Inspired by the book Not On Our Watch by Enough Co-founder John Prendergast and actor Don Cheadle, longtime world musician and executive principal of Unison Agency Shahin Shahida conceptualized creating a CD featuring exclusive new tracks by stars of today’s music world. The music would be tied to the theme of protecting and empowering the women and girls who bear the brunt of the violence in war torn eastern Congo. It would reach new audiences unaware of the world’s deadliest conflict in Congo, and it would energize the movement working to break the link between the violence and the trade in Congo’s conflict minerals.
Teaming up with the Enough Project and Zeid Masri, an investor in Downtown Music, Shahida enlisted the expertise of music curator and radio personality Nic Harcourt. Enough and Mercer Street Records (part of Downtown Music) produced the 18-track album titled RAISE Hope for Congo.
The compilation, released digitally today, features a wide variety of sounds, beats, and inspiring lyrics by musicians from around the world – from Norah Jones, Mos Def, Damien Rice, Angelique Kidjo, Bat For Lashes, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Amadou & Mariam, Staff Benda Bilili, and Omekongo Dibinga.
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The album is available for download today on iTunes and will be released in stores on June 22. Visit raisehopeforcongomusic.org to download the full album.
Proceeds from sales of the compilation will benefit the field research and advocacy work of Enough’s RAISE Hope for Congo campaign. Please help us spread the word by sharing this link: http://bit.ly/ae7INT, where people can learn more about the RAISE Hope for Congo campaign and download a free track by Mos Def.
The compilation includes:
1. Lonely Soldier – Damien Rice
2. Not Immune – Imaad Wasif
3. Angel Mom – Jesca Hoop
4. 40 – Meshell Ndegeocello
5. Je t’aime – Staff Benda Bilili
6. Leila – Angelique Kidjo
7. Na Miso – Chantal Kreviazuk
8. World of Trouble – Norah Jones
9. My Name is Mwamaroyi – Sheryl Crow
10. Don’t Let Me – Amel Larrieux
11. Raise Hope – Omékongo Dibinga & Shahin Shahida
12. Never Again – Ozomatli & The Agahoza Shalom Youth Village
13. Sleep Alone – Bat For Lashes
14. Before You Were Young (Live at Joe’s Pub) – Travis
15. Hora Zero (Live at Wecheter) – Rodrigo y Gabriela
16. Tambara – Amadou & Mariam
17. Nsimba & Nzuzi – Konono No 1
18. Priority (A Cappella) – Mos Def