27 Million

Album: Single Release Only (2012)
Charted: 12
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Christian worship leader and songwriter Matt Redman joined with Manchester Hip Hop band LZ7 to record this stand alone single about human trafficking and slavery. The song gets its title from the estimated 27 million trafficked and enslaved people across the globe. It was released as a single worldwide on February 27, 2012.
  • So who are Matt Redman ands LZ7? Matt Redman is a Brighton-based Christian songwriter. Some of his most popular songs include "Heart of Worship," "Let Everything That Has Breath," "Once Again," and "Blessed Be Your Name," the latter winning the "Worship Song of the Year" award in the 2005 Dove awards. He has authored and edited a number of books on Christian worship, including The Unquenchable Worshipper.

    The Christian rap and dance group LZ7 was formed in 2005 by Lindz West after the disbanding of his previous band, The Tribe, the previous year. They are part of Christian charity The Message Trust, who work amongst young people in the Manchester area and beyond. In 2010, The Message launched the 'Shine your Light' initiative challenging young people to complete 15 specific acts of kindness in their local communities and LZ7 recorded "This Little Light," a song based around a sample of the gospel track "This Little Light of Mine" for the campaign. It peaked at #26 on the singles chart in October 2010 making it the first ever Christian-rap track to make the UK Top 40.
  • Redman explained on Premier Radio that the song was recorded to raise awareness for the anti-human trafficking movement. He said: "It's a huge issue in our world that's rising to the surface. Governments, police and the media are all talking about it, and the church is doing a lot of stuff - this is a song to recognise that and hopefully drive some more awareness. Let's propel this somewhere good together, make some noise about this issue that is on the heart of God and the heart of the Church."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Movie Stars In Music Videos

Movie Stars In Music VideosSong Writing

Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis and John Malkovich are just a few of the film stars who have moonlighted in music videos.

Graham Parker

Graham ParkerSongwriter Interviews

When Judd Apatow needed under-appreciated rockers for his Knocked Up sequel, he immediately thought of Parker, who just happened to be getting his band The Rumour back together.

Joe Ely

Joe ElySongwriter Interviews

The renown Texas songwriter has been at it for 40 years, with tales to tell about The Flatlanders and The Clash - that's Joe's Tex-Mex on "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.

Sam Phillips

Sam PhillipsSongwriter Interviews

Collaborating with T Bone Burnett, Leslie Phillips changed her name and left her Christian label behind - Robert Plant, who recorded one of her songs on Raising Sand, is a fan.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.