n their homeland of Sierra Leone, Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew are hailed as “the voice of the voiceless.” Packing the national stadium for electrifying live performances, they are often likened to Bob Marley or Fela Kuti —speaking out against political and social injustices, the violence of the past years of civil war, promoting peace & reconciliation— and perhaps most importantly, spreading messages of universal love and hope. Best known in the US for contributing music to the Academy Award–nominated film Blood Diamond, B+DEC are excited for their US debut (album out summer 2010) and have been welcomed and cheered by acclaimed artists from Bill Laswell to The Roots (who are amongst just a few guest artists/producers on their upcoming self-titled album). Having made it against harrowing odds, B+DEC go the extra distance to inspire the disenfranchised, both in their country and ours, to pursue their dreams. As ?uestlove from The Roots put it, “every performance I’ve ever seen them do, it’s almost as if they know it’s their last night on earth.”