Last September, Jamaican police reported an increase in the trafficking of children for illegal work. That news angered people like singer Lady Ele, an advocate for the protection of vulnerable youth.

The Swedish artiste, who lives in Jamaica, continues that quest on The Children, her latest song which was released in May, celebrated globally as Child Month.

It is produced by Sean Diedrick.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Lady Ele spoke about her concerns, which include, “the trafficking of children, the lack of education, and therefore a chance to evolve and develop further mentally”.

The Children was originally written by Wilsam Janis of Haiti. Lady Ele recorded a rewritten version by Nathalia, an Italian songwriter-based in Los Angeles.

It is her latest collaboration with Diedrick, who played keyboards on Grammy-winning albums by Damian Marley and Sean Paul. Along with Brian Kennedy, he co-produced After 8, her 2020 album.

Eight months ago, detective inspector Kimesha Gordon of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Vice Squad, disclosed that many children from broken homes have been lured into places of ill repute in the 14 parishes. She said they were victims of a growing human trafficking ring in Jamaica.

Lady Ele was born to a Tunisian father and Swedish mother in Stockholm. Her country’s liberal attitude to immigration meant she was raised in a diverse society that included Africans, South Americans and West Indians.

While living in Los Angeles, she attended the Musicians Institute and earned an associate degree in music. In 2008, She, Her, Ele, her first album, was released, followed five years later by the EP Coming From A Lady.

Lady Ele is scheduled to perform at the Seeds Of Unity concert on May 16 at Drax Hall Sports Stadium in St Ann.

VIRGO, her next album, is earmarked for release this year.

— Howard Campbell