Biography
In January 2010 an enormous earthquake devastated Haiti, taking 230,000 lives and displacing nearly one million residents. Global relief efforts drew support from numerous entertainers who contributed to Haitian aid campaigns. Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie had previously fashioned the landmark 1985 charity single “We Are the World,” uniting leading recording artists to combat African famine; following the Haitian disaster they again oversaw a fresh version of the track intended to generate both awareness and financial assistance. Recording occurred at Henson Recording Studios—the same facility used for the original—on February 1, 2010, with solo vocal contributions from Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, Fergie, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Janet Jackson, Wyclef Jean (who also served as a producer), Nick Jonas, Lil Wayne, Pink, Usher, Barbra Streisand and Kanye West. The updated arrangement incorporated a rap segment performed by Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Swizz Beatz and will.i.am.
Close to one hundred musicians participated in the project, which appeared on February 12, 2010 in both CD-single and digital-download formats. The release entered the Top Ten in ten separate nations and prompted a subsequent cover: singer-songwriter Lisa Lavie joined more than fifty unsigned and independent artists whose YouTube content was assembled into an online video aimed at highlighting the Haitian emergency.
Close to one hundred musicians participated in the project, which appeared on February 12, 2010 in both CD-single and digital-download formats. The release entered the Top Ten in ten separate nations and prompted a subsequent cover: singer-songwriter Lisa Lavie joined more than fifty unsigned and independent artists whose YouTube content was assembled into an online video aimed at highlighting the Haitian emergency.
Singles