A catastrophic earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Haiti January 12, 2010. More than 50 aftershocks followed measuring 4.5 or higher. The result was utter destruction and in the range of 200,000 people dead. The music industry mobilized in the wake of the earthquakes to put together benefit projects to assist the Haiti earthquake victims. This is a guide to those projects.
1. Hope For Haiti Now
Courtesy MTV Networks
On January 22, 2010, a charity telethon titled Hope For Haiti Now was held. It included performances by more than 20 artists. The event raised over $60 million and is considered the most widely broadcast telethon in history. Recordings of the performances were released digitally as the Hope For Haiti Now album. It became the first digital only album to top the Billboard album chart.
- Watch Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris sing "Hallelujah"
2. "We Are the World" 25th Anniversary
Photo courtesy Getty Images
25 years ago more than 40 star musicians came together and created magic in the studio to support the famine relief effort in Africa. They recorded the song "We Are the World" written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. It sold more than 20 million copies and raised over $60 million for humanitarian aid.
The possibility of a re-recording of the song to celebrate the anniversary was already in the works for the spring of 2010. However, the catastrophe in Haiti made the entire project seem much more urgent. More than 80 performers were gathered in the studio on February 1, 2010, the day after the Grammy Awards to create a new version of "We Are the World" to benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
3. "Everybody Hurts" Charity Single
Courtesy Sony
At the request of the UK's prime minister Gordon Brown and others, Simon Cowell put together a charity single to benefit Haiti's earthquake victims. More than 20 artists joined in recording a new version of R.E.M.'s song "Everybody Hurts." It will be released in the UK February 8, 2010. Susan Boyle, Mariah Carey, Michael Buble, Cheryl Cole, and Robbie Williams are among the artists participating.
4. SOS Saving Our Selves - Help For Haiti
Courtesy BET Networks
On February 5, 2010, the BET television network will host a two hour telethon and concert from Miami Florida to benefit Haiti's earthquake victims. The musical focus will be R&B and Mary J. Blige, Justin Bieber, Drake, Keri Hilson, and Robin Thicke are among those expected to perform. The event will air live on BET, MTV, VHI, and Centric at 8 p.m. ET.
5. Oxfam Music Memorabilia Auction
Courtesy Oxfam UK
The relief organization Oxfam has been auctioning a wide range of music celebrity memorabilia through eBay. All proceeds will benefit Haiti's earthquake victims.
6. Download To Donate For Haiti
Courtesy Musicforrelief.org
Linkin Park are collaborating with the All-American Rejects, Alanis Morissette, Enrique Iglesias, Peter Gabriel, Kenna, the Dave Matthews Band, Slash, Beth Hart, and Hoobastank on a project called Download To Donate For Haiti.
All of the participating artists have donated previously unreleased music that is now available via the Music for Relief website. The songs are available to download and then those who have downloaded the music are encouraged to donate what they can with 100% of the proceeds going to support the victims of Haiti's earthquake.
7. Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli - "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
Courtesy Geffen Records
Mary J. Blige joined Andrea Bocelli to perform Simon and Garfunkel's classic "Bridge Over Troubled Water" at the 2010 Grammy Awards. The performance was made available for purchase on iTunes. All proceeds from the sales will benefit Haiti earthquake victims.
Watch "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
8. Rihanna's "Redemption Song" and Maxwell's "Fistful of Tears"
Courtesy Island Def Jam
