Ed Sheeran says Band Aid are using his voice without permission on new mixtape

Last week, supergroup Band Aid – organized by Ultravox's Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure – announced they would be releasing an “absolute mix” of festive charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' for its 40th anniversary. The new release will feature vocals from the four recorded versions from 1984, 1989, 2004 and 2014, including touches from Bono, George Michael, Harry Styles (as part of One Direction) and more.

Ed Sheeran, who performed on the 2014 version of the single alongside Coldplay, Sam Smith, Rita Ora and more, has since said his vocals were used without his permission in the latest remix.

Writing on it Instagram storiessaid Sheeran, “My approval was not sought on this new Band Aid 40 release,” Sheeran said. “If I had the choice, I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals.”

He added: “A decade later and my understanding of the narrative associated with it has changed, eloquently explained by @fuseodg. This is just my personal stance, hopefully forward looking. Love to all x.”

Sheeran quoted a post by Ghanaian-English afrobeats musician Fuse ODG, who says he refused to take part in the 2014 edition of Band Aid 30. “I refused to take part in Band Aid because I recognized the damage that initiatives like this do in Africa” , he he wrote.

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

He continued, “By projecting dehumanizing images, these initiatives fuel pity instead of cooperation, discouraging meaningful engagement. My mission was to reclaim the narrative, empowering Africans to tell their own stories, redefine their identity and position Africa as a thriving hub for investment and tourism.”

“Today, the diaspora is driving the biggest capital back to the continent, not Band Aid or foreign aid, on the premise that Africa's solutions and progress are in its hands.”

The song was first released in 1984 after a report from BBC in famine in Ethiopia, but has since been criticized as an example of a white savior narrative on issues in Africa. Moky Makura, executive director of the non-profit organization Africa No Filter writing at The Guardian that “[Live Aid’s] The portrayal of Africa sparked the birth of a support industry whose mission was to 'save Africa'.

Over the weekend, Geldof responded to a report by New Zealand's 1 News. “That little pop song has kept hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people alive,” he said.

“In fact, just today Band Aid has given hundreds of thousands of pounds to help those fleeing mass slaughter in Sudan and enough cash to feed another 8,000 children in the same affected areas of Ethiopia as in 1984.

“Those exhausted women who were not raped and murdered and their panicked children and every male over the age of 10 who survived the massacres and those 8,000 Tigrayan children will sleep safer, warmer and more cared for tonight because of this miraculous little archive .

“I wish it was different, but it isn't. 'Colonial tropes,' my bundle.”

Bulletin board Band Aid has been contacted for comment.