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The ‘8 GOALS FOR AFRICA’ song is part of an awareness and advocacy campaign developed by the United Nations System in South Africa on the 8 MDGs.
End poverty by 2015 is the historic promise 189 world leaders made at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000 when they signed up to the Millennium Declaration and agreed to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. The MDGs are an eight-point road map with measurable targets and clear deadlines for improving the lives of the world´s poorest people. Ten years later our leaders are meeting again on 20 September in New York to review the progress, it is up to us to make sure world leaders keep their promise.
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Angelique Kidjo: Born and raised in Benin- theauthentic melting-pot of traditional cultures and musical styles- Angélique Kidjo’s music embraces rhythm & blues, soul music, jazz, and Beninese melodies. Growing up in the port city of Cotonou, raised by parents who honored many forms of creativity, she was exposed to a far-ranging array of music and dance. Today, Grammy Award winning singer, dancer and songwriter Kidjo is a definitive 21stcentury world artist. Her art roves across boundaries, genres and ethnicities, finding the connections that link musical forms from every part of the world, while still bonding closely with her own traditions.
To date Kidgo has released 10 albums with ‘Oyo’ being her latest. She first graced the music scene with her breath taking vocals on her first album ‘Parakou’ which is named after a town in central Benin.
Over the past decade, she has used her visibility to support a far-reaching collection of advocacy groups, from UNICEF (for whom she is a Goodwill Ambassador) to her own Batonga Foundation (providing educational aid to young African girls). In September, 2009, she joined forces with UNICEF in a campaign to eliminate tetanus. A portion of proceeds for downloads of the song, “You Can Count On Me,” will provide tetanus vaccines to pregnant women and mothers.
Athur Baker: Born in Boston Massachusetts, USA,Arthur Baker is among the most visible and widely-imitated of the early hip-hop producers, masterminding breakthrough experiments with tape edits and synthetic beats before crossing over to introduce the art of remixing into the pop mainstream. Hip-hop inspired, Baker went on to become an internationally renowned producer, working with legends such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, and performing important remixing work for artists including New Order (most notably the club hit "Confusion").
Baaba Maal: Born in the City of Podor, Senegal Baaba Maal sings primarily in Pulaar, the indigenous language of people living in the ancient Senegalese kingdom of Futa Tooro. Together with his group Daande Lenol – ‘The Voice of the Race’, he produced the hugely popular album ‘Wango’ which melodically embroidered highly distinctive African sounds, pop and reggae.
Eric Wainaina: Born in Nairobi, Kenya. Defined by his socially conscious messages, Wainaina’s notable releases include 'Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo' (‘Country of Bribes’) and 'Kenya Only' which became Kenya’s unofficial song of mourning after a terrorist attack in 1998. Waunaina has begun producing theatrical musicals that use Kenyan folk law as their base.
Jabulani Tsambo: Famously known as Hip Hop Pantsula or HHP, hails from Mafikeng in the NorthWest province. HHP, South Africa’s most popular hip-hop talent, is defined by his versatile use of indigenous South African languages, a term referred to as ‘Motswako.’ HHP believes that artists have the power to change people, communities and the world, a view that he manifests through his pull-no-punches lyrics that speak directly to a broad spectrum of South Africans, young and old.
Hugh Masekela: Born in 1939, Hugh Ramapolo Masekela is an acknowledged master of African jazz. Raised during the height of Apartheid racial tension and hatred, music provided a much needed gateway to a world of beauty. Masekela was part of the cultural insurrection that Sophiatown and the Drum Era spawned in the 1950’s. Hugh Masekela is famously known as a South African trumpeter, singer and composer. He has released more than 25 albums to date. His albums include ‘The emancipation of Hugh Masekela’ Waiting for the Rain, Tomorrow, The Lasting Impressions of Ooga Booga, Sixty and Phola which he released in 2009.
Jimmy Dludlu: Profoundly influential guitarist, Jimmy Dludlu became a major catalyst in the formation of the South African music genre Afro-Jazz. Dludlu graduated from the Jazz Programme at University of Cape Town's College of Music in 1994 and his debut album ‘Echoes from the Past’ was released in September 1997. His other albums ‘Essence of Rhythm’, ‘Portrait’, ’Afrocentric’, ‘Corners of my Soul’ and ‘Best of Jimmy Dludlu’ showcase his extraordinary talent, his proficiency not only as a guitarist but as an intuitive composer and arranger.
