INSTANT KARMA
ABOUT

Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur is more than a collection of songs; it's a rallying cry. This compilation album, featuring iconic covers of John Lennon's music by some of the world’s most influential artists, fueled Amnesty International’s efforts to relieve the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. Part of Amnesty’s “Make Some Noise” project, the campaign carried Lennon’s enduring message of peace and activism into the 21st century.

Launched to critical acclaim, the album soared to number one in multiple countries, raising over $4 million for Amnesty International. The roster reads like a who's who of music legends: U2, Green Day, R.E.M., Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, Jakob Dylan, Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, Black Eyed Peas, Willie Nelson, The Cure, Jack Johnson, and Snow Patrol—each artist lending their voice to the cause.

Reflecting on the project, Yoko Ono remarked, “It’s wonderful that, through this campaign, music that is so familiar to many people of my era will now be embraced by a whole new generation. John’s music set out to inspire change, and in standing up for human rights, and selling more records, we really can make the world a better place.”

Through the universal language of music, Instant Karma carried the call for human rights to a global stage, proving that art and activism can indeed go hand in hand.
ABOUT

Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur is a compilation album of artists covering iconic John Lennon songs benefitting Amnesty International's efforts to alleviate the crisis in Darfur. The album and campaign were part of Amnesty International's "Make Some Noise" human rights project.  

The physical and digital album went to number one in many countries, raised over 4 million dollars for Amnesty International, and included artists such as U2, Green Day, R.E.M. Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, Jakob Dylan, Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, Black Eyed Peas, Willie Nelson, The Cure, Jack Johnson and Snow Patrol.

Of the project, Yoko Ono stated, "It's wonderful that, through this campaign, music that is so familiar to many people of my era will now be embraced by a whole new generation. John's music set out to inspire change, and in standing up for human rights, and selling more records, we really can make the world a better place."
ABOUT

Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur is a compilation album of artists covering iconic John Lennon songs benefitting Amnesty International's efforts to alleviate the crisis in Darfur. The album and campaign were part of Amnesty International's "Make Some Noise" human rights project.  

The physical and digital album went to number one in many countries, raised over 4 million dollars for Amnesty International, and included artists such as U2, Green Day, R.E.M. Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, Jakob Dylan, Aerosmith, Lenny Kravitz, Black Eyed Peas, Willie Nelson, The Cure, Jack Johnson and Snow Patrol.

Of the project, Yoko Ono stated, "It's wonderful that, through this campaign, music that is so familiar to many people of my era will now be embraced by a whole new generation. John's music set out to inspire change, and in standing up for human rights, and selling more records, we really can make the world a better place."
THE ORIGIN

Following the triumph of the 46664 Cause Brand, which David Clark pioneered alongside President Nelson Mandela, Clark took on a new mantle in 2003 as the global CEO of Amnesty International’s Art for Amnesty. From the heart of Amnesty’s Dublin office, he spearheaded and curated ambitious global art and music initiatives for the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization, channeling creativity into activism.

When Clark arrived, Make Some Noise - a regional project where Yoko Ono had granted Art for Amnesty the rights to “Imagine” - was already in motion. The plan was to invite an all-star ensemble of musicians to create a CD with twelve unique renditions of Lennon’s timeless anthem.

While intriguing, Clark saw in the project a greater potential: with a bold, expanded vision, Make Some Noise could launch an international movement that would bring global resonance to the fight for human rights around the world..
THE ORIGIN

After the success of the 46664 Cause Brand that David Clark had created with President Nelson Mandela, Clark was hired to serve as the global CEO of Amnesty International’s Art for Amnesty in 2003, where he created and managed all global art and music initiatives for the Nobel Peace Prize winning organization out of their Dublin Office.

At the time, a regional project called “Make Some Noise” was already underway where Yoko Ono had gifted the song “Imagine” to Art for Amnesty, so they could solicit an all-star lineup of bands to record a CD featuring twelve versions of the same immortal song. 

