Fuse ODG Criticizes Band Aid Single for its Limiting View of Africa as Always in Need of Aid
The British Ghanaian artist, Fuse ODG, raises valid points about how prevailing negative stereotypes of Africa are costing the continent.
Fuse ODG performs at Indigo at the O2 on November 26, 2015 in London, England.
In the West, Africa is often synonymous with aid and charitable causes, stemming from the perpetual perception that the continent is a multilayered pile of ailments and disasters. This perception has advanced a one-dimensional outlook that should be outdated by now.
British producer Trevor Horn has created an "Ultimate Mix" of the popular Band Aid song, "Do They Know It's Christmas?"Initially released in 1984, the single was recorded to raise funds for those suffering from famine caused by a devastatingcivil war. It featured several high-profile musicians at the time, including U2's Bono, Boy George, Sting and others. Although it was well-meaning, it faced criticism for portraying Africa as a war-torn continent in need of saving by white people.British Ghanaian artist Fuse ODG has come out tostrongly disapprove of the upcoming release of Horn's ultimate mix, which splices together the parts of three song versions, including versions released in2004 and2014. Fuse shared a video to his social media pages lambasting the mix's release, an upcoming BBC documentary about Band-Aid, and other similar aid endeavors for many reasons, including "destroying [the] collective dignity" of Africans.
It's a reiteration of his stance from a decade ago after he declined to be a part of the 2014 recording due to severe qualms with the lyrics and other concerns. "My objection to the project goes beyond the offensive lyrics. Like many others, I am sick of the whole concept of Africa – a resource-rich continent with unbridled potential – always being seen as diseased, infested and poverty-stricken," hewrote in The Guardian.
There are genuinely abhorrent lyrics across the three versions of "Do They Know It's Christmas?". Lines like "Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears" and "Where nothing ever grows / No rain, no rivers flow" are sung in the original and 2004 versions, and the more recent version includes the line, "Where a kiss of love can kill you, and there's death in every tear."The 2014 version was released to raise money to support the outbreak of the Ebola virus, and the opening part of the song's video was a truly horrific showing of an African woman who seemed to have just died from the virus. It's the kind of shock tactic that lacks consideration of dignity. While it may raise some money (Band Aid has raised over $150 million since the song's original release), it lacks any consideration of dignity and ultimately doesn't help Africa grow.
In another counter to Band Aid, Fuse recently released “We Know It’s Christmas,” celebrating how parts of Africa have become major holidaying spots during the festive period. On the new single, Fuse references the Detty December season between Ghana and Nigeria with its endless run of parties and live shows, asserting that Africans know when it’s Christmas. "Band Aid and initiatives like it over the past 40 years [have] cost the African continent trillions in lost revenue, from stifling economic growth, investment [and] tourism," Fuse says in his video on social media.
A new report by Africa No Filter states that Africa is losing $4.2 billion due to stereotypical narratives that push overly negative perceptions of the continent. Several findings of the report conclude that negative media coverage increases a country's perceived risk, leading to higher borrowing costs. Investors unjustifiably view African nations as riskier, resulting in higher credit costs than similar non-African countries. "African countries consistently face higher bond yields, with Egypt having an average bond yield of 15 percent, compared to Thailand's 2.5 percent," the report states.
Africa No Filter has started a petition to stop BBC from releasing its upcoming documentary, stating that Band Aid is “a project that has historically dehumanized Africans and undermined their pride and identity under the guise of ‘charity.’”
Focusing on aid rather than trust-based, low-interest investment in Africa is causing more harm than good. While serious humanitarian issues across the continent require charity – just as many parts of the world – this shouldn't be the only narrative regarding Africa, especially now. Africans on the continent and in the diaspora excel in every field, from science and technology to music and film.
"African problems should be solved by Africans. We welcome anyone genuinely trying to support the continent. Still, it needs to be a spirit of collaboration, not patronization, solidarity, not charity," Fuse wrote in the caption of his Instagram post, also stating in the video 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."
There needs to be a reorientation of how the West views Africa primarily as a case for handouts and less as a continent that can be interacted with for itseconomic potential. Perhaps the vehement rejection of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" will be a critical inflection point in kickstarting that wholesome change.- You Need This Mixtape Of Ebo Taylor's Afrobeat & Highlife In Your Life ›
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