TANZANIA: ALI Kiba Finally Releases Song That Will Help Fight Poaching

ALI Kiba has finally released his long-awaited song, ‘Lupela’ after weeks of anticipation amongst his legion of fans in East Africa and beyond.

The song is part of the “Poaching Steals from Us All” campaign, launched last year by WildAid and the African Wildlife Foundation, who work together in Africa and Asia to reduce consumer demand for wildlife products and to raise awareness of Africa’s poaching crisis.

The video that showcases the song was shot on location in Los Angeles, USA, where Ali Kiba was appearing as a guest of honour at a glittering event hosted by the international wildlife organisation WildAid.

Under the slogan ‘Ujangili Unatuumiza Sote’, Ali Kiba has worked alongside WildAid to raise awareness in Tanzania about the plight of the nation’s elephants, which have been slaughtered in their thousands for their ivory.

At a star-studded event that was held at the Slipway Hotel in Dar es Salaam over the weekend, invited guests and the media got to hear the song and see the video for the first time.

“We’re so proud to have Ali Kiba as a WildAid Ambassador,” said Salome Gasabile of WildAid. “Over the past year, he and his manager Seven has worked tirelessly for the elephants and we know that this song is going to make a big impact”.

“It was a pleasure to be part of this project. I hope whenever someone listens to this song, he or she will remember the positive impact elephants have towards Africa’s heritage and economy.

They generate so much money through tourism and those funds can go towards creating jobs, building schools and hospitals for communities around the national parks,” said Aleya Janell (‘Lupela’), who appeared as the video vixen in the song.

Asha Franklin, who appeared as one of the elephant dancers, has worked alongside Rihanna, and Ciara on various music videos and was excited to contribute her talent towards this great cause.

“This video was so cool for combining great music and a cause,” she said. “Having us as elephant dancers was so creative but, even though it’s entertainment, you still can see the importance of the cause.

“ The video itself was directed by Kevin Donovan, and produced and recorded by Brian Rumsey as a contribution to the campaign. Oththan Burnside, who has worked with various global icons including Rihanna and Sean Paul, choreographed the “the elephant dance”.

“Let’s make 2016 the Year of the Elephant — one we’ll remember as the year we finally stopped the ivory trade and gave elephants a real chance to recover from poaching,” said Ms Burnside.

“Help to play a part in saving these beautiful animals! Please check out Lupela, Alikiba’s new music video that I had such a pleasure choreographing”