Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - Friday, 15 October, 2004
The song - We are the drums - is part of an initiative by the United Nations to accelerate the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the year 2015.
Senegalese singer and UNDP Youth Emissary, Baaba Maal says, "for once we're doing something together to make our work as artists much more noble".
The BBC's Africa Live programme asks: Do you think musicians can help alleviate Africa's poverty? Can they stop the spread of HIV/Aids?
What are musicians in your country up to? Do they make good role models or are they a bad influence on society?
Let us know your views by using the form on the right and join the debate on BBC's Africa Live Wednesday, 20 October at 1630 & 1830 GMT.
If you would like to take part in the discussion, include with your telephone number, which will not be published.
This debate has just been published. Read a selection of your comments below.
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African artists, sportsmen and intellectuals used to be the voice of Africa. But of late, they have been swallowed by political activism. We now see musicians, footballers and academics supporting dictatorial and greedy regimes because of financial rewards they are offered in return. They have failed us just like donor agencies. Only God can save Africa. Rexon, Cameroonian in UK
There is no question in my mind that musicians can save Africa. African music is very popular among my generation of young adults. Music by artists like Baka Beyond and Ladysmith Black Mambazo can be found in many music stores. These musicians are building awareness of the struggles African people face. God bless them. Haley Stolp, US
I believe that musicians can, to some extent, influence the behaviour of the society. But they've got to be able to real role models. In some African countries, musicians are among people highly affected by HIV/AIDS. The names of some known musicians are also repeatedly mentioned in cases of drug addiction and alcoholism. Getahun Legesse, Ethiopia
Africa's problem is much bigger than just poverty and HIV/AIDS. To think musicians can save the continent is laughable. African leaders hold the key to saving the continent. Until then, Africa will continue dying slowly. Joe Abey, Cameroonian-USA
Yes they will help in some ways but cannot totally save Africa. The only thing that can save Africa is peoples attitude to sex, and sex education. Ganny O. Ogunshakin, Maryland, USA
I work for West Virginia Public Broadcasting where we produce a radio program called Mountain Stage. We regularly present African artists from around the continent. I personally enjoy music by Habib Koite, Youssou N'Dour, Rokia Traore, among others. If these artists became more vocal in the West, I am confident it would shine a much brighter light on Africa. Presently, Africa is hardly ever discussed among many Americans. Musicians can change that by speaking out against the atrocities that exist in the continent and showing people all over the world how they can help. Music is a universal language that we all speak. James A Muhammad, USA
African Musicians cannot alleviate poverty nor stop spread of HIV/AIDS, but they have a vital role to play in the continent, once their message should be easily heard by the people because they are well known.The fight against AIDS is something that should not be left to one group alone, it needs to involve everybody. So Musicians' contributions can make a little headway. Peter Tuach, USA
Musicians can easily appeal to a larger portion of the population through songs and other musical means. Hence, they are in a better position to bring about positive influence. I believe, if most of the top musicians on the continent came together and produced songs of peace, unity and downplay civil war and other conflicts, the entire continent would begin to sing along and this will influence positive behaviour. Joseoh Harris, Liberian in the USA
African musicians aggravate the spread of HIV/AIDS by attracting youths to the music and practice more sex. Music doesn't either decrease poverty, but you can forget eating when you are in a nightclub. African music is an attractive tool to HIV/AIDS. Thabor Deng Ding, Sudanese/USA
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