Sheryl Crow, Norah Jones, Damien Rice, Angélique Kidjo and Mos Def feature on a new 18-track compilation album that aims to raise hope, educate and empower individuals to be a part of the solution to the Congolese conflict.
In the Congo, rape has been used as a weapon of war to perpetrate the deadliest conflict since World War II. For many, the situation in Congo is too bleak, or too distant, to approach. The ENOUGH Project and Mercer Street Records (a signature label of Downtown Music) are seeking to change that attitude with the compilation album “Raise Hope for Congo.”
The idea for the compilation CD was conceived by Shahin Shahida — Unison Agency consultant and the executive producer of the album — after reading Not on Our Watch, a book by John Prendergast, co-founder of the ENOUGH Project, and Don Cheadle, co-founder of the Not On Our Watch organization. Shahida saw the critical need for a compilation to help open the world’s eyes to the crisis.
“This campaign is a perfect testament to the power of grassroots efforts, particularly when artists and activists unite,” said Shahin Shahida.
The tracklist is as follows:
- Lonely Soldier – Damien Rice
- Not Immune – Imaad Wasif
- Angel Mom – Jesca Hoop
- 40 – Meshell Ndegeocello
- Je t’aime – Staff Benda Bilili
- Leila – Angelique Kidjo
- Na Miso – Chantal Kreviazuk
- World of Trouble – Norah Jones
- My Name is Mwamaroyi – Sheryl Crow
- Don’t Let Me – Amel Larrieux
- Raise Hope – Omékongo Dibinga & Shahin Shahida
- Never Again – Ozomatli & The Agahoza Shalom Youth Village
- Sleep Alone – Bat For Lashes
- Before You Were Young (Live at Joe’s Pub) – Travis
- Hora Zero (Live at Wecheter) – Rodrigo y Gabriela
- Tambara – Amadou & Mariam
- Nsimba & Nzuzi – Konono No 1
- Priority (A Cappella) – Mos Def
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, or to get your free Mos Def download.
All profits from the album will help fund critical research and efforts to raise awareness to end the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
