USA for Africa - We Are the World

Music 5 years ago

USA for Africa - We Are the World

We Are the World is a gospel pop song and charity single originally recorded by the supergroup United Support of Artists (USA) for Africa in 1985.

Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie wrote the song, Quincy Jones produced it while John Barnes handled the arrangement.

Activist Harry Belafonte and fundraiser Ken Kragen were the brains behind this historic project which brought together some of the most famous artists in the music industry at the time, and it was intended for African famine relief.

After its release, the single itself was a commercial success, topping music charts throughout the world and becoming the fastest-selling American pop single in history. It was also the first ever single to be certified multi-platinum and bagged a Quadruple Platinum certification in the US.

With three Grammy Awards, one American Music Award and one People’s Choice Award, there’s no denying this is one of the greatest songs ever made.

In 2010 however, following the devastation caused by the magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquakes in Haiti in January, a remake of the song by another all-star cast of singers titled We Are the World 25 for Haiti was recorded on February 1, 2010 and released as a single on February 12, 2010.

Proceeds from the record aided survivors in the country.