Born in the village of Tonj in Southern Sudan, he was a little boy when the civil war broke out. Emmanuel’s father joined the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and when he was about seven years old his mother died. Emmanuel then decided to join the thousands of children travelling to Ethiopia who had been told that they could be educated there.
However, many of the children, Emmanuel included, were recruited by the SPLA and taken to military training camps in the bush in Ethiopia. The camp was disguised as a school in front of international aid agencies and UN representatives, but behind closed doors the children were training to fight. Emmanuel spent several years fighting with the SPLA in Ethiopia, until war broke out there too and the child soldiers were forced back into Sudan by the fighting and joined the SPLA's efforts to fight the government in the town of Juba.
When the fighting became unbearable Emmanuel and some other children decided to run away. They were on the move for three months, with many dying on the way, until they reached the town of Waat, which was the headquarter on a small group that had separated themselves from the main SPLA.
In Waat Emmanuel met Emma McCune, a British aid worker married to senior SPLA commandant Riek Machar. Emmanuel was only 11 years old then and Emma insisted he should not be a soldier. She adopted him and smuggled him to Kenya. There Emmanuel attended school in Nairobi. Sadly Emma died in a road accident a few months later, but her friends helped Emmanuel to continue his studies.
While studying in Kenya, Emmanuel started singing to ease the pain of what he has experienced. He also became very active in the community, raising money for local street children and refugees. With the encouragement of those around him, Emmanuel became increasingly involved in music and formed several groups. His first single, "All We Need Is Jesus," was a hit in Kenya and received airplay in the UK.
He went on to produce his first album, Gua, a mix of rap in Arabic, English, Kiswahili, Dinka and Nuer. The title track, also called "Gua", was a number one hit in Kenya and featured on The Rough Guide To The Music Of Sudan and Help: A Day In The Life, bringing together some of Britain’s best known on a CD in aid of children in conflict zones (produced by War Child).
Ceasefire, was released in September 2005 and includes a re-recording of "Gua". This album is a collaboration with the well known Sudanese Muslim musician Abdel Gadir Salim and brings together opposing sides of the conflict, and different music traditions, to a common ground of the wish for peace in Sudan. This album's version of Gua was played on the American television series ER at the very end of the Season 12 episode "There Are No Angels Here" (aired on May 4, 2006).
His most recent album Warchild was released in May 2008, produced by Roachie and Silvastone, with additional production by Neal Pogue (Outkast/Talib Kweli) tells his amazing story of his life as a Child Soldier and his subsequent experiences on arrival to the West.
Emmanuel is a spokesman for the Make Poverty History campaign, the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers and the Control Arms campaign. Among other places he performed at the Live 8 Concert in Cornwall this summer. He was awarded a 2005 American Gospel Music Award for best international artist.
A documentary about Emmanuel Jal and his story is in the works and should be released late 2007/early 2008.
Discography
* Help: A Day In The Life - ? - War Child emmanuel jal has also foundation called Gua Africa ,read about at www.guaafricaonline.com ,listen to tracks of his latest music www.myspace.com he is the next big thing in hip pop.
* Ceasefire - 2005 - Riverboat
*Warchild - 2008 - Sonic360
Stronger
Emmanuel Jal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
in a village by the River where the people was born strong
respected of the fact the place of war torn the people are still strong
life is simple people humble there been oppressor oppress but they over came this kind of struggle
what I love a bout my people that
is in the hard time they will still afford to give you a good smile
that you can see from a mile
when I was a child I used to sleep with my belly facing the sky with my eyes starting at the moon and star star star
What didn't kill me is only make me
Strong, strong
God treat me
Can only make me Nicer nicer
I play to legion to my mother land that I will do everything possible to make stand
yes I can my people have gone through so much this topic I don't want to touch
I was torn broken and left
a lone there were a day that a life was so rough thing became tough and if someone crack a joke I couldn't afford to laugh
believe me this life that I leave is a testimony that put everything in harmony when I goes on my knee demons flew several different way
The force within me stronger than any force that is a gains me watch as I fly to the sky
What didn't kill me is only make me
Strong, strong
God treat me
Can only make me Nicer nicer
What didn't kill me is only make me
Strong, strong
God treat me
Can only make me Nicer nicer
The lyrics of Emmanuel Jal's song "Stronger" depict his origins in Sudan, specifically in the village of Tonj. He takes pride in his people who are strong, despite the fact that the area has been through a lot of conflicts and war. He admires their humility and ability to still find joy in life through the toughest times. As a child, he used to sleep under the sky and marvel at the stars.
