As music's top artists gathered Monday to re-record the 1985 hit "We Are the World" to benefit the Haitian relief efforts, a spotlight has been cast on the original's mission to fight hunger in Africa. It's been 25 years since its release, but where do the proceeds go now?
Answer: still fighting hunger in Africa.
A spokesman for the organization USA for Africa confirmed proceeds from the original version of "We Are The World" continue to come in. Following the death of Michael Jackson, contributions increased.
Since the release of the song, the organization has earned and spent $63 million from sales of more than 7 million units of the album, single and cassettes and related merchandise, plus nearly 2 million digital sales, according to the organizations website.
Half was spent on emergency relief and the balance on 500 projects in 18 African countries and 250 Africa-focused programs in the U.S., Canada and Europe, the site said.
