The artists paid back Bono's humanitarian efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa.
- Dec 10, 2007
AceShowbiz - In honor of Bono's charity work in Africa, a number of musicians from the country decided to record an album containing covers of U2 hits.
Among the singers that join forces for 'In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2' are Beninese singer, Angelique Kidjo, Grammy-winning ensemble Soweto Gospel Choir, Hip-Hop group African Underground All-Stars and band Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars who is assisted by Aerosmith's Joe Perry on the song 'Seconds'.
"A lot of the familiar hooks are there but played in cadences and with instruments that are indigenous to African people," producer Shawn Amos said. "It's a testament to how global U2 is, that you can instantly recognize a song when it has been deconstructed, translated and played with different instrumentation."
Proceeds from the album sale will go to Global Fund charity which will channel the money to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. No release date of the compilation has been unveiled yet.
Bono is renowned for his humanitarian efforts among which is the establishment of 'DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa)' in 2002. The organization's main mission is to suppress the number of HIV/AIDS infected people in Africa. He recently teamed with artist Damien Hirst to back up a $40 million auction to raise money for Africa.
His band U2, meanwhile, is working on a new album which is more experimental and will be released next year.
