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Ed Sheeran ‘Would Have Declined’ Vocals From 2014 Being Used on Band Aid 40 — But He Wasn’t Asked

Ed Sheeran says he wasn't asked to approve the use of his vocals on the Band Aid 40 version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' and would have declined.

A decade ago, Ed Sheeran joined the British and Irish supergroup Band Aid to cover the charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” The 2014 iteration of the song — which originally premiered in 1989 and was updated in 2004 — also featured One Direction and Sam Smith, among others. The Ghanian-English musician, who revealed that he turned down the offer to participate in the 2014 recording, wrote: “While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa’s economic growth, tourism, and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity.” “In fact, just today Band Aid has given hundreds of thousands of pounds to help those running from the mass slaughter in Sudan and enough cash to feed a further 8,000 children in the same affected areas of Ethiopia as 1984.”

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