November 17th 2024.
Ed Sheeran recently made a statement regarding the new Band Aid release and his involvement in it. According to him, his permission to use his vocals in the 40th-anniversary mix of Band Aid's iconic song, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was not sought by the organisers. The 33-year-old singer from Suffolk revealed that he would have respectfully declined to be part of the new version of the charity song if given the choice. He even referenced a previous post where he criticised foreign aid in Africa as a reason for his decision.
It's worth noting that Ed had previously appeared in Band Aid 30, alongside other popular artists such as One Direction, Sam Smith, and Chris Martin from Coldplay. In an Instagram Story, the "Shape of You" hitmaker explained, "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." He also mentioned that his understanding of the narrative associated with the song has changed, and he shared a post by Ghanaian-English singer and rapper Fuse ODG, who worked with him on the track "Boa Me."
In his post, Fuse ODG revealed that he had "refused" to be part of the 30th Band Aid song a decade ago. He believes that while the charity helps raise sympathy and donations, it also perpetuates damaging stereotypes about Africa that hinder its economic growth, tourism, and investment. He stated, "By showcasing dehumanising imagery, these initiatives fuel pity rather than partnership, discouraging meaningful engagement." His mission is to reclaim the narrative and empower Africans to tell their own stories, redefine their identity, and showcase Africa as a thriving hub for investment and tourism. He also pointed out that the diaspora drives the largest flow of funds back into the continent, not Band Aid or foreign aid, proving that Africa's solutions and progress lie in its own hands.
Ed himself has collaborated with African artists, including Nigerian singers Fireboy DML and Burna Boy. As for the new Band Aid compilation, it features voices from three previous editions of the song, Band Aid, Band Aid 20, and Band Aid 30, including Harry Styles, George Michael, and Bono from U2. The compilation is backed by a house band consisting of legendary musicians such as Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Phil Collins, and Thom Yorke.
A minimum of £5 will be donated to the Band Aid Trust for every vinyl sold, £1.50 for every CD sold, and 50p for every digital download. The original Band Aid single, released in 1984, featured artists such as Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, with the aim of raising funds for charities working with starving children in Ethiopia. It debuted at number one in the UK and remained on top for five weeks, selling over a million copies in its first week alone. The song raised £8million in a year, far exceeding the initial target of £70,000.
While the 1984 and 2004 versions raised funds for famine relief, the 2014 release aimed to raise money for the Ebola crisis in West Africa. The lyrics were changed to reflect this, with lines like "And there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas time" replaced with "Bring peace and joy this Christmas to West Africa." It's clear that the Band Aid song has had a significant impact over the years, and it continues to raise awareness and funds for important causes.
In other news, Stacey Solomon is currently enjoying a holiday in Las Vegas after reportedly having a "row" with her partner Joe Swash. And it seems that Strictly Come Dancing fans can look forward to seeing Giovanni Pernice return to the show, despite the recent controversy involving his ex-girlfriend Amanda Abbington. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, you can get in touch with the entertainment team at The Agency by emailing, calling, or visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you.
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