Premiere: Emmanuel Jal Has One Demand on ‘We Want Peace – Reloaded’
Few have seen reality’s harsher side like South Sudanese musician Emmanuel Jal. A former child soldier, Jal is now an activist, using his art to take social and political action. With his triumphant new video for “We Want Peace – Reloaded,” Jal gets assists from former President Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan, Ringo Starr, George Clooney, Alicia Keys, Peter Gabriel, Dispatch, O.A.R., D.M.C., Das Racist and more. But despite the smiles all around, the song’s message is serious.
“The inspiration for ‘We Want Peace’ comes from my history and the issues that are happening all the time. A guy called Clinton Outten, ‘Roachie’ – my cowriter and producer – helped put the whole song together,” Jal tells Rolling Stone. “This song was used to put a spotlight in Sudan and South Sudan to protect civilians.”
Jal’s upcoming album, See Me Mama Out, is due September 25th.