OH AFRICA - Alisha Popat (feat. Peter Hollens, Zolani Mahola)

This song is a tribute to a new Africa. The continent that I call home is a very different one to the one you may imagine. Her people are brave and resilient, we have grown to shed naivety and innocence, only to adopt ambition and hope for a brighter future.

This is a message the world should take note of and one, that as Africans, we must remind ourselves of. This song is intended only as the beginnings of a movement for us to take this narrative to the world. I implore you to read, learn, and share the treasure chest that is the on goings of our beloved continent.

Kudos goes to Justin Purefoy & Ash Jenkins for directing and producing the video and Ash Jenkins for this unreal edit. I would also like to thank Wanyoike Kimani @SQRDOWNSTUDIOS and Ulopa Ngoma for their production of the song. A special thanks to Tahir Popat for facilitating the project with input from Dennis Muganwa

Thank you Moipe Quartet, Teto Tutuma and Aaron Colverson for the backing vocals and instrumentation.

And last but certainly not least, a huge thank you to Leonard Cohen, artist of the original musical composition.

Alisha Popat:

JUSTN PUREFOY
DIRECTOR/DOP

Africa Rise Up Tv:
Music Producer & C.E.O -- Ash Jivu
twitter handle: AfricaRiseUpTV

[AlishaPopat]

Peter Hollens is incredible! was a real pleasure for me to work with him!

[AlishaPopat]

Thank you for this comment, it really was an honour to get Peter and Zolani on this track with me!

[sarahbee]

The world of music would be sadly lacking without Africa!

[jonathan]

I see this song as a message that the world have to solve Africa's problems like Poverty, AIDS, Malaria, Child soldiers etc and we must help now

[kevinsawyer]

I don't understand why people have to post such negative comments. I am just a simple country boy from Memphis, TN. that loves all music and not just country. I think this was an amazing collaboration that's trying to promote peace and love something this world could use a lot more of. And or all those with negative comments there's an old saying that says " If you can't say nothing nice don't say nothing at all ". Keep singing great music Alisha and I will keep buying and listening Love You!!!

[AlishaPopat]

it was such a pleasure to have you put your magic into this Peter. You are such an inspiration and such an amazing human being!

[AlishaPopat]

hahaah thank you! It was just simply an incredible experience singing and learning from Peter, i don't mind the crit, its a challenge to better my art!

[Composer_Ben]

To me, uh- metaphorically speaking- Alisha is the "mother" singing, Peter is the "father", and Zolani's voice is like Africa itself has awakened and is singing to itself.

This is just such a beautiful, well done thing.

[AlishaPopat]

Thank you all for your love and support- keep it coming, lets spread the message and pride for this incredible coninent and her people!

[Crocodileofdoom]

You know, hearing this song, and reading some comments, I came to realize that it doesn't matter where do you sing, what's important is to sing for peace, to make a message. I don't live in Africa and I would like to go, but listening to this song I remember in my country there has been massacres, not genocide, but there has been so much evil, in this amazing and beautiful country. Peace is neccesary everywhere and everytime :)

[AlishaPopat]

Singing for continued peace and hope for a brighter and all progressing Kenya and Africa- the world was watching us during the elections, i just want the world to see what i see- extreme pride and potential of Africa!

[AlishaPopat]

Naomi, i tried in this video to show a general story of Africa- her innocence, her struggles and at the end her STRENGTH, POWER, UNITY, POTENTIAL. Thank you for the comment though, i am proudly kenyan and i appreciate all the constructive crit

[otmrs]

I have never been to Africa, but I recently spent some time in El Salvador with a service-learning project and it was amazing to see how powerful the human spirit is, even after decades of fear and oppression. After being taken advantage of for so long it's very easy to, as Peter sang "forget your beauty and your grace, forget the love of your innocent face", and to see such hope and passion coming from Africa is truly inspiring.
I hope to one day be able to visit your wonderful continent.
Peace

[rockjock]

I am not sure, but I cried a little during this. I just hate that there is so much suffering in the world. God please come back and fix this world of hate and struggle.

[cafesmitty]

No joke, grown man, this brought tears to my eyes it so beautiful.

[maryhelenferris]

so glad Peter Hollens invited me to join in your much thanks

[IanPaulWright]

Peter sent me - I'm glad he did! Here's to a better future for Africa...

[lucadimartino]

La musica più leale, sincera, pulita e cantata con il cuore e senz altro quell'africana....è musica semplice ma allo stesso tempo la più difficile da suonare e da cantare, è una musica non programmata...un canto libero!! Bellissima la voce di Alisha come lei del resto...

[ervinnunes]

Great song and a great video. Great collaboration with Zolani and Peter. Keep up the great work you are doing Alisha, without peace we can’t leave in this world. Keep on keeping on. Spread the peace. Aqua Sounds wishes you all the best.

[AlishaPopat]

So glad you enjoyed it- alot of heart and passion went into it!