Music for Wildlife uses the emotional power of music to inspire action for wildlife protection and raises awareness
"Music for Wildlife," a vibrant concert series that unites African musicians in support of the continent's iconic wildlife, has been introduced by the international non-profit Wild Africa Fund.
The concert will take place this weekend with OAS1SONE, a premium live, on-demand content and live experiences network on Trace TV broadcast channels and streaming platform, according to a statement from the NGO obtained by BusinessDay.
According to the Wild Africa Fund, Music for Wildlife has helped more than 350 million people around the world recognize Africa's artistic ability and natural heritage.
Focalistic, and a multitude of other stars as well as the latest emerging talent, tell the story of their music, lives, careers and inspirations, and express their passion for endangered species.
The statement says, "Each concert also includes special features from African and international stars like Davido, 2Baba, Jacky Chan, Boity, Alex Iwobi, Stonebwoy, Emmanuella, Yao Ming, Sir Richard Branson, Morgan Heritage, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Stephanie Linus, Djimon Hounsou, and many others from music entertainment, sports, comedy, television, and film."
"Music for Wildlife uses the emotional power of music to inspire action for wildlife protection and raises awareness. It features over 150 musicians from across the continent." There has never been a greater need for innovative, timely approaches to foster societal engagement with conservation.
Africa, which is home to 25% of the world's biodiversity, faces many difficulties, including habitat loss, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, climate change, and conflict between people and wildlife. In the last 50 years, the number of animals that call the continent home has decreased by 66%, according to WWF's Living Planet Report.
"Nigeria, once home to cheetahs, giraffes, and rhinos, is experiencing a rapid loss of biodiversity." Many species are in danger of extinction; there are only about 100 Cross River gorillas, 50 West African lions, and a few hundred elephants. The UN reports that the nation has the highest rate of deforestation in the world, losing 3.7% of its critically important forest annually, and that it has become a hub for the illegal trade in ivory and pangolin scales.
But Africa isn't going to remain quiet. Artists raise their voices, speak out against the threats facing wildlife, and encourage their audiences to connect with their wild spaces in national parks—from Accra to Windhoek, from Johannesburg to Lagos. Nigerian musicians, including Laycon, Ckay, 2Baba, and others, are particularly outspoken and collaborating with Wild Africa as part of a larger initiative that goes beyond Music for Wildlife. In addition to encouraging wildlife tourism, they are speaking out against the illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, and bushmeat trade. And it's making a difference.
"Africans should care about protecting wildlife," stated Focalistic, a multi-award winning rapper, singer, songwriter, and worldwide superstar who was one of the early pioneers of Amapiano. In Africa, jobs related to wildlife and national parks are generated by drawing tourists from all over the continent.
