The KEY
Official Video Releases:
Yei filmed by young refugees on location at Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya
My Power featuring Nile Rodgers & CHIC
We Want Peace Reloaded featuring Emmanuel Jal, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Das Racist, Dispatch, OAR, Peter Gabriel, Alicia Keys, Ringo Starr, George Clooney, Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan and many more
‘The Key’ is available NOW:
Digital:
Physical:
Gatwitch HMV Canada
Physical (Order online)
*All profits raised from the album, download sales and touring will go towards supporting entrepreneurs across Africa who share The Key is E‘s vision to improve the lives of young people from their countries.
The creative inspiration behind The Key, comes from the heart of The Key is E’s founders; with both Emmanuel Jal and Paul Lindley wanting to unearth a music-driven project that focuses on children’s rights and issues, and provide a much needed view on the Africa of today as seen through their eyes, both conceptually and tangibly.
The result is the launch of The Key Emmanuel Jal’s most ambitious and sonically adventurous music project to date. Recorded in Kenya, Uganda, London, New York, Connecticut and Toronto, and co-executively produced by both Paul Lindley and engineer-to-the-stars Demacio “Demo” Castellon (Jay Z, Rihanna), The Key is more than just another album. Throughout the 13 songs, there is a sense that this album intentionally veers away from the constraints of one sound. Instead, the album recalls the experiences and music from Emmanuel’s own journey: from South Sudan, through to Ethiopia, Kenya, London and Toronto. By perfectly melding traditional African village sounds and ways of thinking to contemporary urban hip hop and global pop music, it seamlessly spans genres, moving from EDM, reggae/dub and afrobeats all the way to, folk and soul. It’s equally cerebral and danceable whilst becoming effortlessly multi-generational. And it’s unapologetic music with a message, with each song crafted to engage youth in the process of learning about the world they’ll inherit.
There are notable collaborations on The Key that would make most music enthusiasts’ heads spin; Grammy-winning vocalists and producers Nelly Furtado and Nile Rodgers; Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run DMC, Peter Gabriel, African Children’s Choir, Jeff Gunn, Hit Room’s Anthony Marshall, Tanika Charles and long time collaborators Roachie, Silvastone and Chris Adwar. But at its heart lies Jal, a modern day griot who forges ahead lyrically with flows, sounds, and multi-lingual lyricisms that appeal to the urban and suburban, rural to cosmopolitan, and everything in between.
Music has the power to engage us like no other medium and Emmanuel and Paul’s vision is for a world where all children are empowered to find their voice. Emmanuel’s album articulates that philosophy creatively and clearly, so much so that The Key will open the hearts and minds of young and old alike.