A Bradford singer has released a powerful single addressing the issue of honour killings.

Imani Hekima’s song, Shame, is being used on a video of shocking images made by an anti-honour killings Facebook group. Imani said he wrote the song originally about a woman whose life spirals into self destruction.

“Its lyrical content and title carries a double meaning, spookily relevant to honour crimes,” he said. “When I was approached to lend music to this video, Shame seemed the obvious choice.

“It addresses the devastating issue of honour killings, which have been brought increasingly into public focus in recent years. It’s a subject I’ve always felt strongly about and I hope the song can assist the cause.”

The song is set to a moody soul and reggae ‘slow jam’ reminiscent of dance act Massive Attack.

“It captures a feeling of lament,” said Imani. “It goes out to the women who have been victims of these barbaric crimes. More needs to be done to bring honour crimes to an end. There is no ‘honour’ in these acts at all.”

The video, which can be seen on YouTube, features disturbing images of honour killing victims, including women who were stoned, and women who have had acid thrown in their faces.

Imani, a former Yorkshire Martyrs School pupil who has been in Bradford ska-inspired bands Spectre and Real Eyez, said Shame had received the endorsement of renowned Kurdish women rights and anti-war activist Houzan Mahmoud, the overseas representative of the Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq.

“Honour killings have dramatically risen there since the US/UK invasion,” said Imani.

  • Shame is available as a download single on iTunes and Amazon. For more information visit myspace.com/imanihekima.