Today marks the 10th anniversary of the release of the hit Arabic charity single, ‘TOMORROW/BOKRA,’ jointly produced by multi-Grammy Award winning producer, Quincy Jones and Emirati social entrepreneur Badr Jafar. To commemorate the special anniversary, the architects behind the inspirational project have announced a revival and relaunch of the Tomorrow/Bokra production. In the coming months, the charity anthem will be relaunched with new artist collaborations, and digital and live experiences.
The Tomorrow/Bokra song was released on November 11, 2011 (11/11/11), a date chosen to highlight the ‘Oneness’ of the song and the hope that it would become a beacon of solidarity across the region. It brought together 24 leading artists from across the Middle East and North Africa, singing for a better future during a turbulent time in the region. Its powerful message reached over 30 million viewers globally, topping the Virgin top ten charts in the Arab world for 6 weeks. Philanthropic funds raised through the global distribution of the single helped finance educational programs in music, arts, and culture for disadvantaged children across the Arab world.
A decade later, Tomorrow/Bokra’s message of unity continues to resonate across the region and the world. As the region battles old and emerging challenges, many further exacerbated by the pandemic, there is a mounting need to pave the way for a brighter and more sustainable tomorrow for the region’s youth.
Quincy Jones remarked, “Today marks the 10-year anniversary of 11.11.11 - A very special day that brought together 24 Arab Artists from 16 nations across the Middle East & North Africa, to sing with one voice for a better tomorrow. The single was jointly produced with my beloved brothers Badr Jafar & RedOne, as well as our co-ep Taymoor Marmarchi. People gave their whole heart to this project & it makes my soul smile to know that it was ALL about the kids, then and now. On top of that, my joint venture with Badr Jafar, Global Gumbo Group (G3), is now partnering with OneOf to use NFTs as a way to continue raising money for the cause! May we all strive for a better tomorrow, for our kids & all generations to come!”
Among several plans to mark the Tomorrow/Bokra anniversary is a partnership with the eco-conscious music NFT platform, OneOf. The partnership bridges the past and the future with unique crypto art inspired by the song.
Badr Jafar added, “Bokra was conceived from a trying era in the Arab region. We aimed at the time to promote the spirit of solidarity through the song, as music so often has the power to do. Today, we reinvigorate the spirit of Bokra, through the powers of philanthropy, music, culture and technology that unify humanity, and especially our youth, who are yearning to cultivate new opportunities in their pursuit of a prosperous and resilient future.”