They may go unnoticed as we jam to kwaito, soukouss, highlife and bongo flava, but the African Children's Choir is a strong presence whose mission we all need to be in support of. Made up of the most precious of faces and the most delicate of voices, the choir comprises of young African children aged between 7 and 11. Many of them have lost a parent or two to famine and disease, some are HIV positive orphans. They speak different languages and are from various countries around the continent, but they have united in one voice to represent and raise awareness to the issues concerning AIDS orphans from all over Africa. They were recently featured in the "Blood Diamond" movie's soundtrack. They have shared stages with personalities such as Miriam Makeba, Thandiswa Mazwai, Josh Groban, Wyclef Jean, Michael W. Smith to name a few, and have been successful in raising significant funds towards supporting and educating their brothers and sisters throughout the continent.

• View all from What's hardcore
  Album The Dusty foot philosopher
  Artistes K'Naan
  Language English
  Runtime 3:38
  Track # 3
  Video URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0IuUXHBkaw
  Writer K'Naan Warsame
  Year 2005

...the sounds of our time

MOBO's 2006 winners

I was very excited to hear about Batman aka Emmanuel Samini's nomination for best African artiste at the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) awards. I was skeptical about his ability to win the award since he was competing against seasoned African musicians like Lebo Mathosa and Jose Chameleon, as well as the hottest group in Nigeria, P-Square. Batman emerged the winner and this just shows how far he is moving into the international limelight. He got one of the loudest cheers of the night after he said he was from the 'Continent of Black Origin' (COBO).