April 16, 2010 (Free-Press-Release.com) — TV producer and photographer Mark Lugo visited Haiti with his Swedish friend, Petter Lambertz, a few days after the 2010 Haiti earthquake that devastated the Haitian capital of Port au Prince. Initially, the two were not interested in anything but offering the little bit of help they could offer to the people of the Haiti. After a few days of traveling the back roads of Haiti to get to the capital, Mark noticed a certain vibe that the Haitian people had to them. It was a survivor’s heart and strong positive vibe that he noticed. From the family walking to church to the guy selling time on a portable cell phone on the street. The vibe was “go foward” and “keep going”. So Mark started to snapping a few pictures of what he saw. “I wanted this always remind me of what I witnessed in Haiti”, he said. “I want this remind me that no matter how bad it gets, one must continue to be strong”, he added.
The pair delivered tents and medicines to the people of Haiti. The important part making friends during struggling times…that was the most important part of it all, Lugo stated as looking at the photos of Haiti on his computer.
On January 28, 1985, a day after the American Music Awards, stars gathered in Jim Henson studios under the direction Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie to record “We Are The World.” The goal was to raise money and awareness about hunger in Africa. Proceeds were donated to the newly formed charity, at the time, USA for Africa (www.usaforafrica.org). To date, over $63 million dollars have been raised from this original recording co-written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson.
Almost precisely 25 years later, dozens of entirely different stars gathered again in Jim Henson studios under the same direction of Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie to re-record “We Are The World.” Proceeds from the version of the recording will go into a yet to be named fund to raise money for victims of the earthquake that ravaged Haiti on January 12, 2010. The song underwent some lyrics tweaking from Will.I.Am who added a little rap to the song as well as Lionel Richie. Janet Jackson, who was not part of the 1985 recording, has been asked to sing her deceased brother Michael Jackson’s parts that he delivered in the original song although she was not present at yesterday’s (February 2, 2010) recording session. The song will debut at the 2010 Winter Olympics on February 12, 2010.
Lil Wayne apparently speculated as to why the earthquake in Haiti was the premise for the song’s revival as opposed to Hurricane Katrina that ravaged the Gulf region back in 2005.
Here’s a news report from Good Day LA…
Here is some footage of the recording day from the Associated Press…
NEW YORK—The following is a statement by Wyclef Jean on yesterday’s magnitude 7.0 earthquake outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti:
“Haiti yesterday faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced.
The magnitude 7.0 earthquake – and several very strong aftershocks – struck only 10 miles from Port-au-Prince.
I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now.
President Obama has already said that the U.S. stands ‘ready to assist’ the Haitian people. The U.S. Military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible.”
Many people have already reached out to see what they can do right now. We are asking those interested to please do one of two things: Either you can use your cell phone to text “Yele” to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (it will be charged to your cell phone bill), or you can visit www.yele.org and click on DONATE.
50% of your donation (less Pay Pal fees) will go to Emerge Global charity (http://emergeglobal.org/). The other 50% funds the sweat equity I put into my work for your enjoyment. My hope is that one day I will be able to donate 100% to charity.
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