[caption id="attachment_454" align="alignnone" width="637" caption="Credit: emmanueljal.com"]
[/caption]We want to introduce you to the life and music of Emmanuel Jal. For those of you that don't know about him, read on... it's a doozy. For those of you that do know, you know what to expect.
From war child to hip hop star, Emmanuel Jal has come a long way. At the age of seven, he was ushered into the Sudanese rebel army. No child should witness or be part of the atrocities that plagued Emmanuel's youthful existence. Five years later, Jal, along with 400 other soldiers, finally escaped. Of these 400, only 16 survived the flight, one of which was Jal.
Jal found his was to a refugee camp, eating snails and vultures to stay alive. At this refugee camp he was adopted by aid worker Emma McCune who later sent him to England.
Jal found solace in music, and his moving lyrics and stories shed light on the problems facing the children and people of war torn Africa. His music can be heard alongside Coldplay, Gorillaz, and Radiohead on the fundraising ‘Warchild – Help a Day in the Life’ album.
In addition to his music, Jal founded a charity called
Gua Africa that works with individual, families and communities to help them overcome the effects of war and poverty through Education. Recently he spoke at the TED conference. His talk was moving and absolutely inspiring.
Take a listen and a look.
Emmanuel Jal, a voice for change, with a beat you can dance too.
