Do They Know It’s Christmas? Africans Speak Out on Band Aid 30

Bob Geldof, Bono and other artists such as One Direction, Chris Martin and many others have re-mixed and released an updated version of Band Aid’s – “Do they know it’s Christmas?”

So BattaBox hits the streets of London to ask Africans what they think of the new single and – “Do they know it’s Christmas?”

The new song by Band Aid 30 years after the original in 1984 has already become the fastest selling song of the year. An astonishing feat considering the song was recorded on a Saturday afternoon with a 24-hour turn-around. Bob Geldof says the money raised from the single will go to help ease the Ebola crisis in West Africa.

However, there has been considerable criticism of the re-released song – including concerns that it is condescending, does not represent Africa and it is unclear how exactly the money will be spent. “I think it’s the sort of thing that makes people feel better, I don’t think it makes that much difference and is not that sort of systematic change that you want,” says one woman. “It’s that kind of alleviation of guilt.” But others disagree: “I love it,” says another woman. “I think it’s brilliant… I will buy it.”

The latest version of Band Aid 30 new song “Do they Know it’s Christmas?” is out now.