You need to check out early UB40’s songs. They were (are) a mixed race band, and wrote and covered many protest songs before they hit big commerciality with the Labour of Love albums. They brought attention and much needed aid to starving Africans, pointed out the injustices around the world, wrote of rampant youth unemployment in the late 70’s and early 80’s.

So, sorry chas, but no apology is forthcoming. Strange Fruit has been covered by a plethora of musicians of all races, including Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and many others. What matters is the meaning behind the cover, and I can assure you, UB40 did not take this one lightly. Injustice against people of color is not a unique to America thing…