Ed Sheeran Expresses Regret Over Inclusion in New Band Aid Track

Ed Sheeran has stated that Band Aid did not seek his authorization to incorporate his vocal performance into a forthcoming 40th-anniversary rendition of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”. The artist conveyed on Instagram that he would have “respectfully” turned down the proposition, referencing a statement by British-Ghanaian rapper Fuse ODG which critiqued foreign assistance directed at Africa. Sheeran previously contributed vocals alongside Coldplay, Sinead O’Connor, Sam Smith, One Direction, and Rita Ora for Band Aid 30 in 2014. An upcoming mix, scheduled for release next week, combines his voice with Sting’s contribution from the initial 1984 recording of the charitable track. Sheeran commented, “My approval wasn’t sought on this new Band Aid 40 release. Had I had the choice I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals.” He further added: “A decade on and my understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed, eloquently explained by @fuseodg. This is just my personal stance, I’m hoping it’s a forward-looking one. Love to all x.” In his own social media post, Fuse ODG revealed that he had declined the invitation to participate in Band Aid 30 with Sheeran a decade prior. He stated, “I refused to participate in Band Aid because I recognised the harm initiatives like it inflict on Africa. While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa’s economic growth, tourism, and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity.” During an interview with BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat, the artist asserted that “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” reinforces the perception that Africa is afflicted by “famine and poverty,” a portrayal he described as “not the truth.” He recounted that upon first viewing the Band Aid videos during his childhood, the imagery was “so negative that I wanted to disassociate myself from being African because there was no sense of pride in it.” The musician, known by his birth name Nana Richard Abiona, further mentioned that he had urged Bob Geldof to take these concerns into account in 2014. He conveyed, “All I said to him was, there’s a way to do things without destroying our collective pride. There’s a way to do things without it costing us in tourism, in investment, you know?” He suggested, “We could make it more like a partnership – solidarity instead of charity.” The BBC has sought a comment from Band Aid regarding the statements made by Sheeran and Fuse ODG. The newest iteration of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was revealed last week. This rendition will merge various recordings of the charitable single from across the years, including contributions from artists like Boy George, Harry Styles, George Michael, Sam Smith, the Sugababes, Bono, Bananarama, Robbie Williams, Thom Yorke, Rita Ora, Dizzee Rascal, and Paul McCartney. This fresh “ultimate mix” is set to debut on British radio stations on the morning of 25 November, marking the 40th anniversary of the song’s initial recording. The charitable single was originally devised as a means to address the famine that severely impacted Ethiopia in 1984. Throughout its history, the lyrics of the song have drawn criticism for their condescending depiction of Africa as an infertile region requiring rescue through Western involvement. Indrajit Samarajiva wrote in 2023 that this “ignorant and colonial attitude” was “more about making white people feel good than helping anyone.” During the weekend, Bob Geldof – who both organized and co-authored “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” alongside Midge Ure – defended the track in response to an article featured in The Conversation. He asserted, “This little pop song has kept hundreds of thousands if not millions of people alive. In fact, just today Band Aid has given hundreds of thousands of pounds to help those running from the mass slaughter in Sudan and enough cash to feed a further 8,000 children in the same affected areas of Ethiopia as 1984. Those exhausted women who weren’t raped and killed and their panicked children and any male over 10 who survived the massacres and those 8,000 Tigrayan children will sleep safer, warmer and cared for tonight because of that miraculous little record. We wish that it were other but it isn’t. ‘Colonial tropes’, my arse.” Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.