Peter Gabriel - Biko (Song Around The World / Playing For Change)

“You can blow out a candle, but you can't blow out a fire. Once the flames begin to catch, the wind will blow it higher.”

The video was originally created for The Peace Through Music: A Global Event for Social Justice which took place in December 2020, and was hosted on the Playing for Change social media channels. The event was part of the activities to commemorate the United Nations 75th anniversary, and championed the full protection and promotion of human rights for all.

This stand alone video launched in honor of Black History Month in February 2021. The song was inspired by the death of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko while in police custody, and the song’s relevance still holds true with the unfortunate police brutality that continues to take place in the USA, Nigeria and many places around the world. More than 25 musicians from seven countries join Gabriel for this global rendition to share a message of unity, peace, and hope, including Beninese vocalist and activist Angélique Kidjo, Silkroad’s Yo-Yo Ma, and bass legend Meshell Ndegeocello.

Produced by Sebastian Robertson and Mark Johnson

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SPECIAL THANKS TO PFC PARTNERS IN MAKING CHANGE:
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Playing For Change (PFC) is a movement created to inspire and connect the world through music, born from the shared belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. The primary focus of PFC is to record and film musicians performing in their natural environments and combine their talents and cultural power in innovative videos called Songs Around The World. Creating these videos motivated PFC to form the Playing For Change Band—a tangible, traveling representation of its mission, featuring musicians met along their journey; and establish the Playing For Change Foundation—a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting music programs for children around the world. Through these efforts, Playing For Change aims to create hope and inspiration for the future of our planet.

[karenfalch]

I am playing this song while crying because Navalny was murdered in prison. I experienced the death of hope when Soviet tanks rolled into Czechoslovakia in 1968. I then got on my Vespa scooter, drove myself to the Russian embassy in Oslo where 30? people had gathered. The rock I threw over the fence made it 1/3 of the way to the building. We must all do what we can to make the world a better place.
Please Peter Gabriel keep tending to making our world better by your powerful music helping to promote freedom in this world we live in. .
PS Woodstock, NY loves you!

[zenithoclock]

It will be to the shame of the world if the name Stephen Biko is ever forgotten. He is a symbol for those who are persecuted and killed for 'political crimes', for those who believe the world can be a better place. Today in 2023 these atrocities are still being committed around the world, it must stop.

[Leodensian]

At 71 Peter Gabriel sounds as good as he ever did.

[psifiusc]

Over the years, I’ve simply come to terms with the reality that if Peter Gabriel is involved in something, it’s going to be absolutely awesome. Awesomeness is literally all the guy does.

[manneschulle]

Einfach geil. War damals in Berlin als Peter Gabriel in der Eishalle Jaffeestraße sang. Ich höre es heute noch.

[felixabayomiakanbaiyaniwur]

One world, one people! Enough of division! Enough of hate! We all need eachother !

[rowdyreidgirl]

RIP Steve Biko, passed by the hands of the police, September 1977 in a South African police cell. The year I was born ❤️ Peter Gabriel put it beautifully 💕 He was a beacon of hope for Black South African people ❤️❤️

[HarryEiche]

Wenn mir alles auf die Eier geht, höre ich mir Peter an. Dann geht, s mir wieder gut. Danke Peter

[mizzboomorris]

'The Sheer Magnanimous Beauty of Humanity and Culture', More beautiful than most other things on this Beauty of Community and Braught to 'Life' in Peter Gabriel and their Music like it is God's breathe to air or Water...bringing back life to a Barren place.Humanity's sometimes dis compassion is the barren place: but these people are the 'Life'. (I love this record because it says how I felt growing up in a 'Hippy Eco Community in Scotland!!!..I Was Free and so happily social...that I did. not need much of Any Other Material thing...but to 'be there'. !!! Miss BOO!@

[fatimabarrocas]

Biko was a hero, he died... I saw Birdy many years ago... Peter Gabriel is a person aheath of his time...

[RuiBarEdits]

There's one universal language: MUSIC. It can be a very powerful thing!

[NiamhCullen]

This song gets better with age. Better yet when Peter involves so many people. This celebration of Stephen Biko is wondrous and should be continued throughout the years.

[thetruthisoutthere]

In a time of isolation, fear and uncertainty, Peter reminds us of the power of music to unite the world.

[barrywassel]

Steve Biko's saying, about causes, rings so true today in the American political spectrum. Too many Rep's have given up their soul for a dying idea, The Rump.

[robbiengall]

It made me cry. There’s no way for me to express how much Peter means to me, as an artist and as a human being.

[critney_]

And the eyes of the world are watching now ...
watching now ...

What a fantastic (but still sad) version

[RingfSaturn]

This song has been so powerful in so many ways for so many years. This performance brings another level, a global level of importance to the song and the story of Stephen Biko and helps us to remember that injustice and to recognize others when they arise.

[sharonbaker]

I had not seen this until now…so intensely moving, and I thought the Amnesty International performance was…with PFC’s work, I am at a loss for words. Thank you so much to everyone involved who made this happen.

Bantu Stephen Biko (18 December 1946 – 12 September 1977) was a South African anti-apartheid activist. Ideologically an African nationalist and African socialist, he was at the forefront of a grassroots anti-apartheid campaign known as the Black Consciousness Movement during the late 1960s and 1970s.

[zwergi]

Goosebumps and teardrops!
Thank you Peter for all these years trying to make the world a better place!
Thank you and all the musicians for this tune of Biko🙏

[PierTampa]

This man is legend. Surrounded by greatness