It was an interesting idea, but Clark believed that if the project had a larger vision, it could be expanded to create impact on a global scale.
THE ORIGIN

After the success of the 46664 Cause Brand that David Clark had created with President Nelson Mandela, Clark was hired to serve as the global CEO of Amnesty International’s Art for Amnesty in 2003, where he created and managed all global art and music initiatives for the Nobel Peace Prize winning organization out of their Dublin Office.

At the time, a regional project called “Make Some Noise” was already underway where Yoko Ono had gifted the song “Imagine” to Art for Amnesty, so they could solicit an all-star lineup of bands to record a CD featuring twelve versions of the same immortal song. 

It was an interesting idea, but Clark believed that if the project had a larger vision, it could be expanded to create impact on a global scale.
THE EXPANDED PROJECT

David Clark had an idea. With Yoko Ono’s generous permission to use “Imagine” already granted, he wondered: might she allow Amnesty International access to her husband’s entire music catalog? This way, each artist could choose the Lennon song that resonated with them most personally. Clark believed that giving musicians the freedom to select from Lennon’s body of work would create a deeper connection and spark greater enthusiasm, channeling their talents into powerful expressions of solidarity.

Although Amnesty was captivated by the potential of Clark’s vision, they hesitated, feeling it might be too much to ask of Yoko. But Clark reminded them of Yoko and John’s profound commitment to human rights - they were not only ardent supporters, but actual card-carrying members of Amnesty International, aligning deeply with its values.

Ultimately, Amnesty seized the opportunity and made the "ask," and Yoko graciously consented. The outcome was extraordinary: 66 legendary bands and musicians united to record 34 of Lennon’s most enduring songs. The project culminated in Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur, a double album that transformed Lennon’s legacy into a powerful rallying cry for justice.
Irene Khan the Secretary General of Amnesty International presents Yoko Ono with a platinum record.
THE EXPANDED PROJECT

Clark had a thought. Given that Yoko Ono had already been gracious enough to allow Amnesty permission to use the song “Imagine,” Clark wondered how she would feel about giving the human rights organization access to her husband’s entire music catalogue – so they could let the individual artists and bands pick the Lennon song that most resonated with them. Instead of asking artists to only perform “Imagine,” Clark felt asking artists to cover the song of their choice would be more effective at capturing their interest, imagination and participation.

Even though the global scale of Clark’s idea appealed to Amnesty, they felt it was asking too much of Yoko. Clark then pointed out that both Yoko Ono and John Lennon paid their annual Amnesty International dues – so they were literally card carrying members of Amnesty, as well as passionate supporters and identified closely with the social justice causes that Amnesty supported.

Amnesty finally agreed, and Clark oversaw the ‘ask’ that went to Yoko to let Amnesty use her husband’s entire catalogue of music. Yoko graciously agreed, and 66 amazing bands and musicians came together to record 34 immortal John Lennon Songs. The result: a double album, Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. 
Irene Khan the Secretary General of Amnesty International presents Yoko Ono with a platinum record.
Irene Khan the Secretary General of Amnesty International presents Yoko Ono with a platinum record.
THE EXPANDED PROJECT

Clark had a thought. Given that Yoko Ono had already been gracious enough to allow Amnesty permission to use the song “Imagine,” Clark wondered how she would feel about giving the human rights organization access to her husband’s entire music catalogue – so they could let the individual artists and bands pick the Lennon song that most resonated with them. Instead of asking artists to only perform “Imagine,” Clark felt asking artists to cover the song of their choice would be more effective at capturing their interest, imagination and participation.

Even though the global scale of Clark’s idea appealed to Amnesty, they felt it was asking too much of Yoko. Clark then pointed out that both Yoko Ono and John Lennon paid their annual Amnesty International dues – so they were literally card carrying members of Amnesty, as well as passionate supporters and identified closely with the social justice causes that Amnesty supported.

Amnesty finally agreed, and Clark oversaw the ‘ask’ that went to Yoko to let Amnesty use her husband’s entire catalogue of music. Yoko graciously agreed, and 66 amazing bands and musicians came together to record 34 immortal John Lennon Songs. The result: a double album, Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur. 

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