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waalm · 3 years ago

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KATE TODD: A VOICE FOR HUMANITY

The United Nations' General Assembly proclaimed 20 February as World Day of Social Justice and Equality in 2007, inviting Member States to devote the day to promoting national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development.

Observance of World Day of Social Justice and Equality should support efforts of the international community in gender equity, access to social well-being , poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and decent work and justice for all.

Social Justice and Equality are the underlying principles for 'peaceful and prosperous coexistence' within and among nations. We uphold the principles of social justice and equality when we promote gender 'equality' or the 'rights of indigenous peoples' and 'migrants'. We advance social justice and equality when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.

To highlight UN's World Day of Social Justice and Equality, The World Academy of Arts, Literature and Media (WAALM), in association with Music Mentor Productions published 'To Whom It May Concern', a message song written by Mosi Dorbayani, voiced by multitalented artist, Kate Todd, actress/singer/songwriter.

This beautiful piece which is arranged by Amarita and mastered to perfection by Peter Linseman, was originally released in 2017, and since then it is regularly referred to by supporters of this annual observation.

To review this impactful project, we invited Kate Todd for an interview, followed by sharing some reports on its worldwide achievements.

WT: For those who get to know you for the first time, how did it all start for you? How did you enter the world of music?

KT: Music was always playing in our household. My grandmother was the choirmaster at church and played multiple instruments. My love and appreciation of music started there. I began playing the piano at the age of 8. I picked up the guitar when I was cast as musician ‘Lily/Shady Lane’ on the TV show 'Radio Free Roscoe.’ During that time I turned my focus to the guitar and began to write songs in my trailer on set. After the show ended, I continued my musical journey writing, performing and recording albums and ultimately went on to complete my Bachelor of Music degree from York University in Toronto, Canada.

WT: What is music to you?

KT: Music is a universal language. It has the ability to connect and transcend. It stimulates social-emotional understanding. It heals by helping us to understand and release emotions. Music is what makes us human.

WT: You are also an accomplished actress in your own rights. How do you perceive yourself – a singer who can act, or an actress who can sing?

KT: I perceive myself as someone who is a lifelong student of the arts. Music and acting have continually intertwined throughout my career starting with my first role as a singer/songwriter ‘Lily Randall’ on ‘Radio Free Roscoe.’ My acting background offers a deep sense of empathy and understanding of the lyrics I sing. Studying music taught the importance of the space between the notes. I began to realize how much that concept overlaps with acting - breathing through transitions, connecting to your intentions to evoke an authentic emotional performance.

WT: While attending high school you tutored French and gained you compulsory community service hours traveling to local schools addressing students on the issues of bullying. Several years later, you lent your talent and became the voice of Canada for one of the biggest musical projects for humanity in the world, the song, ‘Walk in Style’ – a message song to victims of bullying. What made you care for that subject matter?

KT: I believe that everyone deserves to be treated with respect. No one is above another and everyone is entitled to feel safe to be themselves. I love the line: ‘Be a victor and not a victim’ from ‘Walk in Style.’ It gives hope to those being affected by bullying and promotes a very strong message for others to embrace their uniqueness, be positive and to hold onto their values through tough times.

WT: In 2011, you were the spokesperson for The Alliance Against Modern Slavery at York University in Toronto, a non-profit organization seeking to combat human trafficking through partnerships, education, and research. But your activism did not end there, and in 2017 you recorded ‘To Whom It May Concern’, a message song written by your fellow Canadian songwriter, Mosi Dorbayani – highlighting the United Nations’ International Day of Social Justice and Equality. Tell us about your memories recording that song, and how it resonated with you?

KT: It was an honor to collaborate with the talented Mosi Dorbayani once again for the United Nations International Day of Social Justice. I recorded the vocals on ‘To Whom It May Concern’ in Toronto, ON with producer Peter Linseman at his studio. We felt we were recording a very special song. The lyrical sentiments resonated as the writings promoted the importance of empathy and encouraged people to unite and recognize that we are all one.

