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When the going gets tough ...
The biggest selling black British artist of all time is adding his voice to the campaign to end slavery
Pop legend Billy Ocean topped the charts in the 1970s and 1980s, selling more than 30 million albums and singles worldwide, with hits including Love Really Hurts Without You, When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going, and Caribbean Queen.
Born on the Caribbean island of Trinidad in 1950, eight-year-old Leslie Sebastian Charles moved with his family to London, where his musical career took off under the name Billy Ocean.
Now he has recorded a new track, Chained, which can be downloaded from the Internet for 79p.
It also features on a newly-launched CD entitled Wilberforce 200.
The tracks have been recorded to commemorate the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, a historic achievement brought about with the help of Hull's most famous son William Wilberforce.
Just 20,000 copies need to be sold to push the single to the top 20 in the charts. And proceeds from the album sales will support community projects in Freetown, Hull's twin city in Sierra Leone, a city originally founded by freed slaves.
Fight for freedom
Slavery is still a major problem around the world today. It is believed 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year, with 80 per cent of victims being female who are forced to work as sex slaves or drug couriers.
In response, recording artists got together to add their voice to the continuing fight for freedom.
The anti-slavery album of soul music also features Junior, Ruby Turner, and Roachford performing 'A Change is Gonna Come', 'You've Got a Friend' and 'Someday We'll Be Free'.
The album project was launched at Hull's Streetlife Museum on October 25 last year. The date coincided with Hull's first ever Freetown Day, established by Hull City Council to promote greater awareness of life in Hull's twin city.
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The single and album are available from major download sites, can be ordered by email Wilberforce@force-7.co.uk or bought from the Hull One World Shop in Waltham Street (Tel: 327727) and Amanda's Blue Orchid at 376 Hessle Road (Tel: 225812).
For more information on the fight for freedom, visit www.wilberforce2007.com and www.antislavery.org
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