Twenty-six years after producing the iconic song "We Are the World" — to help raise money for AIDS in Africa — Quincy Jones is now setting his sights on the Arab world.
The legendary producer is teaming up with some of the biggest names in Arab music to produce a charity song meant to help a new generation of Arabic artists. Jones and Emirarti social entrepreneur Badr Jafar collaborated on the single "Bokra," an Arabic version of Jones' song "Tomorrow (A Better You, a Better Me)."
"I have long been a vocal proponent of music and the arts being a great asset in building bridges between people and cultures," Jones says. "I believe that given a choice, people want to live in a world of peace and prosperity, and it is my hope that this song will serve as a clarion call for the people of the Middle East and North Africa who share that desire for peace, hope, unity and a better tomorrow to come together to achieve that dream."
The proceeds from the single are expected to finance educational arts and culture scholarships for children in North Africa and the Middle East. "Bokra" is set to be released after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which will run through August.
We can agree with Jones on the fact that music does bridge gaps. We're not exactly sure how big an impact a song may have on a region facing so much turmoil, but it never hurts to try. If anything, this song will definitely serve as great inspiration to Arab youths.
Read more at CNN.
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