| "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" | ||||
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| Single by Artists for Haiti | ||||
| Released | February 12, 2010 | |||
| Recorded | February 1, 2010 | |||
| Studio | Henson, Hollywood | |||
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| Label | Interscope | |||
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| Artists for Haiti singles chronology | ||||
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| "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" on YouTube | ||||
"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" is a charity single recorded by the supergroup Artists for Haiti in 2010. It is a remake of the song "We Are the World", which was written by American musicians Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and was recorded by USA for Africa in 1985 to benefit famine relief in Africa. Initially, in late 2009, it had been suggested to Richie and Quincy Jones—producer of the original "We Are the World"—that a re-cut version of the song be re-released under the title "Live 25". Following the magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake in Haiti in early 2010, which devastated most of the country and killed thousands of people, it was agreed that the song would be re-recorded by new artists, in the hope that it would reach a new generation and help benefit the people of Haiti.
The song was recorded in 14.5 half hours by over 80 artists on February 1, 2010. It was produced by Quincy Jones, and executively produced by Lionel Richie, and Haitian-American musician Wyclef Jean. A music video directed by Canadian filmmaker Paul Haggis was released to accompany and promote the song. The song was also recorded in the Spanish language by a Latin supergroup and was titled "Somos el Mundo". The song was directed by Emilio Estefan and his wife Gloria.
"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" is musically structured similar to "We Are the World", but includes a rap verse that was written by some of the song's hip hop artists such as will.i.am. Michael Jackson died the year before the song's release, but his material from the 1985 (original) recording sessions was incorporated into the song and music video, per the request of his mother, Katherine. His sister Janet duets with him on the song, and his nephews Taj, TJ, and Taryll—collectively known as 3T—feature on the track's chorus.
"We Are the World 25 for Haiti" was released on February 12, 2010, during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics, as a download by Interscope Records. The song was panned by music reviewers, with criticism focused on the song's new musical additions, as well as the choice of artists who appear on the track. However, the song was commercially successful worldwide, charting within the top 20 in several countries.