa is no exception . Mozambican rapper Shot B submitted some of his work to iReport from around the capital city of Maputo . For him , being a street artist -- in addition to his musical exploits -- helps him share his voice with the local community . `` This wall is working as a sketchbook ... Street is a space that I feel people can learn , and people can meet art and so that 's what motivates me , '' he said . Watch : Rapper turns to street artist . `` I love doing graffiti because I think that 's something straight related with me . I got love for the streets . I got love for spray cans . '' The legitimacy of graffiti has been an ongoing discourse in developed nations for several years thanks to the rise in popularity of anonymous guerrilla artists like Banksy and Invader . Similarly to Shot B , striking work by South African graffiti artist FALKO1 can be found on walls in and around Cape Town . Much of his work incorporates the design quirks of the building he is working on , to the effect that it often seems to have evolved with the building itself . `` I 've been a graffiti artist with a strong traditional Hip-Hop influence since 1988 , '' he said to CNN iReport . `` I do n't really consider myself a street artist but a graffiti artist/writer who dabbles in 'street art ' . '' Many rappers like Shot B and FALKO1 use graffiti as an extension of their Hip Hop-inspired expression . But street art is also providing others with a political voice . While traveling through Morocco , iReporter Julee Khoo stumbled across a series of partisan murals . Intrigued by the designs , Khoo reached out to Moroccan colleagues who informed her that each local party is given public wall space to present campaign pledges , usually through election posters . `` Some parties have iconic symbols that represent them , so instead of posters , they use spray paint and stencils to paint the image of their party 's symbol on the wall , '' she explained . She added : `` It 's a much simpler , yet less wasteful , greener way to distribute campaign information . The wall also enables parties to interact with the illiterate members of the population . `` I can appreciate the value in having a symbol representing a party so someone who can not read can simply pick out the identical symbol on the ballot in order to cast their vote -- makes the voting process a more accessible one . '' Meanwhile in Gambia , local communities are using street art as a way of presenting their culture . Rimon Guimaraes , an iReporter from Brazil , captured a remarkable mural on a school faÃ§ade in Kubuneh . Created by his friend Noha , the mural is part of a larger body of work from the Wide Open Walls project , which aims to bring resident artists together to celebrate the Gambian communities while encouraging tourism in the region . `` I believe that the culture of Africans inspire artists of all the times , '' he said . `` Modiglianni and Picasso are some examples of African influence in the art world . '' In Nigeria , iReporter Edidiong Uwemakpan captured a stunning mural on the side of the Orange Academy offices , a brand advertising college in Lagos , Nigeria . Created by local artist Kimson , the piece was commissioned by the college in the hopes of inspiring students by featuring several Nigerian personalities including musician and rights activist Fela Kuti . `` I like the fact that the artwork was done on the first floor of the building and the outer fence , '' he said . `` Together it told a story of liberation of the mind , of freedom , of standing for what you love and succeeding . '' CNN 's Mark Tutton and Sarah Brown contributed to this report .
African street art includes graffiti , inspiring murals , painted shop fronts . It provides an outlet for political voices and local culture . Cape Town is home to a thriving graffiti scene with a social message .