Sounds Right: Kenyan Singer Bien Aime Baraza Joins Global Music Project for Environmental Conservation
Kenyan singer Bien Aime Baraza has recently joined a prestigious group of international artists, such as Ellie Goulding and Hozier, in a global music project called Sounds Right. This initiative, launched in 2024 by the Museum for the United Nations – UN Live, aims to raise $40 million by 2027 for environmental conservation through music collaborations that incorporate natural sounds. Artists like Blinky Bill and now Bien Aime are teaming up with NATURE, a representation of nature itself, to create music that supports conservation efforts and Indigenous communities. The project has already raised $400,000 and attracted artists from various African countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.
Sounds Right's unique approach involves using natural sounds in music to raise awareness about environmental conservation. Artists can collaborate with NATURE by incorporating sounds from forests, oceans, or wildlife into their songs. The royalties generated from these tracks are split equally between the artist and NATURE, with NATURE's share going towards conservation projects. The initiative has partnered with DistroDirect to ensure global distribution of the music, reaching millions of listeners worldwide. The funds raised have supported conservation projects in regions like the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Tropical Andes, empowering local communities to protect endangered species and restore ecosystems.
Gabriel Smales, the Global Programme Director of Sounds Right – UN Live, emphasizes the importance of artists in promoting nature conservation and reconnecting people with the planet. With wildlife populations declining and species facing extinction, the initiative aims to use music and culture to inspire action and raise awareness about environmental issues. Katja Iversen, CEO of the Museum for the United Nations – UN Live, believes that creativity and culture can play a significant role in driving positive change and awakening a collective sense of responsibility towards the planet. By leveraging popular culture like music, Sounds Right aims to engage millions of people and encourage them to take action for the environment.
In a world where the loss of biodiversity is a pressing concern, initiatives like Sounds Right offer a creative and impactful way to address environmental challenges. Through music collaborations that celebrate nature and support conservation efforts, artists like Bien Aime Baraza are using their platform to make a difference. As the project continues to grow and attract more artists from around the world, the hope is to inspire a global movement towards protecting the planet and preserving its natural beauty.