Much attention has been paid to artists doing charity work for Haiti — as it should be — but the Grammy nominees, Senagal-born rapper Akon and American singer Keri Hilson go in front of the lens to shoot the music video for their charity single "Oh Africa" and has been premiered on last Sunday night in coincidence with the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards with proceeds going to benefit underprivileged African youth in the motherland, including Akon's Konfidence Foundation. The track has been available for download on iTunes immediately after Grammy Awards ceremony."Oh Africa" is recorded for new Pepsi football TV commercial for the brand's worldwide campaign "Refresh Your World," which is based on enabling youth to make a positive change in the world. The Gil Green directed clip featuring Akon's performance with his collaborator Hilson, unite on wax for the third time, follows "Change Me" and "Mic Check," go colorful with African paint theme, it showcases vibrantly-colored African visuals with the South African Soweto Gospel Choir on vocals with 16 aspiring young musicians from around the world who won the chance to appear.
The bright, multi-colored video also features football players who make cameo appearances in the music video for "Oh Africa." It's a pairing that would strike fear into the hearts of the most solid Premier League back four. Liverpool hitman Fernando Torres and Chelsea forward Didier Drogba have teamed up - off the football pitch - to help raise money for underprivileged African youths.
"The whole aura of it is so fun, the color, the painting and the drums," R&B star Akon commented on the video shoot. "It brings out all the cultural parts of Africa you can ever think of and it doesn't even seem like a video, it seems more like a work of art that just happens to be a video. I hope you enjoy the look behind the scenes." Akon has also been known to extend his generosity to his fellow artists. Predictably, the song is heavy on treacle without saying much, but that doesn't prevent this from becoming sort of uplifting.
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