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Lily Allen: Band Aid is smug and I’d rather donate actual money Lily Allen: Band Aid is smug and I’d rather donate actual money
(about 1 hour later)
Lily Allen has become the latest artist to criticise the Band Aid single, revealing that she refused to appear on it because she considered it smug and preferred to donate “actual money”. Lily Allen has become the latest artist to criticise the Band Aid single in aid of the Ebola crisis, revealing that she refused to appear on it because she considered it smug and preferred to donate “actual money”.
The charity single, in aid of the Ebola crisis, is poised to top the British charts on Sunday, having become the fastest selling single of the year, but that has not stopped a backlash from people who have accused it of being patronising and perpetuating misconceptions about Africa. The charity single is poised to top the British charts on Sunday, having become the fastest selling single of the year, but that has not stopped a backlash from people who have accused it of being patronising and perpetuating misconceptions about Africa.
Allen’s comments came after one of the performers on the single, Emeli Sandé, said a “a whole new song is required” and apologised for any offence caused by the lyrics. Allen’s comments came after one of the performers on the single, Emeli Sandé, said “a whole new song is required” and apologised for any offence caused by the lyrics.
The outspoken Alllen has previously described Band Aid co-founder Bob Geldof as a “sanctimonious prat” but still received a request to appear on the latest incarnation of the single, released 30 years after the original. The outspoken Allen has previously described Band Aid’s co-founder, Bob Geldof, as a “sanctimonious prat”, but she still received a request to appear on the latest incarnation of the single, released 30 years after the original.
“It’s difficult to give an explanation why I didn’t do it without sounding like a complete cunt,” she told the Mail on Sunday.“It’s difficult to give an explanation why I didn’t do it without sounding like a complete cunt,” she told the Mail on Sunday.
“I prefer to do my charitable bit by donating actual money and not being lumped in with a bunch of people like that.“I prefer to do my charitable bit by donating actual money and not being lumped in with a bunch of people like that.
“It’s like the ‘success club’ and I’m not really in that club. I don’t think I’m above it all – I’m way below it. But there’s something a bit smug about it.”“It’s like the ‘success club’ and I’m not really in that club. I don’t think I’m above it all – I’m way below it. But there’s something a bit smug about it.”
Geldof previously criticised Adele for not appearing on the single, accusing her of snubbing calls about the project. A representative of the Oscar-winning singer denied the claims and said she had chosen to support the cause with a donation.Geldof previously criticised Adele for not appearing on the single, accusing her of snubbing calls about the project. A representative of the Oscar-winning singer denied the claims and said she had chosen to support the cause with a donation.
On Saturday, Sandé – one of the few non-white artists to appear on the track – revealed that she was uncomfortable with the lyrics, although she stressed that it came from “a place of pure and respectful intent”. In a message posted on Twitter and addressed “dear friends”, she said that she had been having discussions on the subject all week and wanted to share her thoughts. “I agree the lyric [sic] needed changing. In fact I feel a whole new song is required. Angélique Kidjo and I made and sang our own edits. Unfortunately, none of these made the final cut … I am so proud of my Zambian heritage. No offence or disrespect to the beautiful and prosperous continent was ever intended … I apologise if the lyrics of the song have caused offence. I wish the changes had been kept but that is out of my control.” On Saturday, Sandé – one of the few non-white artists to appear on the track – revealed that she was uncomfortable with the lyrics, although she stressed that the song came from “a place of pure and respectful intent”. In a message posted on Twitter and addressed “dear friends”, she said that she had been having discussions on the subject all week and wanted to share her thoughts. “I agree the lyric [sic] needed changing. In fact I feel a whole new song is required. Angélique Kidjo and I made and sang our own edits. Unfortunately, none of these made the final cut … I am so proud of my Zambian heritage. No offence or disrespect to the beautiful and prosperous continent was ever intended … I apologise if the lyrics of the song have caused offence. I wish the changes had been kept but that is out of my control.”
As well as the row over Adele’s non-appearance, the latest Band Aid project has been marred by criticism from a number of artists. English afrobeat star Fuse ODG wrote in the Guardian that he had received a phone call from Geldof asking him to take part but had rejected the approach after being “shocked and appalled” by the lyrics. The Ghana-raised musician suggested that people were being put off going to or investing in Africa by the negative portrayal of the continent. “I, like many others, am sick of the whole concept of Africa – a resource-rich continent with unbridled potential – always being seen as diseased, infested and poverty-stricken,” he said. As well as the row over Adele’s non-appearance, the latest Band Aid project has been marred by criticism from a number of artists. English afrobeat star Fuse ODG wrote in the Guardian that he had received a phone call from Geldof asking him to take part but had rejected the approach after being “shocked and appalled” by the lyrics. The musician, who grew up in Ghana, suggested that people were being put off going to or investing in Africa by the negative portrayal of the continent. “I, like many others, am sick of the whole concept of Africa – a resource-rich continent with unbridled potential – always being seen as diseased, infested and poverty-stricken,” he said.
Blur frontman Damon Albarn, who has recorded and perfomed with a number of African artists, also criticised the song. “Having been to many countries and gotten to know many people, it always seems that we have only one view of it,” he told Channel 4 News. “There are problems with our idea of charity, especially these things that suddenly balloon out of nothing and then create a media frenzy where some of that essential communication is lost and it starts to feel like it’s a process where, if you give money, you solve the problem, and really sometimes giving money creates another problem.” He suggested that the artists appearing on the single could benefit by visiting Africa themselves. Blur frontman Damon Albarn, who has recorded and performed with a number of African artists, also criticised the song. “Having been to many countries and gotten to know many people, it always seems that we have only one view of it,” he told Channel 4 News. “There are problems with our idea of charity, especially these things that suddenly balloon out of nothing and then create a media frenzy where some of that essential communication is lost and it starts to feel like it’s a process where, if you give money, you solve the problem, and really sometimes giving money creates another problem.”
Geldof has rejected criticism of Band Aid and its participants out of hand, telling Sky News the dissenting voices were talking “talking bollocks”. He suggested that the artists appearing on the single could benefit by visiting Africa themselves.
Geldof has rejected criticism of Band Aid and its participants out of hand, telling Sky News the dissenting voices were “talking bollocks”.