Sinead O'Conner, Ali Shaheed, Mary J. Combat Sexual Exploitation/Human Trafficking
A Tribe Called Quest member/producer DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad has teamed with Mary J. Blige, Sinead O’Conner and new singer Martha B. to raise awareness about American girls who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Muhammad produced the Sinead O’Conner penned the song “This is To Mother You,” which features O’Conner, Mary J. Blige and Martha B.
Proceeds of the track will benefit GEMS, the nation’s largest non-profit dedicated towards empowering young women between the ages of 12-21, who have been victims of sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking.
“Until I worked on this project, I had no idea that this kind of thing happens in our country,” Muhammad told AllHipHop.com in a statement. “Where girls as young as 10 and 11 are sold on the streets night after night. It’s the kind of thing that you think only happens in third world countries. As a member of the Hip-Hop community, an industry which glorifies pimp culture, I felt compelled to do my part in supporting an organization which services and empowers these girls.”
Muhammad co- produced the track along with Martin “Doc” McKinney (Kelis, Esthero and Santigold) and Paul Hecht (Red Hot Organization).
“It was also exciting to work with really legendary and iconic women such as Sinead and Mary J. who donated their time and voices for the Girls are Not For Sale campaign. And especially newcomer Martha B. who is a child trafficking survivor,” added Muhammad.
The news of the track comes as the world mourns the death of a 5-year-old in Fayetteville, North Carolina named Shaniya Davis.
Davis’ mother, 25-year-old Antoinette Davis, is charged with prostituting the child, whose body was found yesterday (November 16) by authorities.
Davis is charged with human trafficking and felony child abuse, because authorities believe Shaniya was offered for sex.
Also charged in the case is Mario Andrette McNeill, 29, who was captured carrying the girl on surveillance footage captured in a local hotel.
“This is to Mother You” will be released on December 2, 2009, The International Day to Abolish Slavery.
