David Archuleta of "American Idol" fame, poses for photographers on
the red carpet as he goes in to record the Spanish language version of
"We Are The World" (Somos el Mundo) with other top Latin music
artists Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
'We Are the World' Spanish version, 'Somos el Mundo,' performers - complete list - On Friday, led by singer Gloria Estefan and her husband Emilio, several Latin musical performers and artists gathered together in the Sports Hall of American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida to record the philanthropic anthem, "We Are the World" in Spanish for Haitian earthquake relief. The project was conducted with the full support of Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie and the We Are the World Foundation.
Just days after the digital formats of "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" song and video were released around the world, producer Emilio Estefan conducted a Spanish version adapted by him and Gloria Estefan with over 100 Latin musical artists, according to Univision. (The number so far, however, appears to be something like half that).
According to Billboard.com, this will be the first time "We Are the World" has been recorded in a language other than English. Friday night was chosen as the date on which to do the recording because many Latin singers were in Miami that day for Univision's Premio Lo Nuestro.
The first "We Are the World" was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie in 1985 and sung by over 40 musical artists for African famine relief. "We Are the World 25 for Haiti," produced at the 25th anniversary of the song, had double that number of artists involved.
According to Univision, which will distribute "Somos el Mundo," Mr. Estefan said about the project, "This sends a message of unity. No matter where you are, is the Latino voice. As [We Are The World] was number one in the world, I think it will again be number one with all Hispanics."
Puerto Rican star Chayanne said, "What I need is to help. I am moved to recall [the original] 'We Are The World' and now I am excited to help a neighboring country, like Haiti."
Luis Enrique sang the line originally sung by Kenny Rogers 25 years ago and said that he was very happy to be one of the voices that "will speak for Haiti."
According to Billboard, the song and video will debut on March 1st on Univision's popular television show, Cristina, and will be followed by a special "Making Of" video. The song will be available for download after that on iTunes. All proceeds will go to the Haiti effort; the performances were all given on a volunteer basis.
To date, here is a listing of the performers who participated that is available so far. More names will be added to this list as they become available:
“Somos el Mundo” Performers
- Andy Garcia
- Emilio Estefan
- Gloria Estefan
- Jencarlos Canela
- Chayanne
- Ricardo Montaner
- Milly Quezada
- Fonseca
- Willy Chirinos
- Lisette
- Eddy Herrera
- Pee Wee
- Alacranes Musical
- Jorge Villamizar
- Fernando Villalona
- Aleks Syntek
- Eiza Gonzalez
- Christian Chavez
- Kany Garcia
- David Archuleta
- Lizzet Archuleta
- Jose Luis Rodriguez, “El Puma”
- Angelica Vale
- Angelica Maria
- Luis Enrique
- Natalia Jimenez
- Johnny Pacheco
- Ednita Narario
- Banda El Recodo
- Carlos Santana
- Gilberto Santa Rosa
- Sergio Mayer
- Arthur Hanlon
- Jose Feliciano
- Jon Secada
- Joan Secada
- Thalia
- Luis Fonsi
- Critian Castro
- A B Quintanilla
- Ana Barbara
- Kat de Luna
- Paty Manterola
- Ojeda
- Poncho Lizarraga
- Juanes (involved but not present at choir recording)
- Shakira (involved but not present at choir recording)
- K-Paz de la Sierra
- Ricky Martin
- Taboo (of the Black Eyed Peas)
- Pitbull
- Alejandro Fernandez
- Vincente Fernandez
- Tito El Bambino
- Olga Tanon
- Jorge Celedon
- Paulina Rubio
- Jennifer Lopez
- Marc Anthony
SEE ALSO:
'We Are the World' - SNL parody takes jab at remake for Haiti (VIDEO)
'We Are the World 25 for Haiti' performers - complete list
'We Are the World' old and new - complete performers list for both versions
Michael Jackson included on 'We Are the World 25 for Haiti' song and video
Michael Jackson's and Lionel Richie's 'We Are the World' - original version (VIDEO)
Michael Jackson's and Lionel Richie's 'We Are the World' remade for Haiti earthquake relief
'We Are the World 25 for Haiti' premiere details - right before Olympics Opening Ceremonies
Connie Ann Kirk is a published author of 10 books. She is currently working on a novel and a screenplay. See all of Connie's Arts & Entertainment columns at these pages: National Books on Film Examiner , National Literature Examiner, and National Young Adult Pop Culture Examiner . Feel free any time to also check out her website.
Email Connie at ConnieAnnKirkOnExaminer@gmail.com.
Comments
That an adorable pic of David, he still has his chipmonk(sp?) cheeks!
My Spanish is quite poor but still can't wait to hear the song. Hope it's better than the English version of watw.
Oh I'm excited to see David Archuleta's name on the list! He's incredibily talented and has a heart of gold! It's amazing how he can sing many genres of music and also jump from English to Spanish!
I was so happy to see that David Archuleta got to be a part of this project lending his voice to the group of other outstanding artists. I’m a huge fan of David’s so am excited to see and hear the final version of the song…and all for such an amazing charity. David is always so good about sharing his voice and personality for great causes. I just think David is a really phenomenal musical artist and am happy he was able to do this event in between writing a book and writing and recording a new album.
Thank you for this article. I'm sorry that there is even a reason to be re-recording this song, and I hope that it makes a dent in helping the people of Haiti. Having said that, I'm sooo excited that David is helping out! He has such an amazing voice, and I know he'll do the song justice. Thanks for putting this together, Emillio & Gloria Estefan.
Why do we have a totally separate "HIspanic" activity for every occasion in this country? Aren't we all Americans? Are we Americans and/Hispanic??? Like the good old days: Whites and Colored". When was this officially concieved?? And by whom?? Which Constitutional Amendment brought this about??? All I know is that a lot of people fought and sacrificed their lives for "Equality"(Martin Luther King & others,)as opposed to "Separate but Equal" . Even so-called Blacks militants were out-maneuvered, out-voted, vilified and even murdered (Black Panthers & others) for wanting just that: "Separate but Equal". It just does not please me at all as an American of LATINO decent to accept this free pass to live in the US for all intents and purposes as "officially" SEPARATE BUT EQUAL. Even the original Americans, the American Indians never got that deal... Please!!!!!! Someone enlighten me!
Mario in Miami
The Estefans are ridiculous!I am so sick and tired of them trying to get their hands in every pot. It's like musical mafia with those people! Anyone trying to make it in the mainstream that started off as purely spanish singers seem to have to go through them to obtain "mainstream success." And now, they are using the Haitian tragedy for their gain...shame on them! Besides, why don't they come up with something ORIGINAL?
For if u havent read it wasnt the estefans that had the idea to put this song together in spanish, it was Lionel Richie's idea and he called on the estefans to help put it all together.
Oh please! fooey you say the Estefans had only personal interest in mind doing this, but what about Justin Bieber; he certainly must have been looking forward to the exposure! By the way the English version left much to be desired, in truth it was pretty darn bad. The Spanish version "Somos el mundo" just premiered and it is better by far. These artists in general are higher quality performers. Why shouldn't the Estefans had made their own version when in a song titled "We are the world" the only people represented are black and white people. By the way Enrique Iglesias isn't Latino; he is a Spaniard, which means European. Total snubbing of Latinos. This is to show that if society won't include Latinos in any of its "grand statements" even those of sympathy or charity, then we'll gladly include ourselves or make our own.
can't forget daddy yankee in the list
he's got an insane verse, even though i don't understand it :P
oh and i can't find where jennifer lopez, kat deluna and taboo are
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