Remember in the 80's when aids and HIV campaigns were everywhere? When the overriding message for school kids, lusty teenagers and adults was wear a condom and safe sex. Well, guess what, its still a thing.
TALIA STORM AND TINIE TEMPAH ON THE MTV ''FOUND'' RED CARPET EVENT IN LONDON.
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).
HIV is the world's leading infectious killer and HIV/AIDS remains one of the world's most significant public health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. 35 million people are living with HIV worldwide and an estimated 39 million people have died from AIDS-related causes so far, including 1.5 million in 2013, according to the World Health Organisation.
MTV
The key to preventing more deaths is education and getting into young minds early. Global youth brand MTV have been passionate about helping champion this crusade for years, both with programming and by holding events and fundraisers, and also consistently getting key influencers and celebrities on board to help spread the awareness.
TINIE
This past week, music act and man about town Tinie Tempah headlined MTV's Staying Alive London Fundraising Gala 'Found' to raise money for fight against HIV.
JASMINE WITH TINIE AND HIS MANAGER DUMI.
Tinie performed his new single 'Not Letting Go' for the first time on the night and the catchy summer time hook ( also sung by pop sensation Jess Glynne), had the crowds up on their feet dancing and singing with Tinie, all reciting the lyrics word for word.
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).
Even when I was working at MTV for over a decade they were tirelessly fighting for air time and hitting up their bigwig A Lister's to jump onboard their campaign, so it's great to still see it go from strength to strength, under the leadership of the MTV Staying Alive executive director Georgia Arnold. Georgia opened the night with a touching speech, highlighting the important international work being done by the charity.
MTV EXEC DIRECTOR GEORGIA ARNOLD WITH TINIE TEMPAH.
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).
Backstage beforehand Tinie told us "I can't wait to perform, it's an honour to be part of raising funds and awareness for such a worthy cause as the fight against HIV and AIDS and to be the face of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation".
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).
Of course Tinie (who was joined onstage by his long term DJ, DJ Charley), was impeccably dressed. A past Brit award winner and prominent figure in British fashion, Tinie was named Best Dressed Man in GQ's Men of the Year Awards 2012 and in 2015 was selected as the ambassador for the London Menswear Collection so he is always at the top of the male grooming game. Tinie was support by the very talented singer/songwriter, Tallia Storm who sang her new single 'Social Security'.
FOUND FUND RAISER.
At London's Victoria House, the event saw VIP's and celebrities turn out for the exclusive, intimate fundraising gala. Attendees included MTV presenters Becca Dudley, Laura Whitmore, Dutch footballer Edgar Davids, 'Victim' Actress, Anna Nightingale, Publicist Jessica Huie MBE, singer/songwriter Sonna Rele tipped to be the next big thing from Universal Records.
The evening saw a host of VIP's in attendance including legendary Dutch footballer Edgar Davids (seen pictured with Tinie) although there was no sign of Chuka Umunn following rumours of a campaign song from old pal Tinie Tempah, for his short lived Labour leadership race, which he mysteriously withdraw from the following day.
TINIE WITH FOOTBALLER EDGAR DAVIDS.
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).
On arrival we were greeted by an interactive Staying Alive space with information on the charities projects and young leaders. Dark mood lighting engulfed the venue as though we were on a mysterious adventure to unlock hidden secrets. The ornate Found logo - a large gold key - appeared on walls throughout, as if reminding us of the treasure to be unlocked.
The specially chosen 250 guests enjoyed a Champagne reception, unlimited drinks all evening and canapés with a twist followed by a delicious bowl food menu.
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).
The unforgettable Supreme Fabulettes oversaw the auction-bidding proceedings, as they paraded amongst us to entice us to bid, their huge regalia dwarfed us, and before long we were spurred into action.
After the auction, guests were ushered into a second room, there, to our delight was the FOUND funfair, a marketplace of retro games, candy stalls and prizes to be won.
SINGER / SONG WRITER SONNA RELE WITH TALIA STORM.
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).
Finally we found a third room, where we slipped into the hidden VIP lounge at the side of the stage, to watch the performances from Tinie and support act Talia.
TALIA STORM PERFORMS AT MTV'S FOUND FUNDRAISER.
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).
Afterwards Tinie said: "There's so much stigma about talking about sex. But the more you're able to have these conversations with older people and get appropriate advice. "The most important thing is before you do it - wear a jimmy." he added: "I know what it's like in the heat of the moment, but stop and think. It only takes two seconds to say 'have you got a condom? It's your life that you're playing with. Aids and HIV is the second biggest killer of young people in this generation. It's affecting a lot of young Africans and I'm someone of Nigerian heritage so it's an issue that's quite close to me''.
An estimated 3.2 million children are living with HIV. According to 2013 figures from the WHO, most of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa and were infected by their HIV-positive mothers during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Over 240 000 children [210 000-280 000] became newly infected with HIV in 2013.
MTV SHUGA.
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).
MTV also keep on the ground momentum from events like this up with their on air programming. An MTV series titled SHUGA has been ground breaking in leading the way through its local storylines and pro-social narrative.
Set and filmed on location in Nairobi, the soap opera came about after UNICEF teamed up with MTV to create a health campaign to impact the lives of youths in Kenya, where an estimated 6.5 percent of its population lives with HIV.
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).
Shuga became a hit and was aired in 40 different African countries before it was aired internationally in over 70 television stations.
It is thought to be a very controversial series by the senior generation of Kenyans because it contains some scenes that contained sexually explicit content.
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).
In 2013, production of the series was moved to Nigeria, where the third and subsequent seasons are set. Dubbed "Shuga Naija", the new version is a multimedia campaign, which educates youths on HIV, safe sex and teen pregnancy. It also touches on maternal and child health, family planning, gender-based violence, and women's empowerment.
MTV are continuing to do their bit for awareness, let's help them spread the word!
(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY MTV Staying Alive Foundation).