In the same way Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie made “We Are the World 25 for Haiti,” hip-hop star K’NAAN brought together a bunch of artists to raise awareness and money for the strife in Haiti. He took the song “Wavin’ Flag” off his latest album Troubadour and remixed it for this gathering of artists. The group includes Canadians like Avril Lavigne, Drake, and Emily Haines. Download the song here; all proceeds go to Free The Children, War Child Canada, and World Vision. (Side note: Friggin Justin Beiber. I’ll never understand why Jones and Riche decided to have him open “We Are the World” and now why K’NAAN had him close out his song.)
Recorded on February 1st, 2010, in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier (Henson Recording Studios, formerly A&M Recording Studios) “We Are The World 25 For Haiti”, in which [Quincy] Jones and [Lionel]Richie serve as executive producers and producers, was created in collaboration with executive producers Wyclef Jean, Randy Phillips and Peter Tortorici; producers Humberto Gattica and RedOne; and co-producers Rickey Minor, Mervyn Warren and Patti Austin to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts and the rebuilding of Haiti. Director Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby) filmed the recording.
This 2010 version of “We Are The World” features over 80 artists and performers. And they all rocked it. Question is, how does it compare to the original 1985 recording? They they differ in artist makeup they share the same goal–to raise awareness about a major global disaster that needs support from all of us. In 1985, Richie and Michael Jackson wrote the song to bring attention to famine and disease in Africa; this time it was made to rally the world to give a helping hand to Haiti that suffered many casualties and was left in ruins after a massive earthquake. If you haven’t done so already, donate what you can to a Haiti relief fund. You can download the song and video for “We Are The World 25 for Haiti” on iTunes. Look after the break for two videos that feature interviews with some of the participating atists.
I realize Lupe & Kenna ask you to download this free track to donate money for Haiti relief. What they mean to say is download this track, share it with others, and donate money any way you can. You want to know the fastest, most simplest way to give money to help the poor people in Haiti? Send a text message.
Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross
Text HAITI to 25383 to donate $5 to International Rescue Committee
Text HAITI to 45678 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army in Canada
Text YELE to 501501 to donation $5 to Yele
Text RELIEF to 30644 to get automatically connected to Catholic Relief Services and donate money with your credit card
Text HAITI to 864833 to donate $5 to The United Way
Text CERF to 90999 to donate $5 to The United Nations Foundation
Text DISASTER to 90999 to donate $10 to Compassion International
So far text message donations to Haiti surpassed the $10 million mark. If you haven’t contributed to this outstanding number please do so at your earliest convenience. The people of Haiti need our support and this really is the easiest way to lend a helping hand. Now listen to Lupe’s lastest creation (which happens to be really good), share it with others, and spread the word of text message donations.
