Shout

[Pine]

Hey, what a noble thought - and a cool song as well. Even though USA for Africa did it before ('We are the world', remember?), I think this one will go down well, and let us not forget what it is all about. Hello Kurt & Steve, RIP Lucky Dube...

A host of South African celebrities have come together to launch a cover version of the 1980's hit song 'Shout' to kickstart a campaign against crime.

The SHOUT campaign works in association with Primedia's Crime Line, and is the vision of artists Danny K and Kabelo to raise money and encourage South Africans to get involved in the fight against crime.

According to Danny K he was inspired to use the music industry to get involved in the fight against crime in 2007, after the untimely death of music legend Lucky Dube due to crime. "That was the big catalyst in my mind that something needed to be done," said Danny K.

Danny talked to his friend and fellow musician Kabelo, and together they started talking to other South African musicians and record companies to get as many as possible to throw their weight behind the SHOUT campaign. They decided that the song 'Shout' by Tears for Fears was the ideal vehicle to carry their message.

The result is a star-studded, world class recording and music video that features artists including The Parlotones, Karen Zoid, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Freshly Ground, HHP, Lira, Prime Circle, Hugh Masakela, The Soweto Gospel choir, Watershed, Loyiso, Steve Hofmeyer, Louise Carver, Tasha Baxter and Kurt Darren.

"Shout is about a group of musicians getting together, taking their positions as leaders and representing the voice of the people about their unhappiness about the crime situation in South Africa," said Kabelo.

After the SHOUT DVD was made, Danny K's father and board member of the SHOUT foundation, Gavin Koppel, showed it to the head of Primedia's Crime Line, Yusuf Abramjee.

"When I looked at the SHOUT DVD it really made a major impact on me. It was powerful, the message was clear and the message was in line with what Crime Line stands for, namely, let's shout out, let's speak up, let's blow the whistle on crime," said Abramjee.

By adding their names to the campaign the artists all committed to the fight against crime. According to the MC of the SHOUT launch, Tsholo Mashishi, this comes at a time when musicians are in the media for all the wrong reasons.

Abramjee said this acts as a reminder for artists to watch their actions closely and take a stance against crime, as they serve as role models.

To loud applause, Abramjee asked South Africans to stop bribing traffic cops and buying fake DVDs or stolen or hijacked goods, and to contact Crime Line if they knew about any crimes.

He said that so far 902 arrests have been made thanks to Crime Line tip-offs, and that they were hoping to reach 1000 arrests within three weeks with the help of the SHOUT campaign.

A member of the audience at the SHOUT launch pledged to donate R500 000 to the campaign over the next five years to help the fight against crime.

According to Kabelo they hope to see more visible and tangible results from the SHOUT campaign. "When we come together as an industry, be scared, and watch this space," he said.

The first goal of the campaign is to get as many people as possible to download the song, while raising awareness of the need to take a stand against crime. The song is available to download for R20, and all proceeds will go to initiatives that support victims of crime and projects for the prevention of crime.

Danny K said that he believes that evil prevails when good men do nothing. "I am convinced that the majority of this nation is good people and the majority of this country want change and want a difference and want to feel safe in their own homes and in our streets."

He added that the SHOUT campaign gives South Africans an opportunity to no longer sit at home at their dining room tables moaning about crime, but to lend their voices to the fight against crime.

"Download the song, start a forum in your neighbourhood, you know, it's not gonna change until it changes with you. That's what SHOUT is about, making a personal change in your life that will spread like a wildfire through this country."

For more information, visit http://www.shoutsa.com .

[karmakoma]

Actually sounds pretty good! usually these type of songs are quickly thrown together and you only support it because of the message. Well done SA artists. Real who's who in that vid!

Sounds like the song was made for Prime Circle and Tamara Day. Don't get me wrong, rest of the artists all sounded great (Arno, Karen, Kabelo,Louise, Parlotones, Ed, even Steve, Freshly ground, Loyiso (MR Cool),SGC etc), but those stood out for me.... and thank goodness Kurt was muted Someone in wardrobe needs to be fired, having Proverb wear a jacket with an American flag, should have been SA all the way!

[Bugger]

Yes wery intresting way they have done the song and does not sound bad atall

[Pine]

Sunset Ribbon Red was a similar project by Levis a few years ago for Aids awareness. Some cool rides in this song with the SA artists