For 23-year old Pelé Maree, aka Rap’s Revolutionary, HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness is not a novel idea or a political conviction. It’s a mission. Using his passion for writing and creativity, Pelé believes his music provides an outlet for young people to talk about stigmatized issues, like HIV/AIDS. A message he considers urgent for young people all over the world, but for young African men especially, evident on the track “Tomorrow”.

As an international citizen, growing up both in Philadelphia, PA and traveling to South Africa, eventually even moving there, Pelé was confronted firsthand by the reality of watching those you love die from HIV/AIDS untreated. Caught between the developed and developing worlds Pelé realized early on the difference awareness, testing and access to healthcare make. In townships and shantytowns in his native South Africa Pelé recalls people getting sick and dying without anyone ever openly saying it was because of HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS not only affects those infected as individuals, but also family members. “Everyone with family in South Africa has had their lives touched by HIV/AIDS,” Pelé remarked, “it is killing so many of us, and yet it’s still not discussed”. The taboo associated with HIV/AIDS limits prevention, awareness and also drives Pelé to use music to open the eyes of his listeners. As a revolutionary Pelé views himself as someone willing to change the status quo in order to bring an urgent message of change to young people in a creative medium they’d be more open to listen to, understand and willing to discuss.

Pelé prides himself of on keeping his music “easy on the ears” while still conscious and educational. “African issues, African history might not seem like hip hop topics, but I take it there,” says the young artist. Judge for yourself on politically-themed tracks like “Darfur”, “African Warrior”, and “Sierra Leone”, a heartfelt discussion of the civil war in the 1990s, blood diamonds and child warriors, now available on iTunes.

As an artist, an advocate, and leader Pelé is doing great work by reminding us of the fact that “No one person can save the world. If you start somewhere and you are passionate about what you’re doing, you’ll make a difference.”

Join Pelé and MTV Staying Alive in the fight against HIV/AIDS by listening below:

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Leave a comment and let us know what you think of the track – and share your views on whether you think more artists should take a socially conscious stance.

Interview conducted by Tasha Shangvi, Staying Alive’s Spanish Editor