But think Lemma's opinion through a bit more...
... would the masses listen to, pay for, be interested in any unknown-to-them artist singing a sad song for Ebola victims?
The reason Band Aid works is that it touches The Masses and gives them a simple opportunity to contribute.
Those of us who are more mature in our aid thinking don't have to like it, agree with it or even give it a second thought. It is not aimed at us. We learned the terrible lesson of the 85 event, the same as Geldof and the rest of the world did. To keep on referring to it without acknowledging the changes made, lessons learned is disingenuous at the best.
Some people sound as though they are blaming Geldof, as if he could/should have known what would happen. Well, hindsight is a wonderful thing, just as cat flaps are blindingly obvious, once you have seen one!
For those in Africa who want Band Aid done differently well, no! If someone else, say Damon Albarn wants to work with African artists, then great - personally I am more likely to listen to the outcome of that. But Geldof does not work like that and I think it is remarkably self centred to ask him to be someone else, working in a completely different manner. This works for him and he gets good results. The accusations of being utterly patronising can be thrown both ways in this.
I shall continue to ignore Band Aid, the song and the money raising. It is not aimed at me, the original 85 event opened my eyes and made me a much more mature and thoughtful aid giver. But I will continue to support all of those involved and to encourage those it is aimed at to contribute, in the hope they too learn the lessons I did.