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'Cocoa na Chocolate': African artists collaborate on song

Photo: www.kenyanvibe.com
Photo: www.kenyanvibe.com

In what has been termed one of the largest Pan-African music collaboration ever on the continent, artists have joined forces in an effort to boost investments in agriculture.

19 artists from Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique, DRC, Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria and Cameroon have collaborated on a song called ‘Cocoa na Chocolate’ in support of a new campaign to boost investments in agriculture: ‘Do Agric, It Pays’.

The participating artists are: A.Y. (Tanzania), Bufallo Souljah (Zimbabwe), Dama Do Bling (Mozambique), D’Banj (Nigeria), Diamond (Tanzania), Dontom (Nigeria), Fally Ipupa (DRC), Femi Kuti (Nigeria), Judith Sephuma (South Africa), Juliani (Kenya), Kunle Ayo (Nigeria), Vusi Nova (South Africa), Liz Ogumbo (Kenya), Nancy G (Swaziland), Omawumi (Nigeria), Rachid Taha (Algeria), Tiken Jah Fakoly (Cote d'Ivoire), Victoria Kimani (Kenya) and Wax Dey (Cameroon).

Through the song, which was launched on March 31, 2014 the musicians hope to educate the youth about agriculture and the future that lies literally beneath their feet and in their hands.

"In Nigeria alone, while 70% of Nigerians depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, the federal agriculture budget has been trending downwards, and is now at just 1.47%. This is a serious concern, especially because Nigeria spends billions of Naira importing food every year, Nigerian music superstar D’banj said.

“These brilliant artists are role models who connect with African youths. Their voices, in support of African agriculture, are sending a powerful message to the young generation: it’s time for African leaders to scale up public investments in agriculture and ensure policy interventions are targeted to benefit smalholder farmers who provide 80% of the food we eat on the continent, Dr. Sipho S. Moyo, ONE.org Africa Executive Director, said.

The song verses were written by each participating artist, and the hook was written by D’Banj, whose company, DKM Media partnered with ONE to undertake the project.

 

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