The ONE Campaign today joined forces with dozens of musicians
from across the globe to launch agit8, an urgent call for action against
extreme poverty in the crucial week leading up to the 2013 G8 summit in
Northern Ireland. An extraordinary line up of artists have added their voices
to the campaign by recording brand new versions of great protest songs, because
protest leads to progress and bold commitments from world leaders could be life
changing. U2 front man and ONE co-founder, Bono said: "This week we are
reminded of the words of the great agitator Nelson Mandela who said 'Like
slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be
overcome. Millions of people… are trapped in the prison of poverty. It is time
to set them free. Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be
that great generation.'" Since the 1970s Nelson Mandela has called upon
artists and bands to use their platform to fight injustice. We were honoured
then, we're honoured now. Ms Kidjo and U2 are joining other artists, including
Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Vusi Mahlasela, Ed Sheeran, Will.i.am, Mumford and Sons,
Elvis Costello, Sting, Green Day, Kid Rock, Rokia Traoré and Macklemore &
Ryan Lewis to urge and inspire a new generation to take action in the fight
against the injustices of extreme poverty and hunger. Artists from Mali,
Ethiopia, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, USA, UK, France, Japan, Germany,
Italy, Ireland, Canada and Belgium have joined up. Additional leading African
voices involved with the project include: Amadou and Mariam, Wayna, Yvonne
Chaka Chaka, Vusi Mahlasela, The Brother Moves On , SMOD, Tiken Jah Fakoly,
Daby Touré, Baaba Maal, Hugh Masekala, Krar Collective with Spoek Mathambo and
Venus Bushfire. Exclusive videos of their brand new performances of iconic
protest songs will be available at one.org/protestsongs and on Spotify.
Comments
Post a Comment