25 June 2009
Zambian Musicians Sing Obama Lyrics in “Change We Can Believe In”
Obama inauguration speech inspires song
Lusaka, Zambia — On January 20, 2009, Sheko Tembo and her daughters were at home in Lusaka watching the inauguration of Barack Obama. Captivated by his speech, Tembo, a natural singer, immediately broke into song, accompanied by her daughters. Little did she know that in a few weeks she would be called to join a group of artists and producers in creating the song “Change We Can Believe In.”
Also watching the inauguration, Christopher Wurst, the American public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Lusaka, had an idea. “As President Obama was giving his inaugural address, it was clear that although he was speaking to the American people, the hundred Zambians in the room that I was in were hearing his message on a real global level. And they were very excited about what he was saying.”
Wurst collaborated with well-known Zambian percussionist and human rights activist Brian Chengala (known as “Shakarongo”) to create a song inspired by Obama’s message. Wurst and Chengala also brought in John Phiri, the director of Global Justice in Zambia, an organization that aims to teach Zambian youth about the importance of voting and civic participation. Ten days later, a group of A-team performers, talented musicians, came together to produce it.
“Change We Can Believe In” was aired on local radio and television and offered as a download on Zamtunes, inspiring young people to participate in local elections.
Said singer Sheko: “It’s been an honor doing something based on Obama. I remember the day he won; I was so excited I started composing a song with my kids, shouting, “Obama, Obama,” not knowing that one day I would actually be asked to be part of a real project. I am excited!”
Tembo said that participating in the production has been “overwhelming … a great, dynamic experience.” A gospel singer, Tembo was accompanied by outstanding talent, including Mutamula Mwale, Jay, Elijah, Mau, Sista D, Yvonne Mwale, Dambisa, Bee Man, Sebastian Mutale and John Kabanga.
Together, they combined traditional forms of pop, hip-hop, reggae and gospel, in an unforgettable Zambian tune:
We are at a time in history where our challenges are so great,
Hatred and war, failing economies
Threaten our very existence
Let’s put aside selfish agendas
And build to make a better world,
Transform the sectors of energy, education and health
And bring prosperity to all.
Different people, different tongues, but still we resolve to make a difference;
Not just a dream, hope and words; change we can believe in.
More than a catchy song, “Change We Can Believe In” has inspired youth in Zambia to get involved and to make a difference. The release of the song coincided in Zambia with the visit of Eric Casher, an organizer for Obama’s presidential campaign, who spoke at the Zambia Youth Voter Campaign and encouraged Zambians to get involved in the process by voting, organizing and using their numbers as power in the 2011 election.
“It was an honor to be part of this project,” said singer Elijah. “It opened my eyes to be part of the group that is encouraging youths to just register as voters because that’s how we can actually make change.”
More recently, the same team came together again, with celebrated Zimbabwean musician Oliver Mtukudzi, this time to sing about preventative health care. The group recorded “Rhythm of Life,” and performed it as the centerpiece of a health fair in Lusaka in May 2009, supported by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). PEPFAR is by far the largest provider of resources in Zambia to fight HIV/AIDS. At the event, the U.S. ambassador to Zambia, Donald Booth, reminded the crowd that “prevention is essential to a healthier Zambia and to a wealthier Zambia. … We’ve made great strides …. But if an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, think what we could do with a pound of prevention.”
The free music, arts and health festival resounded with songs that encouraged Africans to do their part to create a healthier community, including “Rhythm of Life”:
Come on, everybody, we can be safe from HIV,
Be faithful to your partner and live responsibly,
C’mon let’s keep our communities malaria- free,
C’mon, everyone, be smart and plan your families,
C’mon, everyone, let’s stop infant mortality,
C’mon, let’s make sure mothers get safe delivery,
’Coz it takes you and me to make a better world!
Like “Change We Can Believe In,” “Rhythm of Life” has been distributed to numerous radio stations throughout Zambia and is available for free download at Zamtunes.
“It’s becoming like an anthem,” says Mutamula Mwale, referring to “Change We Can Believe In.” “It’s gathering all youths together and I think we are all realizing that yes, we can — we can make a difference in our country, we can make a difference in our continent, we can make a difference even in the world.”
