It would be totally inconsistent with logic to expect anything free of controversy from Bob Geldof, the man who defines the word-controversy. And as such, one must be extra vigilant if Bob comes knocking at your down.
Few days ago, he made headlines when he was taken off SKY news for saying the word ‘bollocks’ twice—and this is just an infinitesimal portion of the cloud of controversy that surrounds his person and his works.
It’s therefore right on the preliminary level for Ghanaian/Londoner-musician Fuse ODG to have had deep concerns when Geldof wanted him on the recording of Band Aid 30—and as he explained below, his turn down of the offer was difficult but it would remain as one of the best decisions he has made…
Writing for the Guardian Newspaper, Fuse ODG said;
“Saying no to Bob Geldof is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make this year. However, seeing what looked like the corpse of an African woman being carried out of her home on primetime TV when the video was premiered on X Factor crystallised my concerns about this strategy to combat the Ebola crisis. For me it is ultimately flawed.
A week before the recording of Band Aid 30, I received a call from Geldof asking if I would take part. I was honoured to be asked and, connecting with his passion for wanting to tackle the Ebola crisis, said I wanted to offer my support.
But I also had my concerns. I was sceptical because of the lyrics and the videos of the previous charity singles, and I worried that this would play into the constant negative portrayal of the continent of Africa in the west. Geldof and I spoke at length about this and he agreed with me on many levels, assuring me that we could use it as an opportunity to showcase the positives of Africa.