As a child soldier of 8 years old in Sudan’s brutal civil war, Emmanuel was taught to kill. Thanks to a British Aid worker he was rescued and is now an internationally acclaimed musician.
Straightup is very proud to announce the 2011 National Tour of world renowned hip-hop artist, peace activist and novelist Emmanuel Jal. A man whose music and work has been lauded by Nelson Mandela and Peter Gabriel alike, formed soundtracks to Hollywood films and speaks out against war and violence.
In the war-torn region of Southern Sudan, Emmanuel Jal was born into the life of a child solider on an unknown date in the early 1980s. Through unbelievable struggles, Emmanuel managed to survive and emerge as a recording artist, achieving worldwide acclaim for his unique style of hip hop, “Gospel Rap”, with its message of peace and reconciliation born out of his personal experiences. His latest single, We Want Peace feat. Alicia Keys, from his upcoming album, See Me Mama is heavily influenced by this background.
Emmanuel has released three studio albums: Gua, Ceasefire and Warchild. His music can also be heard alongside Coldplay, Gorillaz, and Radiohead on the fundraising Warchild – Help a Day in the Life album,. His live appearances have included WOMAD UK, Live 8 and Nelson Mandela's 90th Birthday Concert. He has performed with acts such as Faithless, Razorlight, Supergrass and Fat Boy Slim in Europe as well as with Moby and Five for Fighting in the 2007 live concert film, The Concert To End Slavery and, more recently, with Alicia Keys at her Black Ball in New York.
His music is featured on John Lennon’s Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur, amongst the likes of U2, REM and Lenny Kravitz, can also be heard alongside Coldplay, Gorillaz, and Radiohead on the fundraising Warchild – Help a Day in the Life album as well as the feature film “Blood Diamond” featuring Leonardo DiCaprio.
In 2008 a full-length documentary on his life was released. The film, Warchild, won 12 prestigious film festival awards worldwide. In the same year, his autobiography, also called Warchild, was published by Little Brown.
When: October 21st 8pm
Where: The Corner Hotel, 57 Swan St. Richmond
With: DJ Silvastone (UK), DJ Dexter, DJ Mr Fish (Reunion Is) and guests
Tix: www.cornerhotel.com.au
emmanueljal.com | we-want-peace.com| gua-africa.org | warchildmovie.com
