Stars unite in solidarity: Inside Mustafa the Poet’s Artists For Aid London concert for Gaza and Sudan
Artists for Aid’s star-studded concert in East London united top performers in solidarity for Gaza and Sudan, raising over £230,000 for humanitarian relief.
Last week, East London’s Troxy was filled with solidarity for Gaza and Sudan as Artists for Aid hosted a star-studded fundraising concert.
The event drew around 3,000 passionate supporters, with all proceeds dedicated to War Child UK’s humanitarian response plan in Gaza and Sudan.
Artists for Aid, a humanitarian aid collective founded by Sudanese-Canadian singer-songwriter Mustafa, known as Mustafa the Poet on social media, aims to bring together young artists and musicians to create moments of solidarity for those in critical need.
The collective raised over £230,000 from the one-night-only benefit concert, according to the venue.
Headliners included Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Caesar, Egyptian-American comedian Ramy Youssef, and British singer-songwriter FKA twigs, who took to the stage in the name of “freedom” and “humanity.”
“The one constant that flows in both nations is hope, and it is our responsibility in the comfort and space and contradiction that we’re living in, to share that hope with them,” Mustafa said as he introduced the evening.
The current war in Gaza has claimed over 38,584 Palestinian lives. The Sudan crisis, which began in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has resulted in up to 150,000 deaths, based on estimates shared by US envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello.
As performers highlighted the sombre reality of human suffering, they used their art and creativity as a vehicle for solidarity.
Human-centered performances lit up London’s Troxy
The concert began with a chilling collaboration between Palestinian Sound Researcher Bint Mbareh and the Palestinian Choir Makharej Al-Hurouf.
Bint Mbareh addressed the “dehumanisation” of Palestinian and Sudanese populations, highlighting Israeli rhetoric that deems Palestinians as “human animals.”
Bint shared her thoughts on stage, saying, “What I wish for my Sudanese brothers and sisters… and my Palestinian people, is to never yearn for that kind of humanisation that is based on exclusion, and that what we turn to instead is our kin in nature… rather than yearning for this medal to be called a human by a dehumanising system.”
Sudanese-American poet Safia Elhillo also delivered a powerful performance, reading a raw and painful piece on the “cruelty” of dehumanisation.
Her poem resonated with the audience:
When Grammy Award winner Daniel Caesar took the stage, the crowd enthusiastically sang along to his hit singles Best Part and Get You, creating a harmonious and captivating atmosphere.
Daniel expressed his pride in being part of the concert, with Mustafa highlighting his significant role in the creation of Artists for Aid.
“This is the friend that I consulted before anyone else for Artists for Aid, and it was because of our companionship that I had the motivation to organise this,” Mustafa said.
Mustafa also performed an a cappella version of his song Gaza is Calling, which was released on June 11.
Fans were thrilled to see Palestinian-Dutch supermodel Bella Hadid feature in the music video for the single, applauding the duo’s efforts to raise awareness for Palestine.
Golden Globe award-winning comedian Ramy Youssef brought a comedic touch to the evening, sharing gags and anecdotes. He described the experience as “surreal,” given his background in the entertainment industry.
“This is a crazy cultural moment in history, the amount of artists that we have here for Sudan and Palestine… it’s like what? Most people don’t want to talk about stuff… artists famously. We’re in a totally different era. This is amazing,” he said, telling the audience he was “taking it all in.”
Other performers that evening included Clairo, Yasiin Bey, King Krule, Earl Sweatshirt, Nicolas Jaar, and Blood Orange, each contributing to a memorable night of solidarity and support for Gaza and Sudan.
Existing is ‘Radical’
Despite the overwhelming solidarity at the Troxy, Mustafa revealed that bringing the Artists for Aid experience to London was challenging.
He struggled to find a venue willing to host the event due to his use of the words ‘Palestine’ and ‘Gaza.’
“When I was searching for a venue in London, most of the venues rejected me because they didn’t want me to use the words Palestine or Gaza.
“They were rejecting someone’s home. I don’t even know how it is that someone wanting to just exist and be in a space could be so radical,” he shared.
A safe space for those who care
As the night went on, there was a strong feeling of empathy for people suffering and a deep desire for more safe places that support human rights.
More than 50 students who had been protesting for divestment from Israel were invited to the concert for free. Mustafa praised them for their commitment despite threats to their education and freedom, which got applause from the crowd.
People at the concert talked about how good it felt to be around others who cared about the same things they did.
“The concert felt really good. I liked the mix of poetry, music, and the support… It was great to see this in London with so many people. Knowing I was with people who cared made me feel safe,” said Nour, who came from the Midlands.
“It’s nice to see popular artists like Daniel Caesar taking a stand and not being afraid to speak up. And it was touching to see Arab artists like bentembari7 on stage. Their performance gave me chills!” she added.
Nour’s thoughts were shared by many others who said the concert was “unforgettable” and a “real show of support.”
“It was inspiring and nice to see such a big and diverse group coming together for Sudan and Palestine. The unity and passion were strong, reminding us how powerful it is when people come together,” said Aya to The New Arab.
After a night of performances focused on people, chants for a “Free Palestine” filled the venue and the halls as people left, smiling and feeling empowered, full of hope and support for the causes they care about.
Aisha Aldris is a London-based journalist who writes on social and humanitarian issues alongside culture and the arts
Follow her on Twitter: @aishaaldris
