London is one of the busiest and most varied cities in the world. I was born in Sudan but now live in Camden. Nothing beats that part of north London. It’s so cosmopolitan and relaxed.
I was a child-soldier in Sudan and went back last year to film a documentary on my life and the war. It was the first time I had returned to my hometown and it was hard. I lost my family and childhood there. I have never been very strong when talking about my story, but music allows me to share what I have experienced. I have a responsibility now.
Music united me with my family. I began using it as a form of therapy to help me and then went on to do concerts in Kenya to raise funds for the lost boys of Sudan to go to school. My estranged sister heard an interview I did on the BBC World Service and subsequently aid workers helped smuggle her and my brother into Kenya to meet me.
I escaped Sudan by being rescued by a British aid worker. This brave woman, Emma McCune, helped over 150 child soldiers. I’ve written a song for her on my new album. I learnt English in Kenya and it was where people first accepted my music.
I miss the food in Africa. You can get most of the dishes over here but they taste different. They have been ‘Londonised’.
Americans love my music. I did a concert there for National Geographic and I got a great reaction. They said they thought hip-hop was dying and that they needed musicians like me.
I would like to take my work to Australia. There are many boys from Sudan who have been adopted out there. Many haven’t been given the counselling they need and the lifestyle can be a shock to them. They get caught up in crime and don’t appreciate the opportunity they have been given.
I have performed all over Europe but Ireland really stood out for me. It was definitely a highlight. The Irish know how to have a good time.
Emmanuel Jal is the founder of Gua Africa (guaafricaonline.com), a charity that helps young people in Sudan and Kenya. Emmanuel Jal’s latest album is Warchild. Interview by Emma Parfitt.
