Members of the Marley family, including Stephen, Cedella, and Skip Marley, have launched a reimagined version of the late Bob Marley’s iconic anthem One Love to support UNICEF’s work for children affected by Covid-19.
The song, released on Friday by Tuff Gong International and Amplified Music Ltd and available on all major streaming platforms, was recorded by the Marley family in response to a call by UNICEF to help reimagine a fairer, more just world for children whose lives have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to honor the late Bob Marley.
The song and music video also come during the year-long celebration of Bob Marley’s 75th birthday, and feature artists and musicians from Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Jamaica, Mali, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, the United Kingdom and the United States, including:
Stephen Marley;
Cedella Marley;
Skip Marley;
Ghetto Youths Foundation;
Kim Nain;
Manifesto JA;
Teeks;
249Too Dope;
Amrit Kaur;
Mermans Mosengo;
Jason Tamba;
Natty;
Dawtas of Aya;
Raja Kumari;
Patoranking;
Babsy;
Damascus Voice.
“One Love was written as a call for global solidarity at a time when the world was very divided, much as it is now. And yet, only by uniting with one love and one heart can we defeat this virus, protect our children, and make the world a more just and equal place,” said Cedella Marley.
“All over the world, children and families are suffering. Whether they are living in refugee camps, slums or favelas, or they lack access to healthcare or school, or are being treated unfairly because of their race, religion, ethnicity or gender, our dream with this song is to reimagine a world where all children are treated equally – just as my father intended.”
“Being on this record with so many incredible musicians from around the world is a true blessing,” said Skip Marley.
True to the message of global unity in the song, the video is a compilation of footage from all around the world including children from Ghetto Youths Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Stephen, Damian and Julian Marley; The Dharavi Dream Project in India; artists from Manifesto Ja in Jamaica and Road To Freedom and featuring appearances by the artists, as well as Indian actor and UNICEF celebrity advocate, Kareena Kapoor Khan and British actress Lena Headey.
Covid-19 has upended the lives of children around the world and exposed rampant inequalities both within and among countries.
UNICEF estimates that an additional 6,000 children could die every day from preventable causes over the next six months – almost all of them (over 90 per cent) in low or lower-middle income countries – as the pandemic continues to weaken health systems and disrupt services.
Children are also extremely vulnerable to the indirect impacts of the virus, such as school closures, food shortages, limited access to basic healthcare, and disruptions to medical supply chains.
In response, UNICEF has launched Reimagine — an urgent appeal to governments, the public, donors and the private sector to support UNICEF’s efforts to respond, recover and reimagine a world currently besieged by Covid-19.
“One Love is one of the world’s most iconic solidarity anthems. But it is also a song about children, and their hopes and dreams for a better, more united and equal world,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore.
“Today, in the midst of a global pandemic, responding to Bob Marley’s call to ‘hear the children crying one love’ is more important and relevant than ever. Only together can we defeat COVID-19 and reimagine a more equal, less discriminatory world for children.”
