The Voice Project (charity) The Voice Project is a multimedia music based non-profit initiative focused on aiding women’s groups in Uganda, Sudan, Democratic Republic Congo, and Central African Republic affected by violence from the Lord's Resistance Army in one of Africa's longest-running conflicts.
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Founded in 2009, The Voice Project was inspired by women's groups in Northern Uganda who use songs passed by word of mouth and on the radio to let children and soldiers who have been abducted and forced to fight in Joseph Kony’s Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) know that they are forgiven for the atrocities they were forced to commit and are welcome home. The project enlists musicians from around the world in passing participation from one to another by word of mouth and through music by covering another artist’s song in “cover chains.” [1][2][3] According to Rolling Stone “To bring awareness to the problems of LRA violence plaguing Northern Uganda, Southern Sudan, Eastern Congo and Central African Republic, the Voice Project has recruited a number of artists to play a game of musical tag.” [4] Each performance is video recorded and shown on The Voice Project’s website as well as distributed through social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Participants have included indie rock acts such as Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Andrew Bird, Dawes, and Joe Purdy as well as more popular and international artists such as Peter Gabriel, Billy Bragg, Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Angélique Kidjo and former child soldier Emmanuel Jal.[5][6][7][8][9]
(in alphabetical order)
• Akello Miriam • Andrew Bird • Angélique Kidjo • Babaluku (Bataka Squad) • Bajah + Dry Eye Crew • Bedouin Soundclash • Billy Bragg • Brett Dennen • Chloe Chaidez (Kitten) • Dawes • Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros • Emmanuel Jal • Garrison Starr • Gary Go • Greg Laswell • Har Mar Superstar (Sean Na Na) • Joan Wasser (Joan As Police Woman) • JBM • Jesca Hoop • Joe Purdy • Joey Ryan • John McCauley (Deer Tick) • Joseph Arthur • Kenneth Pattengale • Maria Taylor (Azure Ray) • Matt Vasquez (Delta Spirit) • Mike Mills (R.E.M.) • Naked Hearts • O+S • Parts & Labor • Peter Gabriel • Priscilla Ahn • SoKo • Steel Train • The Black Swan Effect • The Gulu Widows Choir • The Moor • The Shivers • The Submarines • Tom Freund