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US Hip Hop Music stars visit Sierra Leone for VH1 documentary on diamond trade and development10-07-2006
Sierra Leone was their only stop in Africa. In Freetown and Kono, these hip-hop celebrities met local musicians, mining communities, government officials and children affected by war. They heard first-hand accounts of the trauma of war and how Sierra Leoneans are rebuilding their country and their lives. By chronicling their visit, the producers - Article 19 Films in association with VH1 and the UNDP - showed how hip-hop culture has penetrated every crevice of the globe, binding youth despite language, religion or race. The film is expected to premiere on VH1 in early 2007. Most of West Africa’s diamonds come from alluvial mining. Individual miners exploit gravel beds lying on or near the surface. They often have no alternative employment opportunities, use low cost, simple tools, and work in sub-standard conditions. According to International Alert, diggers working in these pits produce more than 90 percent of West Africa’s diamond output. This is worth between US $240 million and $300 million per year. Many human rights and development organizations believe that diamonds can play a positive role in economic development. That’s why UNDP’s Diamonds for Development programme focuses on the human dimension of the diamond industry. It complements the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, launched in 2003 to ensure that diamonds are conflict free; the Diamond Development Initiative; Peace Diamonds Alliance and Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative. In the US, ‘Bling’ will
capture Kanye West, Jadakiss
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Paul Wall, Wu Tang Clan’s
Raekwon, and reggaetón king Tego Calderon made a four-day visit to Sierra
Leone from 10-14 July 2006, for the filming of “Bling: A Planet Rock”, a
hard-hitting look at Sierra Leone’s diamond trade and how “blinging” in
the fishy world of commercial hip-hop played a role in the country’s civil
war.
as well as other luminaries weighing in on
how hip-hop can redefine the diamond culture. Along with their insight,
the film will be interspersed with testimonials, factoids and graphic
images of those directly affected by the diamond trade. ‘Bling’ will
capture hip-hop’s reaction to Sierra Leone’s history, bring global
awareness to this issue and educate Americans about how they can play a
role in eradicating the smuggling of diamonds simply by becoming conscious
consumers and responsible global citizens by demanding ‘clean’ diamonds.