#AfricaStopEbola and #BandAid30 : music to fight against Ebola

« There is hope that Ebola can be stopped, trust the doctors » The chorus of the song “Africa stops Ebola” spreads a message of hope: 5700 people in West Africa already died from Ebola but the epidemic can and will be stopped. Tiken Jah Fakoly, Salif Keita, Amadou and Mariam among other African famous singers have joined forces to record a song to raise awareness in West Africa about the Ebola disease and to support the work of Doctors Without Borders (DWB). an international and humanitarian medical organization that has deployed 3,300 health workers in countries affected by the Ebola epidemic in West Africa.

The key messages delivered by the song – developed  by an expert from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London  - are directed to citizens of West Africa with the aim of informing them of what can be done to deal with the Ebola epidemic. Artists sing in French and in local languages of the affected regions to ensure that the message is heard and understood by all, regardless of the level of literacy and education of the population. A video clip of the song is being broadcast on television and on local websites throughout Africa, with the support of a team of local music promoters and community organizations. The song has also been distributed to radio stations in the region with the support of AMARC, the World Association of community radio stations.

This record is being marketed and distributed by Maison Barclay, a Universal Music Group label. Africa Stop Ebola is available for download on all online music platforms (such as Itunes, Amazon and MusicMe), as well as via streaming (ex. Spotify or Deezer). 100% of the profits generated by the purchase or streaming of the song will be donated to Doctors Without Borders.

At the same time British singer Bob Geldof has pulled together a host of pop stars to record a second song – in 1984 with the recording of ‘ Do They know it’s Christmas” he and many singers called themselves “Band Aid” and raised £10m for famine relief in Ethiopia. Thirty years later “Band Aid 30” gathers some of today world’s music stars who have recorded a new version of the song. A few seconds after it was online on November 17^th the songs allows to raise more than £1m. In France many singers also joined force recording the French version of the new track “ Christmas is here” –the original song was adapted by Carla Bruni. This single gathers singers such as Renaud, Zaz, Vanessa Paradis, Thomas Dutronc, Tété and Yodelice.

Find out more :

The complete list of African artists participating in #AfricaStopEbola : Tiken Jah Fakoly, Salif Keita, Amadou & Mariam, Oumou Sangaré, Kandia Kora, Mory Kante, Sia Tolno, Barbara Kana; rappers Didier Awadi, Marcus and Mokobé, as well as musicians Sekou Kouyaté (electric guitar, bass, electric kora) and Ludovic N’Holle (drums).

The project website #BandAid30France