WT: As a responsible artist, you have always answered the calls for recording songs for causes close to your heart – songs that are socially conscious. Of course such non-profit and charitable projects in nature, are targeting the society differently than those typical commercial releases. Mosi, your collaborating songwriter, in his award-winning book ‘Message Song’ states: "Delivering message songs is a great responsibility. Your voice may become the voice of those voiceless, and your words, the words of those inarticulate". Here are the questions: A) What made you become a responsible artist? And B) What did you learn, or experienced along the way by recording those songs, which you may want to share with readers or other artists?

KT: I’ve always felt compelled to write and perform music that uplifts and inspires others. I was taught to treat others with respect, love one another and to spread positivity. When I was approached by WAALM with these songs, I was excited to take part as it aligns with my personal value system.

When performing the songs from WAALM, I found myself inspired by the lyrics as I sang them. Subsequently, every time that I listen back to the songs there are different lines that grab my attention. There are so many great passages found in these works. They are socially conscious songs for the ages - something you can listen to everyday and take away a different message of inspiration.

WT: Thank you for attending this interview, and for lending your voice and talent to this cause.

KT: My pleasure

Now, let us share you with more insights on this project, and see how impactful this song and collaboration was so far.

As it is known to many, Mosi Dorbayani, the songwriter for this project, is an Expert Member of The Academic Council on the United Nations System, who also has consultative roles with many UN affiliated organizations. As an Economist and Public Diplomacy adviser, he is often sought after by both private and governmental agencies.

On 'social equality', and on this project Mosi says:

"Perhaps the core issue in almost every society is with the ‘equal opportunity’. Some reserve opportunities for themselves and for their closest ones, with limited or no regards for others. In many cases, certain figures and societies do not see themselves as part of the fabric for a larger society. Everybody has a dream, dream for a better opportunity, for a better tomorrow. But sadly many believe, facilitating dreams of others to turn into reality, may reduce chances for their own dreams come true. They are prepared to allow jealously, greed, and act of inhumanity take over, and let others’ dreams crumble –at the expense of achieving one exclusively for themselves. As for the song, my technical approach in writing this message song and its melody was similar to the previously shared socially conscious songs. But this time, I decided to make it sound as if I am writing a heartfelt letter to all the mankind across the globe –hence the title ‘To Whom It May Concern’. I tried to voice my concerns metaphorically in form of a ‘letter song’ - deliberately mentioning and reminding listeners of ‘human values’. And of course nobody could have done it as beautiful as Kate Todd. She is one my favorite voices of all time."

Thanks to WAALM's project management operation model, the project reached out to fives continents. Most number of engagements by region are from:

- North America: 40%

- South America: 20%

- Europe: 20%

- Asia: 15%

- Africa: 5%

With 1.2 million FREE streams (including SoundCloud); FM/AM Broadcast to 900,000,000 listeners around the globe, 150,000 song shares via email attachment to organizations/institutions/schools, and 99% Positive vote on its impact, this is considered as one of the most influential message songs in recent decades.

Few months ago, during a collaborative seminar at the UN in Geneva, 'To Whom It May Concern', was shared with the attendees (both in person and online around the world) during which, the song made available for free - facilitating the message gets across to over 700,000 on SoundCloud platform. Currently, To Whom It May Concern' is standing at 2nd place behind 'Hopes in Chain' –another message song also written by Mosi Dorbayani.

'To Whom It May Concern' is not only one of the most outreached message songs in the world, but also by far it is one of Kate's most listened to songs of all time.

But of course its impact and contribution to the world and humanity does not end there!

This project also contributed to education and research. Researchers at WAALM School of Cultural Diplomacy - SCD, wanted to know if young non-native English speakers with drawing skills could understand the theme/message of the song, and if their imagination after listening to its audio, could project the same message.

And of course the results were astonishing. In most cases, the young drawing artists could capture the essence of the message visually very well.

Drawing the song by: Rumi Das - Impression of the artist from listening to the message song -'To Whom It May Concern'

Drawing the song by: Iqbal Ali - Impression of the artist from listening to the message song -'To Whom It May Concern'

The project also created a platform for discussion and dialogue across the social media pages and communities with over 100,000 followers, and it captured the attention of several journals and major news organizations.

Thanks to responsible radio stations and show producers with heart of gold, from the North West Coast of England, to South Florida, USA – To Whom It May Concern, is a letter song to humanity, being sent over the radio waves to millions across the globe.

Follow and Listen to Kate Todd on Spotify:

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Kate Todd Mosi Dorbayani

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