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Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars's Page
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars are a group of musicians who escaped the horrific violence of Sierra Leone's civil war, landed in a West African refugee camp and formed a band to keep their spirits up and their hopes alive. From these humble beginnings the band has now grown to be an international musical sensation. Their can't help but dance live shows and their musical message have earned them devoted fans around the world. They've known the horrors of war firsthand and have become ambassadors of peace. An unbelievable testament to the human spirit, the journey of Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars exemplifies the universal healing power of music.
Near the turn of the 21st century, rebel forces attacked Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone, forcing a panicked mass exodus to neighboring countries. Among the thousands who fled were musicians and future band mates Reuben Koroma and Francis Lamgba (Franco) who connected in a refugee camp in Guinea, West Africa. Along with Reuben’s wife Grace they began making music for their fellow refugees, providing a welcome distraction to life in the camps. Safety in the Kalia camp quickly disintegrated, however, when it came under attack from the Guinean army and citizenry. The refugees in this camp were evacuated and relocated to a camp set deep in the remote Guinean countryside. It was here that, thanks to a Canadian refugee aid organization, the developing band was able to acquire the rusted-out sound system and beat up electric guitars that helped officially launch the group.
It was also in this camp that American documentary filmmakers Banker White and Zach Niles along with Canadian singer-songwriter Chris Velan encountered the group, which by that point also included Black Nature, a teenaged orphan with a gift for rap, as well as Abdulrahim Kamara (Arahim) and Mohamed Bangura (Medo), both of whom had had limbs amputated by the rebels. The first-time filmmakers followed the band for three years as they moved from camp to camp. While filming, the United Nations sponsored a trip for the group to return to Freetown so they could see for themselves that the war was indeed over and safe for thousands of refugees to return home. As part of the trip, the UNHCR offered the band the opportunity to make their first studio recordings, which led to leader Reuben Koroma uniting the core group from the refugee camp with his former band mates, The Emperors, many of whom had remained in Freetown during the war. Together they recorded their debut album as Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars. The current touring lineup features members of both entities.
ABOUT THE BAND
Television
The Oprah Winfrey Show
CNN International
PBS TV
CBS Sunday Morning
"Black Nature" featured on MTV’s "Cause Effect"
Film
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
Blood Diamond
Has Performed at:
NYC Central Park Summerstage
Bonnaroo
Fuji Rock in Japan
East Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Australia
World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
NPR’s World Café
South by Southwest
Discography
Living Like a Refugee
Positive Revolution-The B-Sides
Featured on:
In The Name Of Love:
Africa Celebrates U2
Instant Karma:
The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur
Near the turn of the 21st century, rebel forces attacked Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone, forcing a panicked mass exodus to neighboring countries. Among the thousands who fled were musicians and future band mates Reuben Koroma and Francis Lamgba (Franco) who connected in a refugee camp in Guinea, West Africa. Along with Reuben’s wife Grace they began making music for their fellow refugees, providing a welcome distraction to life in the camps. Safety in the Kalia camp quickly disintegrated, however, when it came under attack from the Guinean army and citizenry. The refugees in this camp were evacuated and relocated to a camp set deep in the remote Guinean countryside. It was here that, thanks to a Canadian refugee aid organization, the developing band was able to acquire the rusted-out sound system and beat up electric guitars that helped officially launch the group.
It was also in this camp that American documentary filmmakers Banker White and Zach Niles along with Canadian singer-songwriter Chris Velan encountered the group, which by that point also included Black Nature, a teenaged orphan with a gift for rap, as well as Abdulrahim Kamara (Arahim) and Mohamed Bangura (Medo), both of whom had had limbs amputated by the rebels. The first-time filmmakers followed the band for three years as they moved from camp to camp. While filming, the United Nations sponsored a trip for the group to return to Freetown so they could see for themselves that the war was indeed over and safe for thousands of refugees to return home. As part of the trip, the UNHCR offered the band the opportunity to make their first studio recordings, which led to leader Reuben Koroma uniting the core group from the refugee camp with his former band mates, The Emperors, many of whom had remained in Freetown during the war. Together they recorded their debut album as Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars. The current touring lineup features members of both entities.
ABOUT THE BAND
Television
The Oprah Winfrey Show
CNN International
PBS TV
CBS Sunday Morning
"Black Nature" featured on MTV’s "Cause Effect"
Film
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
Blood Diamond
Has Performed at:
NYC Central Park Summerstage
Bonnaroo
Fuji Rock in Japan
East Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Australia
World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
NPR’s World Café
South by Southwest
Discography
Living Like a Refugee
Positive Revolution-The B-Sides
Featured on:
In The Name Of Love:
Africa Celebrates U2
Instant Karma:
The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars's Photos
Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars's Videos
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Hello.
My name is franka i saw your profile today at refugeeallstars-audience.fm and i love it also became intrested in you,i will also like to know you more,and i want you to send an email directely to my email address so i can reply your mail and also give you my picture for you to know whom i am.Here is my email address(frankadavids@yahoo.com) i believe we can move from here.my love distance or colour does not matter but love matters alot in life.i waiting to recive your
lovely reply soon, Yours
Love.
Miss franka.
I like your feeling!
thank you!