Sri Lanka Unites (SLU) will be hosting an online event for the “Beats of One Nation” Season 2 album launch, which will be livestreamed on 23 January at 6:00 p.m.
Headed by Sri Lankan rapper Randhir Witana, who has been volunteering with the Sri Lanka Unites music department for a long time, Beats of a Nation had its very first edition back in 2018. The event’s success was celebrated, and even honoured with a visit by the US Embassy Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Rosenblum, who visited the organising team and the concert participants during a recording session.
The Beats of One Nation concert stands above most live musical events held in and around the island, as it features fresh talent from all corners of Sri Lanka.
Beats of One Nation Project Manager Hakkani Majeed shared that they held auditions in all eight provinces where Sri Lanka Unites has its offices, with 178 contestants participating, from which they shortlisted a total of 19. Once Randhir and his team had their input, seven participants were finalised. Hakkani added that these seven fresh talents they discovered represent all ethnic and religious groups in Sri Lanka.
“The main objective behind this project of Beats of One Nation is to foster unity and harmony amongst all Sri Lankans. Music has the capacity to bring the various communities in Sri Lanka together,” explained Majeed. SLU has ten years of experience with engaging over 3,500 student leaders from all 25 districts at their annual conference, and this has proven to be a great pilot for this theory, he further added.
He stated that young men and women of various backgrounds have had their first positive experience across ethno-religious lines, often as a result of the music and arts section at their conference, and as they look to engage the broader audience across the nation, he shared that they have learned that initiatives such as Beats of One Nation, with celebrity musicians and diverse local talents, will attract a new audience that may not usually attend a reconciliation event, thereby giving them the ability to reach youth who are at a higher risk of engaging in violent extremism.
He also pointed out that it is important to note that in developing countries such as Sri Lanka, parents mainly emphasise on academia and moulding a career for oneself out of traditional choices like commerce, science, medicine, and law. Music and arts are often not options to pursue. “We believe an initiative that helps them experience the possibility of a career in the arts will also have a positive impact on society,” he expressed.
The event will feature the seven finalists performing six original tracks, created entirely for the event, with the music composition courtesy of Ken Lappen Studios and lyrics penned by Chamath Nalaka and Uthpala Maduwanthi. Additionally, audiences can look forward to guest performances by Randhir and The Singing Potatoes.
SLU invites music lovers around the country to tune in on Sunday, and join their fresh young talented artists from across the island who will be accompanied by some of Sri Lanka’s most popular musicians.
PHOTOS © BEATS OF ONE NATION