Jal is also determined to use his music to uplift his homeland and make it stand. He acknowledges that his people have suffered a lot, and he has also gone through tough times. Despite the hardships, he has found strength and resilience, which has made him the person he is today. He acknowledges that the challenges he has faced have made him a stronger, better person. He is convinced that his faith has played a role in his journey and that God has made him a kinder person.
Overall, the lyrics of the song "Stronger" celebrate the strength, resilience, and determination of the people of Tonj and their ability to find joy in life despite their hardships. It also reflects on Emmanuel Jal's personal journey and how his faith and determination have made him a better person.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in Sudan in a place called tonj
Emmanuel Jal was born in Tonj, a place in Sudan.
in a village by the River where the people was born strong
The village where Emmanuel was born was located near a river, and the people from the village were naturally strong.
respected of the fact the place of war torn the people are still strong
Although the village was affected by war, the people there remained strong and resilient.
life is simple people humble there been oppressor oppress but they over came this kind of struggle
The people in the village lived simple lives and remained humble, despite having experienced oppression. However, they were able to overcome this struggle.
what I love a bout my people that
Emmanuel admires one thing in particular about his people.
is in the hard time they will still afford to give you a good smile
Even in tough times, the people in the village are able to maintain a positive attitude and smile.
that you can see from a mile
Their positive attitudes are so evident that you can see it from a distance.
when I was a child I used to sleep with my belly facing the sky with my eyes starting at the moon and star star star
As a child, Emmanuel used to sleep on his back, staring up at the moon and stars.
(Course)
The chorus of the song begins here.
What didn't kill me is only make me
Adversity and challenges that Emmanuel faced in life did not defeat him, but only made him stronger.
Strong, strong
The word 'strong' is repeated to emphasize Emmanuel's resilience.
God treat me
Emmanuel attributes his strength to his faith in God.
Can only make me Nicer nicer
Adversity has also made Emmanuel a kinder and more compassionate person.
I play to legion to my mother land that I will do everything possible to make stand
Emmanuel is dedicated to serving and supporting his homeland, and will do everything he can to help it thrive.
yes I can my people have gone through so much this topic I don't want to touch
Emmanuel believes in his own ability to make a positive change in spite of the difficult experiences his people have faced.
I was torn broken and left
Emmanuel has experienced moments of feeling broken and abandoned.
a lone there were a day that a life was so rough thing became tough and if someone crack a joke I couldn't afford to laugh
Emmanuel has experienced many hardships, which have made it difficult for him to find joy and laughter in his life.
believe me this life that I leave is a testimony that put everything in harmony when I goes on my knee demons flew several different way
For Emmanuel, his life is a testimony to the power of faith in overcoming darkness and negativity, and that his prayers have the ability to ward off inner demons.
The force within me stronger than any force that is a gains me watch as I fly to the sky
Emmanuel embraces the inner strength that he has developed over time, which has allowed him to rise above adversity and other external forces.
What didn't kill me is only make me
The chorus is repeated to emphasize Emmanuel's message of resilience and strength.
Strong, strong
The word 'strong' is again repeated.
God treat me
Emmanuel continues to attribute his resilience to his faith in God.
Can only make me Nicer nicer
Overcoming adversity has also made Emmanuel a kinder and more compassionate person.
Contributed by Penelope H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@emmanuelaharrison8996
Emmanuel Jal is a real musician whose love of humanity is the theme of most of his songs. Tears can't stop for someone who love humanity. what an amazing song it is! I LOVE IT
@jazzmanize
What I love about my people is that in the hard time they can still afford to give you a good smile,that you can see from a mile. how true!! nice i love this one
@figog360
you are now stronger than ever before and we all are stronger because of what you do and your music. thank you man, we are stronger than ever.
@SuperClaudiamay
Jal's songs are amazingly inspiring !
@annap9310
I love this kind of music......I admire Emmanuel Jal...
@lomozizzle
American rap hip hop artist could take a lesson on humility and what is really important in life from Jal
@aleroemer94
few times I download music legallly... but you can not steal from an artist with such a good intention. Gotta buy his album. Enjoy good music and help his cause
@knaankos
Love it. Great message
@TMayai
Now, the misery is solved. A Tonj kid, you are, and you make us proud. You are a best stature of who we are as Tonjese.
@TvBoner
He is truly inspirational