LONDON – Will.i.am, Ed Sheeran, and Mumford & Sons have joined forces to record new versions of protest songs to bring attention to the issues of global poverty. The 50 artists are collaborating with others to launch Agit8, a one-week music campaign aimed at putting pressure on policy makers to take a stance against extreme poverty in the world. The campaign will broadcast performances and videos at London’s Tate Modern Museum this week.
Agit8 is supported by the One Campaign, which was co-founded by U2’s Bono. The ONE organization has worked with filmmakers and actors to create a half-hour long film that examines how protest and music have paved the way for change.
The Agit8 campaign is taking place simultaneously with the G8 summit in Northern Ireland. The movement calls for G8 leaders to boost African food production and improve transparency in international aid. The movement also hopes that U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron will pressure other countries to increase foreign aid as Britain has done as a long-term interest.
The movement ultimately seeks to agitate and initiate global action against poverty. It compels individuals through music and rallies groups together in support of anti-poverty measures. Ed Sheeran remarked, “Music is a powerful tool in galvanizing people around an issue. There’s no better way to get your point across than to put it in a beautiful song.”
Individuals wanting to get involved can:
- Watch or listen the performances of major artists around the world performing the protest songs. Videos of performances can all be accessed online.
- Access exclusive spotify playlists of the music
- Learn more about the history of protest music and each of the specific songs.
- View photography of the event held in in London. According to the website, the images “reflect the power and spirit of the protest song, captured by both members of the public and professional photographers.”
- Create their own special artwork and share it on Facebook or Twitter.
- Join the ONE campaign to gain access to special features of the event and vote for their favorite song performance.
– Grace Zhao
Source: USA Today, ONE campaign
Photo: One