Abazar, a Sudanese singer I met in Darfur earlier this month, faces the sort of challenges few British musicians have to deal with. His political lyrics are vetted, and often banned, by Sudan's music monitoring committee while radio stations are willing to play only his love songs. He employs his lawyer more often than his backing band.
His latest challenge is to persuade Darfur's janjaweed singers to sing for peace, not war. He wants to take them on tour across Darfur, singing songs like "Salaam Darfur" - peace for Darfur.
But there is a problem: money, or lack thereof. As one of his new singers told me: "If it is a war, someone can find money. If it is peace, there is nothing."
Abazar worries the janjaweed singers, known as hakamas, will go back to what they know best if he can't find the money to pay them. Bono, Geldof, and the boys from Green Day, over to you...
Ithink it is gratest wark for aman he has nothing but his deep and strongly bleave in peace, iknow Abazer very well, he bleave in his people and their writes to live in apeace, if ihave money iwill bay now, becouse alot of people pay for ware, and ithink it is hi time to pay and sport peace and those who were warkink for it.
Posted by: mohamed gulamabi | Sunday, 22 June 2008 at 10:15 AM
Aba Zer is more than just a singer, he is an itellectual artist who is very much using his great gift of songs writing and singing in a sense that matters. He has a deep appreciation for the human ability to creat positive change around. He is a treasure that needs to be cherished and nartured for a bright future of peace and justice. Aba Zer is the upcoming African Bob Marley that we have been waiting for. If you are intrested in making a difference in the lives of the poor, you have a powerful engine who is already ignited, and ready to take-off.
Omayma Gutbi
Director
Delta Africa Consultancies
Posted by: Omayma Gutbi | Sunday, 22 June 2008 at 05:55 PM
Abazar is representing growing efforts by the artists and intellectuals in Sudan, to regain their natural role in the society that has been hijacked by the polititions. The politicions in Sudan, since independance, and even before, have proved themselves impotent and distructive. They represent the problem of this great country (Sudan). Problems of their own make. They (the politicions) need to realize they do not represent the solution for Sudan problems any more. It is only artists like Abazar who will make them realise it and make peace prospects clear and possible for the poor masses, though difficult.
Mohammed Taha Algaddal
Poet
Posted by: Mohammed Taha Algaddal | Sunday, 22 June 2008 at 10:06 PM
Aba zer is agreat sudanese singer,he allways writes in his songs about abright future for sudanese people in positive way.now it's the time for the artists to take there chance
Posted by: Omar Ihsas | Sunday, 22 June 2008 at 10:42 PM
realy he is one of real people so he is also real singer.. he is not only love his people but he look to peace and justice for all people over the world
Posted by: mohamed ahmed gulamabi | Thursday, 23 July 2009 at 08:23 AM