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 SOAPBOX - ANNIE LENNOX gets the last word
The pop icon uses her music to bring global awareness to HIV/AIDS
Citizens of wealthy Western countries have, for the most part, the privileges of political and economic stability, freedom of speech and democracy. But for millions of people around the globe, this way of life is almost unimaginable. I have always been aware of this fact, but I had a particular wake-up call several years ago when I went to Cape Town in South Africa to take part in the launch of Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign. It was then and there that I understood the full extent of the genocide of HIV/AIDS, and since that time, I’ve been earnestly trying to bring people’s attention to the situation as frequently and effectively as I can.
Dave Stewart had been working very hard for some time, trying to make the first 46664 concert happen. He asked me if I’d like to take part, and I was delighted to participate. There were a number of fantastic musicians involved, including Bono, Beyoncé, Youssou N’Dour, Peter Gabriel, Bob Geldof, Queen, Angelique Kidjo, Ladysmith Black Mambazo…so it was an exciting musical lineup.
Years ago, Eurythmics had performed at Wembley Stadium for the Nelson Mandela birthday tribute, while the great man was still incarcerated in Robben Island. It was incredible to pay homage to him again and lend our music and support for the launch of his HIV/AIDS foundation. It wasn’t until we were all assembled in the exercise yard of Robben Island, witnessing him address the assembled world media, that I suddenly grasped the full impact that the HIV/ AIDS pandemic has had upon countless numbers of people. When Mandela personally described it as a “genocide”—with the accrued death rate amounting to more than the numbers of both World Wars put together—I was profoundly affected. It was then that I decided to really get on board and do whatever I could to help bring attention to this completely unacceptable situation.
With the track “Sing” on my new album, I wanted to write and record an anthemic song as a vehicle to bring attention and focus to the issue of HIV/AIDS and women particularly. I feel that my life has been so privileged in comparison to millions of women who don’t have access to the things we take for granted, such as healthcare, education and employment opportunities. So I feel that as a musician and a communicator, I’m well placed to speak and send the message out.
I thought the project could go further if other artists could get on board with their endorsement. Then the message would spread out to their fan bases, and the media interest in general would be heightened. So I wrote a letter, which was like a mission statement, explaining the background of the HIV/AIDS situation and how I’d become involved.
The Sugababes were the first to lay their vocals down, swiftly followed by Beverly Knight. Then the whole thing just blossomed from there. By the time Madonna had laid down the second verse, I knew we were on to a good thing!
The title of my new album, Songs Of Mass Destruction, reflects the times we live in on all kinds of levels, but the songs were written intuitively, in the sense that there is no specific political subject being addressed, with the exception of “Sing.” I think that life is paradoxical, filled with coexistent contradictions. That’s what makes it all so damned interesting. I hope that people will be touched, moved, inspired, soothed, affirmed, connected with and healed by the album.
I think that my own activism serves to channel out the frustration I might feel if I responded to current events in our world by being despondent and passive. I have the sense that there are millions of people around the globe who are sick of being misled and deceived by our so-called representatives, who seem to have the vision and humanity of mosquitoes. We need uncorrupted, inspired leadership at government level, but we just seem to have a bunch of rotten apples.
As well as that, I try to keep myself in tune with the force for good—the one that doesn’t come with a label and just gets on quietly with the job at hand. I’ve been an artist, writer and performer for many years, but right now I have the feeling that’s never been more clear for me. In terms of my voice and my vocal capacity, I had a kind of “shift” a few years ago, and it seems to be stronger and more flexible than ever, curiously. In terms of sense and purpose, I no longer feel I need to make any excuses or compromises about what I do. It’s very tuned in. Very focused.
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Songs Of Mass Destruction is out now from Arista. To learn more about Nelson Mandela’s HIV/AIDS campaign, visit 46664.com
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