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

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many Songs

Who's Johnny, And Why Does He Show Up In So Many SongsSong Writing

For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.