Fundraising campaign: “Do They Know It’s Christmas”: Criticism of Band Aid reissue

British pop superstar Ed Sheeran would rather not be part of the reissue of the Band Aid Christmas song “Do They Know It’s Christmas” to mark the Africa aid project’s 40th anniversary. No one asked for his consent, Sheeran wrote on Instagram. Had he had the choice, he would have “respectfully declined” the use of his vote, he added.

The project was launched in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, among others, to raise money for starving people in Ethiopia. Music legends such as Paul McCartney, Phil Collins and David Bowie took part. Sheeran attended a 30th anniversary reboot ten years ago.

Criticism: Harmful stereotypes about Africa are being cemented

But his attitude towards it has now changed, wrote Sheeran and referred to a statement by his musician colleague Fuse ODG, who has Ghanaian roots. There had already been allegations of “white saviorism” in the British media.

Fuse ODG argues that initiatives like Band Aid generate compassion and also lead to money being donated. Most importantly, they cemented harmful stereotypes about Africa that stifled economic growth, investment and tourism on the continent. The lion’s share of the money that flows to Africa comes from diaspora Africans, not from donations and not from development aid.

The recording for the 40th anniversary of the aid project is a compilation of the last three recordings from 1984, 2004 and 2014, which are to be sold on vinyl, as a CD and as a stream. According to British media reports, at least five British pounds (around six euros) from every vinyl record sold, 1.50 pounds from every CD and 0.50 pence from every stream will be donated to African aid.