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Rapper, author, and former child soldier Emmanuel Jal on overcoming trauma
Rapper Emmanuel Jal has released seven studio albums.
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Emmanuel Jal was born in the early 1980s, not long before his home country of Sudan descended into civil war. The violence tore his family apart and he became a child soldier to survive.
Emmanuel is profiled in the 2008 documentary “War Child.” It follows him to a refugee camp, where he recounts his story to a classroom of young men.
As a teenager, Emmanuel discovered the best language through which to tell his story: music. In the time since he’s released seven studio albums.
He is also the author of two books: “War Child: A Child Soldier’s Story” and “My Life is Art: 11 Pillars for a Positive and Purposeful Life.”
The latter is his latest literary work and it details his strategy for living with trauma – a process he calls “My Life is Art.”
We spoke to Emmanuel about his life, and work and how they intersect.
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