Next week, a 40th anniversary version of Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” will be released. The new remix, produced by Trevor Horn, combines elements of the original hit and its remakes from 2004 and 2014. Band Aid 40 features Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Sinead O’Connor, Sam Smith, One Direction, Rita Ora, Boy George, George Michael, Sam Smith, the Sugababes, Bono, Thom Yorke, Paul McCartney, and more. However, Sheeran made a post today saying he would have declined the use of his vocals if he was asked permission.

“My approval wasn’t sought on this new Band Aid 40 release,” the singer wrote. “Had I had the choice I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals. A decade on and my understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed.” Sheeran referred to Fuse ODG’s criticism of Band Aid: “I refused to participate in Band Aid because I recognised the harm initiatives like it inflict on Africa,” the British-Ghanaian rapper explained on social media.

“While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa’s economic growth, tourism, and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity,” he continued.

Bob Geldof, who wrote the original 1984 tune with Midge Ure, recently offered a response to similar criticism:

This little pop song has kept hundreds of thousands if not millions of people alive. In fact just today Band Aid has given hundreds of thousands of pounds to help those running from the mass slaughter in Sudan and enough cash to feed a further 8,000 children in the same affected areas of Ethiopia as 1984. Those exhausted women who weren’t raped and killed and their panicked children and any male over 10 who survived the massacres and those 8,000 Tigrayan children will sleep safer, warmer and cared for tonight because of that miraculous little record. We wish that it were other but it isn’t. “Colonial tropes” my arse.

“Bob’s put a call in to Ed,” a source associated with Band Aid tells NME “He thinks he’s a great bloke and a major talent. They’ll work it out.”

Ed Sheeran says his “approval wasn’t sought” on the 40th-anniversary mix of Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”. He said: “I would’ve respectfully declined. A decade on and my understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed, eloquently explained by @FuseODG” pic.twitter.com/Qxo23igHjU

— Dionne Grant (@DionneGrant) November 18, 2024