South Sudan: Emmanuel Jal, Nyaruach up for Juno award

The two South Sudanese artists have been nominated in the World Music Album of the Year category for their joint 2018 album Naath (Humans).

According to the awards' website, the nominations reflect a diverse blend of established and emerging artists across the music industry in Canada. Jal has been based in Canada since 2013 and receives the nomination alongside his countrywoman who has been living at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.

Jal told Music In Africa that he was both excited and thankful for the recognition.

“We were just doing a simple album to awaken and keep our culture alive, for many of us who are refugees all over the world,” he said.

“This is the second time I am being nominated at the Junos. As for this album, it received a lot of love across the globe and went on to top the charts on different platforms. It’s an amazing feeling when your work is recognised in a very competitive industry.”

Jal says many of Naath's themes were inspired by his life as a refugee and meant to encourage those in refugee camps to be optimistic about life.

“Nyaruach, who is my sister, is a refugee at Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. I am a refugee in Canada. Naath carries mixed emotions but mostly a lot of flashbacks of my childhood experiences as an ex-child soldier.”

He said the recording and production of the album were sponsored by music fans from around world.

“I am so grateful to all the people who funded the album on the PledgeMusic platform and I am grateful to the judges and Canada in general for giving us this recognition,” Jal said.