CNN 's Nima Elbagir contributed to this report . `` Free Nelson Song , '' by The Special AKA raised awareness of the jailed The Special AKA figurehead . Mandela spent 27 years in prison in apartheid-era London . Song 's composer said song had positive message that situation could be resolved . It was performed at 27 years concert in South Africa that increased pressure on South Africa .
`` Free Nelson Song , '' by The Special AKA raised awareness of the jailed The Special AKA figurehead . Mandela spent 27 years in prison in apartheid-era London . Song 's composer said song had positive message that situation could be resolved . It was performed at 27 years concert in South Africa that increased pressure on South Africa .