Emmanuel Jal

Emmanuel Jal was born Jal Jok in 1980 in the village of Tonj, Warrap State, Sudan (now South Sudan). The Second Sudanese Civil War profoundly impacted his early life; his mother was killed when he was approximately seven years old, and he subsequently joined thousands of children seeking education in Ethiopia. However, he, like many others, was recruited by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and underwent military training, becoming a child soldier. After several years fighting with the SPLA in Ethiopia and later in Sudan, he and other children escaped, enduring a three-month journey to Waat. There, Emmanuel met British aid worker Emma McCune, who adopted him and brought him to Kenya, where he began attending school in Nairobi.

Following Emma McCune’s death, Emmanuel continued his studies in Nairobi. During this period, he discovered hip-hop music, which became a powerful outlet for expressing his experiences and advocating for political change. He began singing and actively participated in community work, raising funds for street children and refugees. His first single, “All We Need Is Jesus,” gained popularity in Kenya and received airplay in the UK. This led to his debut album, “Gua” (2004), a multilingual fusion of rap in Arabic, English, Swahili, Dinka, and Nuer, which saw its title track become a number one hit in Kenya. His musical journey continued with the release of “Ceasefire” in 2005, a collaborative album with Sudanese Muslim musician Abd El Gadir Salim, symbolizing unity through music. He performed at the Live 8 Concert in Cornwall in 2005 and received a 2005 American Gospel Music Award for best international artist.

Beyond music, Emmanuel Jal is a dedicated activist. He founded Gua Africa, a charity focused on providing education and support to individuals and communities affected by war and poverty in Sudan and Kenya. The charity offers scholarships to Sudanese war survivors in refugee camps and supports education in underserved areas of Nairobi. Notably, Emmanuel initiated a 661-day “Lose to Win” fast from 2008 to 2010 to raise funds for the Emma Academy in Leer, Southern Sudan, named in honor of Emma McCune. He has also been a prominent spokesperson for various campaigns, including Make Poverty History, the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, and the Control Arms campaign.