Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie Announce Plans for ‘We Are The World 25 For Haiti’

Quincy Jones, producer, and Lionel Richie, co-writer, of the iconic 1985 philanthropic anthem “We Are The World,” today announced details surrounding the world premiere and global distribution of the contemporary version of the song and accompanying video We Are The World 25 For Haiti. Recorded on February 1st in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier (Henson Recording Studios, formerly A&M Recording Studios) the new version, in which Jones and 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. This production was made possible through financial support from Visa Inc.

The world premiere of We Are The World 25 For Haiti will air during NBC’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics this Friday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 C.T. Shortly after the premiere, details about a multi-network international roadblock simulcast will be announced.

Academy Award-winning writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby), whose own personal efforts as well as those of Artists for Peace and Justice have already saved countless lives in Haiti, filmed the private recording session to create the accompanying video and “behind-the-scenes” production, and serves as Film Director and as an Executive Producer with Jones, Richie, Jean, Phillips and Tortorici.

Following the world premiere, fans will immediately be able to download the song and view exclusive footage from the recording session on the official website: WORLD25.org. Downloads will also be available on iTunes, and through a partnership with YouTube, the video will be viewable on the “We Are the World 25” YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/wearetheworld). Immediate donations will be made possible by clicking on the “Donate Now” button on YouTube or by downloading the song on iTunes.

All proceeds will go to the We Are The World Foundation, a newly created not-for-profit organization founded by Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie whose other board members will include Wyclef Jean, Paul Haggis, Randy Phillips, Peter Tortorici and Ambassador Luis Moreno of the Inter-American Development Bank. The Foundation is dedicated to raising money and making grants to charitable organizations with meaningful and efficient relief and development programs that are responding to the continuing crisis in Haiti. Charities are currently being identified whose relief programs best fit the Foundation’s vision of marshalling the support of the community for the benefit of the victims of disaster and poverty. Grants will soon be made and the funds put to work towards charitable and relief efforts. Until then, The Foundation will hold and guard the funds dedicated to this important work.

Upon its original release, We Are the World quickly became the fastest selling single in history and in the years that have followed, USA for Africa has raised and distributed more than $63 million in revenue from the sales of more than 7 million units of the album, single and cassettes, plus nearly 2 million digital sales and related merchandise. Just over half the total was spent on emergency relief (food, medicine, and refugee services) and the balance was used to support more than 500 different relief, rehabilitation and development projects in 18 different countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

The 25th Anniversary recording will help further the spirit of activism around the 25th Anniversary of We Are the World that was at the heart of the original song and movement.

We Are The World 25:Artist & Creative Roster

WYCLEF JEAN JANET JACKSON
P!NK CARLOS SANTANA
JENNIFER HUDSON JAMIE FOXX
SUGARLAND ADAM LEVINE
JASON MRAZ EARTH WIND & FIRE
NATALIE COLE THE JONAS BROTHERS
T PAIN BRIAN WILSON
JUSTIN BIEBER NICOLE SCHERZINGER
INDIA.ARIE JULIANNE HOUGH
MARY MARY MELANIE FIONA
BEBE WINANS MYA
TYRESE GIBSON ANTHONY HAMILTON
RAPHAEL SAADIQ GLADYS KNIGHT
KERI HILSON JOEL & BENJI MADDEN
HEART BRANDY
KIDADA JONES MUSIQ SOULCHILD
MILEY CYRUS AKON
JORDIN SPARKS CELINE DION
ROB THOMAS KATHARINE MCPHEE
JEFF BRIDGES RANDY JACKSON
BUSTA RHYMES KID CUDI
USHER WILL.I.AM
KANYE WEST LL COOL J
ISAAC SLADE (AKA THE FRAY) SNOOP DOGG
NICOLE RICHIE TREY SONGZ
ETHAN BORTNICK TARYLL JACKSON
TAJ JACKSON TJ JACKSON
VINCE VAUGHN DRAKE
FREDA PAYNE FAITH EVANS
ROBIN THICKE RASHIDA JONES
BARBRA STREISAND JIMMY JEAN LOUIS
ENRIQUE IGLESIAS ZAC BROWN
LIL WAYNE TONY BENNETT
JOSH GROBAN SEAN GARRETT
HARRY CONNICK, JR. AL JARDINE
BONE THUGS AND HARMONY (BIZZY BONES) AR RAHMEN
FERGIE MARY J BLIGE
ORIANTHI MANN
NIPSEY HUSSLE IYAZ
KEITH HARRIS NIKKA COSTA
TONI BRAXTON FARNSWORTH BENTLEY
PLAIN PAT IL TRIO