The duo have recorded a cover of the song with all proceeds going to Lajee Centre, Aida Refugee Camp in the occupied West Bank, Palestine.
Jamie Fox and Maykay aka Fight Like Apes have recorded Sinéad O’Connor’s ‘Black Boys On Mopeds’, originally released on her second album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got in 1990. They say it will be the last recording from the band.
All proceeds of this release will be donated to Lajee Centre, Aida Refugee Camp, Occupied West Bank, Palestine.
MayKay is a member of Irish Artists for Palestine – a small collective of Irish artists advocating for Palestinian freedom through solidarity, activism and fundraising initiatives, and she spoke to us last year about visiting Palestine.
If you wish to make a further donation link here https://lajee.org/donate/
This song will be performed live at the Fight Like Apes show at The Olympia Theatre on April 6th.
The IAFP call out says “This St. Patrick’s Day, Irish Artists for Palestine invites artists at home and abroad to use our platforms, big and small, to send a global message of solidarity to Palestine. As we organise, parade, and perform all over the world, let us take this opportunity to unite in a global call to end the genocide in Gaza.”
‘I was in Aida refugee camp in the Occupied West Bank of Palestine when I heard Sinéad O’Connor had died. There was no-one there that didn’t know who she was and why she was so important. We had a sing song late into that night on the roof, Irish people singing Sinéad songs, Palestinian people singing beautiful folk songs in arabic. Back when she released this song in 1990, like most things she did, it was so brave to speak the way she did. Truly brave. She was mocked, ostracised, shamed.
These are dangerous days, to say what you feel is to make your own grave”
Because of her and her relentless energy for speaking truth to power, it’s not dangerous these days for people like us to speak out. She paved the way.
We owe this to her.
MayKay
‘It’s very sad that this song is as, if not more, relevant today as it was when was released 34 years ago. Black boys on Mopeds is a prayer for shared humanity, a prayer from Sinéad that her child wouldn’t have to live in a world that was unjust and devoid of compassion. If you don’t want to play our version, play Sinéad’s version and listen.’
Jamie Fox
All proceeds will go directly to Lajee Centre, Aida Refugee Camp in the Occupied West Bank, an organisation that is working to help the people of Palestine.
If you wish to make a further donation link visit the Lajee Centre.
