What is the Global South? From Struggle to Song

Understanding the Global South

The term “Global South” first appeared in 1952, coined by French demographer Alfred Savvy alongside the phrase Tiers Monde (Third World). At the time, it described regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania—countries outside the two Cold War superpowers: the United States and the Soviet Union.

Since then, the meaning of Global South has evolved. It not only refers to geography but also to political, social, and economic realities. These countries were historically subjugated, exploited, and turned into reservoirs of cheap labor through colonialism and neocolonialism.

While the phrase originally highlighted a global divide, its contemporary use underscores ongoing inequality: many nations of the Global South remain marginalized, while even “developed” countries struggle with homelessness, Indigenous disenfranchisement, and systemic poverty. The legacy of colonialism continues to ripple across the entire world.

Southern Time: The Song That Sparked a Movement

In 1997, just months after discovering he was HIV-positive, Canadian musician Timothy Bartsch (T) wrote his first song, Southern Time. At 20, his dream of becoming a professional cellist in Germany was shattered when he learned he had contracted HIV from his professor—who never disclosed his status.

Instead of giving in to despair, T turned to music. His diagnosis made him feel connected to the forgotten and exploited masses of the Global South, whose struggles mirrored his own sense of disenfranchisement. Southern Time became not just a song but a vision: a call for a world where balance, justice, and compassion replace inequality and stigma.

The Promise: Music with Purpose

From that vision emerged The Promise, a band blending psychedelic, jazzy, classical, and art-rock influences into what they call 21st Century Social Classical music. With T and fellow vocalist Justin Anantawan, both openly HIV-positive, The Promise gives voice to the struggles and triumphs of people living with HIV.

The music is more than entertainment—it’s a social mission. Through lyrics, performances, and storytelling, The Promise fosters compassion, challenges stigma, and inspires hope. A portion of their proceeds goes to the Southern Time Foundation, supporting global AIDS initiatives.

In a world where HIV-related stigma still silences millions, The Promise insists on being heard. Their music reminds us that, as the old saying goes, music can change the world—and theirs is designed to do just that.

Dreamer: From Stage to Screen

The story didn’t stop with a song. In 2005, T staged Southern Time: The Rock Musical in Vancouver. The multimedia production—featuring music, dance, acting, and video projections—brought to life his journey of contracting HIV and living with it.

But life soon took a darker turn. By 2009, after rejecting HIV treatment for a decade, T nearly died of AIDS. He spent six months in the hospital, two of them in a palliative care ward. Against all odds, he survived, though with spinal damage from an opportunistic infection.

That experience gave him renewed purpose. By 2015, T relocated to Toronto, assembled The Promise, and began shaping a new vision: Dreamer, a five-season cinematic series inspired by his life. Each season of Dreamer will be paired with an album and tour by The Promise, creating a music-film fusion experience unlike anything in the industry.

The first album, Lost in Love No More, released in July 2020 during the global AIDS 2020 conference, set the tone for this ambitious journey. Though the pandemic delayed live tours, the mission remains: to inspire global audiences, end AIDS stigma, and amplify the voices of the Global South.

Toward a More Balanced World

Through Southern Time Productions, The Promise, and the Southern Time Foundation, this work is more than art—it’s activism. By telling one man’s story, it amplifies the stories of millions who have been marginalized, stigmatized, or forgotten.

The ultimate goal? To help achieve UNAIDS’ vision of ending AIDS by 2030, while promoting a more balanced and compassionate global society.

It truly is time for the Global South to shine.