Ed Sheeran features on the new version of “ Do They Know It’s Christmas? » without having given his consent.
Ten years ago, Ed Sheeran joined Band Aid to cover the charity song “ Do They Know It’s Christmas? “. The 2014 version of the song (which was created in 1989 and updated in 2004) also featured One Direction and Sam Smith, among others. Last week, these same names popped up when Band Aid announced the 2024 version. But now, Sheeran claims he was never contacted for permission to use his voice on the recording…and that if he had been, he would have refused.
« My consent was not requested for this new version of Band Aid 40. If I had the choice, I would have respectfully refused the use of my voices “, wrote the musician on an Instagram Story.
Led by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, 2014's Band Aid 30 was updated to reference the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Proceeds from the song were donated to the fight against the virus, but the recording was criticized as ” awkward and condescending “, according to the Guardian. Sheeran came to see the song in a different light: “ A decade later, my understanding of the story associated with this song has changed… »
Ed Sheeran referenced a lengthy Instagram post from Fuse ODG criticizing the Band Aid initiative, calling it bad for Africa. The Ghanaian-English musician, who revealed he declined the offer to take part in the 2014 recording, wrote: “ While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate harmful stereotypes that stifle economic growth, tourism and investment in Africa, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity . By presenting dehumanizing images, these initiatives fuel pity rather than partnership, thereby discouraging meaningful engagement. My mission has been to speak out again, to empower Africans to tell their own stories, to redefine their identity and to make Africa a thriving center for investment and tourism. Today, it is the diaspora that re-injects the largest funds into the continent, not Band Aid or foreign aid, proving that Africa's solutions and progress are in its hands. »
Despite these criticisms, Bob Geldof continued to defend the song: “ This little pop song helped keep hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people alive “, he declared to The Conversation in an article published this weekend. “ In fact, just today Band Aid donated hundreds of thousands of pounds to help those fleeing the massacre in Sudan and enough money to feed 8,000 more children in the same parts of Ethiopia as in 1984. »
To critics of the song's lyrics, he added: ” This is not about “colonial tropes”, but about empirical facts… The same argument has been made many times over the years and elicited the same response. »
The latest version of “ Do They Know It’s Christmas? » uses vocals from the previous three versions. This is the “ Ultimate Mix ”, featuring vocals from Bono, Sting, Boy George, George Michael, Sugababes, Chris Martin, Robbie Williams and the 2014 team of Sheeran, Smith and Harry Styles. Other artists, including Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Thom Yorke, Paul Weller and Damon Albarn, appear on the track as instrumentalists.
Several of these artists appear in the trailer for the official Band Aid 40 music video for “ Do They Know It’s Christmas? “. The single is scheduled to be released on November 25. It will be accompanied by the music video directed by Oliver Murray, who recently created a short documentary on “ Now and Then » des Beatles.
Larisha Paul
Translated by the editorial staff
