Ten days before a holiday that calls for “Peace on Earth,” Sudanese child soldier turned activist-rapper, Emmanuel Jal, wants you to do something about it. So do George Clooney, Alicia Keys, Kofi Annan, Richard Branson, and Peter Gabriel. Just check out this video for Jal’s new charity single, “We Want Peace”.
The song – which features string arrangements from Gabriel – is a feel-good rap anthem that Jal hopes will attract attention to his We Want Peace campaign. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about a January 9th referendum that will decide whether or not Southern Sudan will remain a part of Sudan in general.
For those of us who have had our eyes and ears occupied by the all of the music news that’s happened this year, Jal’s website explains their take on the situation quite clearly. “Eighty percent of Sudan’s oil fields are in the south, making it a prime battleground to displace indigenous people,” they wrote in a press release, “Both North and South are preparing for war, leaving innocent people at grave risk for major human rights violations.”
