sightupdate

Music

Rapper Fuse ODG Debuts Band Aid Rebuttal Music Video

2024-12-03

Sheeran once stated that a decade has passed and his perception of the associated narrative has transformed, as eloquently expressed by @fuseodg. Fuse ODG himself had shared, "I declined to participate in Band Aid as I recognized the harm such initiatives inflict on Africa. Although they might evoke sympathy and generate donations, they perpetuate harmful stereotypes that impede Africa's economic growth, tourism, and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and undermining its dignity, pride, and identity." His latest video showcases some of the continent's magnificent waterfalls, oceans, and bustling cities, while also paying homage to renowned black leaders such as former Ghana president Kwame Nkrumah.When discussing "We Know It’s Christmas (A Band Aid Reply)", the artist explained that it was intended as "a reflection of where we've come from and where we're headed." He said, "Ten years ago, I took a stand because I believed it was time for Africans to narrate their own stories and redefine the narrative. This song is a celebration of that shift. We are no longer reliant on charity; we are building our own futures." It is about empowerment, pride, and demonstrating to the world that Africa's story is far more than poverty and aid.This article contains content provided by Google YouTube. We seek your permission before anything is loaded as they may use cookies and other technologies. You may wish to read [Privacy Policy](https://www.example.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://www.example.com/terms) before accepting. To view this content, choose 'accept and continue'.The music video serves as an audiovisual response to the latest version of "Do They Know It’s Christmas?", a charity song initially written in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for the famine in Ethiopia. The new "ultimate mix" of the Band Aid single combines vocals from multiple versions of the charity single recorded over the years, enabling George Michael to duet with Harry Styles and Chris Martin to harmonize with the Sugababes. Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley, who also sang on the original, told BBC Radio 2 that critics like Sheeran "should just keep quiet. If you take that stance, then no one will do anything to assist others. So it's just nonsense... Everyone is doing their part to support various charities, and we were doing our part innocently to support what was happening in Ethiopia... So what should we do? Sit back and do nothing?"Speaking to the BBC Breakfast last month, Fuse ODG remarked that although the original Band Aid project was "touching" and well-intentioned, the lyrics and associated images were now having a detrimental impact and deterring people from visiting Africa. He said, "It was touching to see the efforts initially put into it, with the British public and different celebrities coming together to support a good cause as there was a crisis that needed attention. I have no issue with that; I think it was fantastic. Even just watching it back, I'm getting emotional. But in that act of kindness, in that process of trying to help a crisis, we created another identity crisis. As a child who has now grown up in this era of such images, Band Aid and initiatives like it have portrayed Africa as a place of famine, poverty, and disease. It has eroded our collective sense of pride and identity. So, while trying to solve a temporary crisis, we have caused another dangerous crisis, which is an identity crisis for an entire continent."He further told BBC Africa that despite being "excited" initially to be invited to participate in the latest star-studded charity track, his overarching "mission" as an artist is to "realign how the world views Africa and how Africans feel about themselves." He added, "It struck me that the images portrayed by the Band Aid project did not align with our mission to present Africa in a positive light." Regarding the debate, Midge Ure recently acknowledged the criticisms of Band Aid's approach in the modern context, stating that it was "unfortunate" that Sheeran was not consulted about the 2024 mix. He told Radio 2's Jeremy Vine, "I understand the whole 'white saviour complex'. It's not new; we've been facing this for 40 years. However, the song is not about portraying Africa negatively; it is trying to showcase the real-life consequences 'of famine, of war, of conflict'. And the outcome is children who require food, medication, and education, which is what we address." Fuse ODG also noted that there are starving children in the UK.