Mingas: Born in Maputo, Mozambique, Mingas’ professional musical career spans three decades. She was a lead singer in the ‘Orchestra Marrabenta Star de Mozambique’ during their tours of Europe in 1987-88. As part of the group Amoya, Mingas was awarded the coveted accolade of ‘Grand Prix Decouvertes 90’ at a Gala show in Guinea Conakry. In the late 1990s, Mingas performed alongside Miriam Makeba as a backing vocalist and solo artist during Mama Africa’s international tour that spanned four continents. Professional highlights in Mingas’ career include performances at the Sidney Opera House in Australia and a performance for Pope John Paul II during his visit to Brazil.
Oliver Mtukudzi: Internationally celebrated, gifted with a deep, gutsy voice and a talent for writing songs that reflect on the daily life and struggles of ordinary Zimbabweans, Oliver ‘tuku’ Mtukudzi has released 40 albums, of which 35 were best sellers. Singing in the nation’s dominant languages of Shona, Ndebele and English, Mtukudzi’s music is a cacophony of pop influences, South African mbaqanga, the vigorous Zimbabwean pop style JIT and the traditional katekwe drumming patterns of his clan. He maintains a flawless track record of releasing a two new albums every year.
Soweto Gospel Choir: The multiple award winning ‘Soweto Gospel Choir’ is the brain child of, Andrew Kay, David Vigo and Clifford Hocking, Beverly Bryer and David Mulovhedzi and was formed in 2002. Their debut album ‘Voices from Heaven’ reached the number 1 spot on Billboard’s World Music Chart, within three weeks of its US release. The 26 member strong group has performed alongside Diana Ross, Deborah Cox and Danny K, also performing as invited guests for an illustrious audience such as former President Nelson Mandela, Samuel L Jackson, Carlos Santana, Oprah Winfrey, Mary J Blige, Tina Turner, Patti Labelle, Sydney Poitier and Quincy Jones.
Yvonne Chaka Chaka: Born in the legendary township of Soweto, Dobsonville during the heart of Apartheid. At the age of 19 Chaka Chaka released the single “I’m in love with a DJ” that rocketed to success selling 35 000 copies. Releasing hit after hit, Chaka Chaka's subsequent award winning albums include "Burning Up", "Sangoma", "Who’s The Boss", "Motherland", " Be Proud to be African", "Thank You Mr DJ", "Back on my Feet", "Rhythm of Life", "Who's got the Power", "Bombani ( Tiko Rahini), "Power of Afrika", "Yvonne and Friends" and "Kwenzenjani".
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8 Goals For Africa — Mp3
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Eight African artists (one for each MDG) from across the continent recorded the ‘8 GOALS FOR AFRICA’ song. The song was produced by world-renowned music producer, Arthur Baker. The music for the song is composed by Jimmy Dludlu (South Africa), and the lyrics have been written by Eric Wainaina (Kenya). The participating artists were: Yvonne Chaka Chaka (South Africa), Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Oliver Mutukudzi (Zimbabwe), Mingas (Mozambique), Eric Wainaina (Kenya), HHP (South Africa), Baba Maal (Senegal), and the Soweto Gospel Choir (South Africa). Hugh Masekela (South Africa) and Jimmy Dludlu (South Africa) are 2 of the instrumentalists.
Some of the above artists are already involved in global and regional anti-poverty campaigns (Global Stand Up Against Poverty, African Stand Up Against Poverty and Free the Hungry Billion programmes) and some are already UN goodwill ambassadors.
Accompanied by a music video, ‘8 GOALS FOR AFRICA’ is being disseminated free of charge locally and internationally, before, during and after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The performing artists will also make special appearances during the soccer tournament, promoting the MDGs and calling for action from relevant parties.
The ‘8 GOALS FOR AFRICA’ music video will be screened throughout the World Cup, across all the Fan Parks and Public Viewing areas. On the day of the finals, all 8 artists will come together to sing the song in a live performance at the Soccer City Fan Fest in Johannesburg. The video will also be distributed globally to other partners such as television channels, multimedia partners among others.
8 Goals For Africa lyrics
Music by Jimmy Dludlu
Lyrics by Eric Wainaina
GO HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION + ACTION STEPS YOU CAN TAKE
