Alaine, Da’Ville join Tyler Perry’s #HesGotTheWholeWorldChallenge
Published:Wednesday | March 25, 2020 | 12:00 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
Although it is the preferred domain of trolls and other undesirables, more than ever, social media, along with the array of online platforms, has become the go-to space for everything, and in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, creatives are taking over and making their voices resound with positivity. World-renowned producer, director, actor, screenwriter, playwright, author, songwriter, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Tyler Perry, on Sunday launched the #HesGotTheWholeWorldChallenge, which could become the online collab of the year, similar to the iconic 1985, many-voices single, ‘ We Are The World’.
“Alright, how about something to make us feel a little better. I’m gonna start this song, and want y’all to add to it. All the musicians out there. All the singers. Change the key. Take it up. It’s my hope that we add to this simple song in every language from every nation as we let it become a prayer for our whole world! God bless you today. And remember it’s all in God’s hands!” posted Perry, who then unveiled his hitherto hidden chops.
He also tagged a few of his talented friends, including Fantasia, Yolanda Adams, Karen Clark Sheard, David Mann, Johnny Gill, Jencarlos, Tamela Mann and Bishop Paul S. Morton, who all participated in the social media singalong challenge. Other singers, and regular folk, around the world, including Jamaica, have since accepted the challenge to send the traditional African-American spiritual around the globe, and lift spirits that are broken, fearful and confused.
For reggae singer Alaine, responding to the challenge was a no-brainer, and, following instructions posted by Perry, she even spiced up her version with a little Jamaican Patois, “Fada yuh got di whole-a we, di whole-a we, in your hands, yuh got di whole wide world in your hands.” She shared with The Gleaner that she accepted the challenge because she needed it.
“I needed to hear myself say, ‘God’s got the whole world in His hands’, and absorb it into my soul. It’s really important for us to be intentional about the words that we speak and the posts that we make. In this world climate, where we are constantly bombarded with bad news or fake news, it’s important for me to be a part of the good news.”
Immediately, some good vibrations sprang from Alaine’s a cappella video. A producer from the other side of the world, Uganda, saw it and added a piano track, enriching the sound and Alaine’s life.
“It was such a happy surprise. It also solidified the fact that we are one world all in this together. From Jamaica to Uganda to every country in the world, God has us in His hands,” she said.
Dancehall and reggae artiste, Da’Ville, in response to being tagged by a few fans, fully embraced the challenge, and posted his video on social media, along with the caption, ‘Thanks for doing this, it would be great to see some of my other brothers help keep this going’. His vision, he told The Gleaner, “is to help spread some hope, peace and love during this time”.
He added, “We have to remember that God is not done with us yet. We need to refocus our energy to The One who controls all things, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Tyler Perry, whose Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea’s Family Reunion were huge box office hits, describes himself as a Christian and has declared in the past the he “writes from a point of view with my faith being always present and always there”.
Cuban-American singer, songwriter and actor Jencarlos Canela, in paying tribute to Perry, stated, “My brother @tylerperry invited me to be a part of this challenge with the purpose of spreading some love and light through music! I love you man!! Thank you for doing this, for caring, for having such kind and giving mindset and for including us all!”
Perry’s Instagram post has amassed 1.4 million views and almost 27 thousand comments.