Musicians have the unique capacity to unite their communities, give a voice to the voiceless, and expose their culture to the world. PeaceTones’ new project, The World United in Song, features 11 original songs and videos from musicians living in refugee camps, post-conflict countries, and in some of the most marginalized regions of the world.

The world’s biggest refugee crisis can be found in Uganda. We desire to share their stories with the world to gain global attention and support for those affected and help gain momentum to stop the conflict. Through Sosolya Dance Academy and Hip Hop Saves Lives’ global hip hop community we have made many connections with different refugee settlements and are currently creating a music album and documentary series with Sudanese refugees living in Uganda.

In our first local project, PeaceTones teamed up with United Roots Oakland to run a pilot project in Oakland, CA, hosting a series of music industry training workshops for the talented artists of DetermiNation Black Men’s Group.

Millions of people live in Nairobi’s shantytowns suffering from high rates of crime, poverty and widespread corruption, but even in these debilitating conditions, art thrives, particularly music.  Musicians possess the power to act as voice boxes for the disenfranchised in a peaceful and productive way, but because music is often a cottage industry in Kenya, musicians are vulnerable to abuse, undue influence, and financial manipulation.