Rapper Emmanuel Jal's Trip to Peace
Rapper Emmanuel Jal was one of the "Lost Boys" — youths caught up in violence in Sudan. He later escaped to Kenya. Now he's making music about peace.
Emmanuel Jal lived in Kenya and Great Britain after escaping the wars in Sudan.
Jal's new CD, Ceasefire, pairs him with Abdel Gadir Salim, a celebrated singer and musician from northern Sudan. Their music reflects the juxtapositions found in many parts of the world: Christian and Muslim; modern and traditional.
The project — a rare collaboration between musicians from southern Sudan and its north — is one close to Jal's heart. By the age of 8, he was carrying a gun as a conscripted soldier in the Sudan People's Liberation Army. Only with the help of his adoptive British mother did he manage to get away from the violence.
Jal, who converted to Christianity after leaving Sudan, has also lived in Great Britain — where he solidified his love for hip-hop. In addition to his music career, Jal works with the Campaign to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers
Related NPR Stories
Featured Artist
Purchase Featured Music
Ceasefire
More From Music Interviews
Comments
You must be signed in to leave a comment. Sign In / Register
Please keep your community civil. All comments must follow the NPR.org Community rules and Terms of Use. NPR reserves the right to use the comments we receive, in whole or in part, and to use the commenter's name and location, in any medium. See also the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Community FAQ.
