Community Playlist Supports Nate Matias’s Charity RideCEFR B1
5 Aug 2025
Adapted from Sydney Allen, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Sabin Chhetri, Unsplash
Global Voices published a community-sourced playlist to support Nate Matias as he cycled the equivalent of 10,000 meters in elevation over three days to raise money. The playlist gathered songs from many regions to keep him motivated and to honour the Nepalese roots of the ride.
Contributors explained why they picked particular songs. Elisa Marvena recommended "Jerusalem" by Fairouz and Ziad Rahbani, calling the song an anthem and a love song to Al Quds and noting Fairouz's cultural reach across Southwest Asia and North Africa. Marvena also mentioned the work of different composers and that Ziad Rahbani passed away last month.
Lara AlMalakeh suggested "Zamilou" by Bu Kolthoum, a Syrian rapper now building an audience in the Netherlands; Lara said the artist arrived as a refugee, chose a stage name from Arab culture and that the song feels empowering for women. Other contributors shared an instrumental track by Gaélica rooted in Madeiran, Galician and American sounds, and Caribbean selections meant to give blessing, patience and celebration. Community members in Nepal assembled Nepali-language songs to honour the ride's origins.
Difficult words
- community-sourced — created by many people in a group
- elevation — height above sea level or ground
- contributor — person who gives material or ideasContributors
- anthem — a song with strong public or group meaning
- refugee — person forced to leave their country
- instrumental — music without singing, only instruments play
- assemble — to bring together or put parts togetherassembled
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you add songs to a playlist for someone raising money? Which songs would you choose and why?
- How can music help honour a person's cultural roots during an event or journey? Give an example from your life or a country you know.
- The article mentions songs that give blessing, patience and celebration. Which type of music helps you feel motivated during hard exercise, and why?
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