Winnipeg producer pens African AIDS benefit single

A Winnipeg music producer has enlisted some of his industry friends for a new benefit single to raise awareness of the continuing AIDS pandemic in Africa.

In the vein of hit musical benefit projects like Live Aid and Band Aid, Winnipeg producer Darcy Ataman hopes that his new tune A Song for Africa will raise funds for African AIDS relief.

More than 40 million people around the world are currently living with HIV or AIDS, about two-thirds of them in Africa.

"It's just the sheer volume of what is happening over there. It's [that] the number is so huge. I don't think people can fathom it," Ataman told CBC News Wednesday, as he finished recording and mixing the song.

The number of people affected by the deadly virus far surpasses the death toll of the Sept. 11 attacks, Ataman noted.

"I don't think people can fathom it. It's two or three 9/11s every day," he said. "I think [the number of people affected] is hard for most humans to soak in."

Rapper Choclair, Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar and singers jacksoul and Luke McMaster are among the Canadian artists participating in the project.

One of the main goals for the musicians is to reach and inform the younger generation.

"I just think it's important to use these vehicles, these pop culture vehicles, to just help people, and educate people and let them know what is going on," said Danny Greaves, lead singer of the Watchmen.

A Song for Africa is scheduled to hit music stands in early summer, with funds earmarked for CARE Canada, the anti-poverty humanitarian organization.

An accompanying music video is also set to premiere during the World AIDS Conference, which runs Aug. 13 to 18 in Toronto.