Billy Talent Among Canuck Rockers On "Song For Africa"

04/05/06 6:30pm

by Phil Villeneuve (CHARTattack)

Several Canadian rockers have recorded "Song For Africa," a project organized to educate the country's youth about the AIDS pandemic in Africa as well as to raise money for relief efforts.

Billy Talent, Ian Thornley, Liam Killeen (Not By Choice), Danny Greaves (Watchmen, Doctor), Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar, Grady), Choclair, Kyle Riabko and Ken Tizzard (Thornley, Watchmen) all contributed to the track, which was written by Rob Wells, Luke McMaster, Simon Wilcox and Winnipeg producer Darcy Ataman.

Two versions of the song are expected to be released by Universal in June: a rock mix and another featuring an eight-bar rap verse from Choclair. A video for the song, which was shot during the recording sessions, will premiere at the AIDS 2006 World Conference in Toronto on August 13.

"I'm delighted that after a full year of planning and preparation that this is actually happening," says Ataman. "I'm amazed and am in awe at the kindness and dedication these Canadian artists have demonstrated to me regarding the cause and this project."

The song originally wasn't going to be played live, but there's a chance that it could be performed at the conference.

"Ian [D'Sa] from Billy Talent gets off the Warped Tour the week before the conference and asked me if it could happen," says Ataman. "It's a possibility now."

Ataman hopes that the song will generate awareness among young Canadians about the importance of finding practical solutions to the AIDS pandemic in Africa and raise funds to benefit CARE Canada (one of Canada's largest agencies fighting AIDS) and finance a mobile AIDS clinic in Kenya that will be built with help from Free The Children.

People can donate to the cause via the song's website. Ataman was pleasantly surprised that supporters started donating to the Kenya clinic project before the song was completed.

"With the upcoming AIDS conference, the world's media will be focused on Canada," says Ataman. "It's our chance to show that we are at the forefront of finding a solution to the devastating emergency. This is a moment in history to help create a tipping point for AIDS in Africa."