UK-based Ghanaian musician Fuse ODG has strongly criticised "Do They Know It's Christmas?", a controversial song by Bob Geldolf’s ‘Band Aid’.
He has also criticised the recent release of its 2014 remix, which dropped as part of the band's 40th-anniversary celebrations.
With the first version released in 1984 to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief, the song's 2014 remake was re-released on Monday, November 25, 2024.
However, Fuse ODG, who has long criticised the song, has revived his concerns about its portrayal of Africa.
He believes the song perpetuates damaging stereotypes that hinder Africa's economic growth, tourism, and investment while degrading the continent's dignity, pride, and identity.
In a recent Instagram story, Fuse shared his long-held belief that the song dehumanises Africans and fuels a sense of pity rather than partnership. He wrote:
"Ten years ago, I refused to participate in Band-Aid’s song because I recognized the harm it inflicted on Africa. While they may generate sympathy donations, they perpetuate stifling stereotypes that hinder Africa’s economic growth, tourism, and investment, ultimately destroying the continent’s dignity and identity. The dehumanizing imagery fuels pity rather than encouraging meaningful partnership," he stated.
In an excerpt from a subsequent interview with BBC, shared on Instagram on November 25, 2024, Fuse further elaborated on his concerns, particularly about the lyrics and imagery associated with the song.
“What concerns me about the song is both the lyrics and the images. There’s a lyric that says, 'Tonight, thank God it’s them instead of you.' Even that line alone is problematic,” Fuse explained.
He emphasised that the song presents Africa as a continent plagued by violence, poverty, and hunger an image he feels does not reflect the true diversity and potential of the continent.
The 2014 remix and Fuse ODG's refusal to participate
In 2014, Band-Aid released a remix of the original song, featuring artistes like Ed Sheeran and Fuse ODG.
While Ed Sheeran participated, Fuse ODG declined the offer, citing concerns over the song's negative portrayal of Africa.
"It goes deeper than just the Band-Aid song. I wondered, why is Bob Geldof still doing this 40 years later? It doesn't make sense. When I was first approached, I was excited. As a creative, when Bob Geldof calls, you think, 'Wow, I’m going to be on a lineup with artists like Ed Sheeran and One Direction.' But I’ve always been an artist with a purpose, and it hit me that the imagery the Band-Aid song portrayed didn’t align with our mission to show Africa in a positive light," he stated.
Fuse said he expressed his concerns to Bob Geldof about the potential long-term harm of the song’s portrayal of Africa. However, Geldof refused to make any changes, argueing that he had been using this approach for 30 years and had no intention of changing it.
"I tried to explain to him that while the song might raise funds in the short term, it could have lasting negative effects. People wouldn’t want to visit Africa, and it would destroy our collective dignity and pride," Fuse added.
Consequently, Fuse is not the only artiste to have expressed regret over his involvement with the song.
Ed Sheeran, who featured on the 2014 remix, has since apologised for his contribution to the track. In a recent development, he said he regrets lending his voice to the 2024 version of "Do They Know It’s Christmas?"
About the song and Band-Aid
The original "Do They Know It's Christmas?" was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 as part of the Band-Aid project, a charity supergroup formed to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia.
The single raised over $10 million for the cause, with many major artistes from the UK and Ireland contributing their talents.
Band-Aid, the charity supergroup, was formed by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984 to address the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia.
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