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Last week, it was announced that we are getting a remix of Band Aid for the 40th anniversary, and Ed Sheeran and Fuse ODG are trying to stop the release of the single and the BBC documentary about it.
Fuse ODG, who said no to participating in the 30-year version, is the first to speak out.
10 years ago today, I said NO to Bob Geldof’s Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas project due to the fact it’s a campaign that dehumanises Africans and destroys our pride and identity in the name of ‘charity’. He has decided to release another version, which demonstrates how much he still has not learned from the points I made clear to him on the negative impact of his project on Africa and its diaspora. The white saviour complex is an incredibly dangerous thing which is now playing out on an individual and corporate level.
African problems should be solved by Africans. We welcome anyone genuinely trying to support the continent but it needs to be a spirit of collaboration not patronisation, solidarity not charity. In 2024, there is no way we’d stay quiet and allow other people to continue to tell our story. We Know It’s Christmas.
Ed Sheeran, who did sing on that version, says he did not give permission to be on this updated version.
My approval wasn’t sought on this new Band Aid 40 release and had I had the choice I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals.
A decade on and my understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed, eloquently explained by @fuseodg
This is just my personal stance, I’m hoping it’s a forward looking one.
Love to all x
There have been many complaints about the money raised and given to Africa not being delegated to the people it was meant to be given to.
Another complaint brought up by the Afrobeats singer is that it dehumanizes Africans.
So, now the two men are taking a stand against it being released on November 25th. Will it happen, and will other artists join the fight? We will find out next week.
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