Something about this video

There’s something about this video, perhaps it’s because I’ve been in this kind of mental state (without being on drugs) – I don’t know it just has that draw to it. But I love this video and lyrically this is a reminder of just how good I know Jay-Z can be and, as always Pharrell gives it that added twist.

Former child soldier raps with substance

I went to see former child soldier Emmanuel Jal last night at the Vibe Bar on Brick Lane. Absolutely amazing!

The Sudanese rapper was passionate, got the crowd moving to his steps, was energetic and more importantly his lyrics were lyrics of substance. His tales and campaigns for justice in Africa and the atrocities he and others faced were felt through his performance.

There is definitely something very mystical about Emmanuel and you have this compelling urge to listen to every single word he utters.

It’s amazing to think that 19 years ago, at the age of eight, he was recruited to a military camp by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) to fight in Ethiopia.

Can you imagine spending several years as a child soldier? And all of that time the SPLA camp in Ethiopia fooled international aid agencies and United Nations representatives into believing that the camp was an actual school!?

To flee from that, to see other children his age at the time die and then to be rescued by an aid worker, is every reason to be grateful for how lucky some of our lives are.

He continues to spread his words of activism through his music and is one of the founders of Gua Africa, an organisation encouraging the development of local communities in Africa (Gua meaning peace in Sudanese, which was also the title of his debut album) .

www.guaafricaonline.com
www.emmanueljalonline.net