Keith Murray - Rapper Murray Raising Aids Awareness In Africa

Veteran rapper KEITH MURRAY is taking time out of his tour of Africa to visit children affected by HIV and AIDS in Mozambique.

The hip-hop star travelled to Africa earlier this week (begs30Nov09) and has lined up a number of charity events in recognition of World AIDS Day, which took place on Tuesday (01Dec09).

As part of his trip, Murray will speak to youths to raise awareness about the deadly disease and meet kids in two orphanages.

The campaign is particularly poignant for Murray, 37, because he lost both his mother and sister to the illness when he was in his early 20s.

He tells HipHopDX.com, "The impact that HIV and AIDS can have on a person and a family is something that I know on a very personal level, which is why I was so determined to make this trip.

"The most painful part is watching people close to you go through it and feeling that there’s nothing you can do to help. (But) I think talking about it helps."

Murray's mum died after contracting HIV from a blood transfusion when he was 20, and his sister passed away three years later.