Female soul, electronica and hip-hop artists release album for Amnesty

A roster of international female soul, electronica and hip-hop artists is donating 60% of the proceeds of a new release entitled “Untold Songs: Vol.1” to Amnesty International.

The collection, available from 13 June on Jus Like Music Records, is being released to help raise awareness of Amnesty’s human rights campaigning to Women's rights's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights. 

The collection features 23 artists from around the world, including Ursula Rucker (The Roots / 4hero), Shuanise (TOKiMONSTA / fLako), Heidi Vogel (Cinematic Orchestra / Mark de Clive-Lowe), Vula (Basement Jaxx / Ty / Cee-Lo Green), Ahu (Flying Lotus), Yarah Bravo (One Self / kidkanevil), Stac (Wah Wah 45s / Nu:Tone), Tanya Auclair (YULT), Sarinah Leah (Ty / Eric Lau) and Elodie Rama (Natural Self / Hocus Pocus).

The album will be launched at an event at east London’s Rich Mix centre on 11 June, with live performances from some of the collection’s performers and live art from artists/illustrator Sri McKinnon. The gig will also be a celebration of Amnesty’s 50th anniversary, with 50 specially-baked Amnesty cupcakes by “Esme Bakes”.

As a taster for the full release, a free remix EP will be available for download on 6 June, featuring remixes from BUG, Quest, Silkie, Mizz Beats and Jett Letts. 

The release curator and event organiser is Hackney-based artist Belle, who also has a track on “Untold Songs”. She said:

“’Untold Songs’ is cause for a double celebration: it’s showcasing the amazing cutting-edge artistry of some of the world’s best female performers, while also celebrating Amnesty’s 50 years of human rights campaigning.

“The Rich Mix is the ideal place to launch Untold Songs - right in the heart of London’s vibrant music scene and right next to Amnesty’s headquarters.“

Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said: 

“Amnesty is fortunate to have the support of some brilliant musicians and this is a fantastic project.

“One of the things that Amnesty has been doing in our 50 years of human rights campaigning is supporting the brave work of Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights human rights defenders around the world. This album is an affirmation of the endless creativity and versatility of some of today’s most interesting female musicians.”

Note to editors:

The “Untold Songs” collection will be available digitally from Jus Like Music Records and is available for pre-order from 8 June as a download from http://amnesty.fairsharemusic.com at a cost of £5.00, a percentage of which goes to Amnesty. Sixty per cent the proceeds of all sales will be donated to Amnesty for its human rights work. Fairsharemusic partnered with Amnesty last year. More information: www.juslikemusicrecords.com,  http://shesaid2much.com

The 11 June Rich Mix event (at 7pm) is at 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA; tickets cost £5. More information: www.richmix.org.uk/aandc_untoldsongs.htm

Amnesty International UK is the world’s biggest human rights organisation with over three million supporters worldwide. It is entirely independent of governments and relies on individual donations for its global human rights work. It was founded in 1961 and is this year celebrating 50 years of human rights work. More information on Amnesty at 50: www.amnesty.org.uk/50

Full Tracklisting for “Untold Songs: Vol.1”:

 01. Paula Varjack - Between The Lines feat. Jonas McCloud

02. Stac - More (LenAfroSaxon Remix)

03. Ahu – Contact

04. Sarina Leah - Enlightened Minds

05. Vula - Turn The Clock Back

06. Shuanise – Africa

07. Belle - Open My Eyes

08. Naomi The Empress - I Want You

09. Fae Simon - Royal Flush feat. Jonas McCloud

10. Yarah Bravo - Freedom Fighters

11. Eva Lazarus – Spotlight

12. Tanya Auclair - Tight Little Fingers

13. Kadija Kamara - Talking 2 Myself

14. Ursula Rucker - She Said

15. Zayna Daze - Golden Girl

16. Baby Sol - No No

17. Ruby & Noah – Colours

18. Sabira Jade – Sometimes

19. Madame Pepper – Around

20. Heidi Vogel - Joy You Give

21. Kersha Bailey – Promises

22. Elodie Rama - Don't Explain

23. Belinda K Zhawi - Hama