Pop tribute for Damilola

Damilola Taylor bled to death in a stairwell

Classmates of Damilola Taylor have joined pop singers like Gabrielle, Des'ree and Roachford to launch a record dedicated to the schoolboy.

Wake Up in the Morning was made to focus public attention on crime and raise money for the Damilola Taylor Trust Fund.

Ten-year-old Damilola bled to death in a stairwell on the North Peckham Estate, after being stabbed in the leg on his way home from an after-school club on 27 November.

Damilola's friends from the Oliver Goldsmiths School, Peckham, saw the final touches being made to the recording at the Sarm West Studio, where Bob Marley and Live Aid recorded hit songs.

I still have confidence in the police and I feel that that confidence will not be betrayed

Richard Taylor

One of his classmates said: "This is a great way to remember Damilola, who was a good friend to us all."

Damilola's father, Richard, who was also at the studio in Ladbroke Grove, west London, told BBC News: "We feel very bad that the murderers of this innocent boy are still out there - but I still have confidence in the police and I feel that that confidence will not be betrayed.

Gregg Brown, of the band Osibisa, was inspired to make the single after filming a documentary about Damilola's funeral.

"I had never actually organised anything like this and didn't want the responsibility - but after filming them with the little body at the funeral then reality hit me.

"I was drowning in tears."

Richard Taylor was at the studio

Brown originally wrote the song in 1984.

"It was a call for communities to come together and to find the strength to carry on," he said.

"I never thought it would still be relevant today."

"I was amazed by the response of people I asked to help. It was really, really good.

"People have been extremely dedicated, hard-working and positive about this project."

"Des'ree was very helpful, very dedicated," Mr Brown concluded.

I still can't believe that his murderers are still at large

Des'ree

The singer said she had been "shocked and devastated" by the murder.

"I live in south-east London so it had a special significance to me," Des'ree added.

"It was terrible, especially with him being so young and so full of potential and hope.

"I still can't believe that his murderers are still at large.

"Hopefully the media attention surrounding this song may give those with information about the crime the courage to come forward."