Earlier this year, iTunes Canada banned songs from Jamaican dancehall artists Elephant Man, Buju Banton and TOK because of their homophobic lyrics. By urging violence against gay men, the performers deter many from coming forward for HIV testing, education and care.
We thought you’d like to meet some musicians who are using their influence to spread HIV awareness, not hate:
Lyfe Jennings: The conscious R&B crooner drops knowledge with his new song “It’s Real,” reminding young people that anyone can contract the virus.
Ari Hest: This spring at colleges around the country, the pop singer hosted his Music Inspired Health Tour to encourage the importance of getting tested and using condoms.
Feliciano dos Santos: The award-winning Mozambique songwriter sings about water sanitation and HIV infection rates in his homeland.
Hanson: Known for the catchy ’90s hit “Mmmbop,” the brothers show their serious side in their song “The Great Divide,” about the AIDS epidemic in South Africa.
