Tochi Uzowulu
Top artists from across Africa and throughout the African Diaspora have joined forces with the UN cultural agency, UNESCO, to save lives and counter misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They are creating public service announcements, songs and music videos as part of an online campaign called #DontGoViral which has already reached more than 90 million people in the past week alone.
“The success of the# DontGoViral campaign underlines the resilience and creativity of women and men on the African Continent to harness the power of cultural diversity to effectively combat the infodemic that is proving to be just as viral as the pandemic itself,” said Audrey Azoulay, the UNESCO Director-General.
“Their contributions highlight the fact that cultural players are a much-needed part of the solution.”
Fighting ‘an invisible enemy’
The song states in part that “We are at war against an invisible enemy/ For once, by keeping our distance we will be invincible/ I know you’ve always dreamed of being Superman/ But stay home, you’ll see it’s super, man”.
Rapper Danny Lee, a member of the seven-person collective, believes their message speaks to millions.
“We hope our voices and that of Fulani Bororo singers, the nomadic people of the Sahel, will reach every cultural and linguistic region of Niger and even beyond our borders; through all of West and C
Playlist goes viral
So far, #DontGoViral has received more than 500 submissions from more than 40 African countries. Millions are following the campaign on Facebook and Twitter. The videos have also received countless plays on YouTube or on radio stations around the world.
Contributing artists include Fally Ipupa, Timi Dakolo, Wale Turner, Stonebwoy, Reekado Banks, Les Freres Smith and Seun Kuti, Didier Awadi, and Youssou N’Dour.
A #DontGoViral playlist is updated regularly. The most recently uploaded content includes a remix of Bobi Wine’s Corona Virus Alert performed by the Ugandan activist together with vocalist Nubian Li.
entral Africa,” he said.
