AR Rahman joins hands with music icons to combat climate change

LOS ANGELES: Oscar and Grammy-winning composer A.R. Rahman has joined hands with some of the world’s most notable musicians to raise awareness about the perils of climate change.

The global project titled, ‘Hands Around The World.’ was officially launched on April 22nd, which marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

Rahman has teamed up with a variety of musicians and artists for this year-long project, which includes a new anthemic song featuring pop stars Natasha Bedingfield, Cody Simpson, soul musician MAJOR, opera icon Jonathan Cilia Faro, gospel singer Erica Atkins-Campbell of Mary Mary, and many more.

A.R. Rahman said in a press statement, “I am hopeful that our combination of using music and technology on this project will have this message resonate with the masses. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with so many incredible musicians from around the world.”

The campaign is championed by Ken Kragen, who created the historic 1985 global collaboration ‘We Are the World’ and ‘Hands across America’, and is the recipient of the United National Peace Medal.

Entertainment entrepreneur Neil Morgan has been brought on board. As part of this Earth Day 2020 initiative, Rahman also introduced the project via Instagram Live on April 22.

Ken Kragen said, “This new project will be a game-changer for the environmental issues that threaten every living thing on this planet. I’ve always said, it is easier to accomplish the impossible than the ordinary.”

Neil Morgan adds, “As an Australian, I have recently seen the devastating impacts of ravaging fires firsthand. We intend to use cutting-edge technology to unite people in a positive and fun way to connect people like never before and give our planet a giant hug.”

The project aims to put the spotlight on the need for people to stand by each other.  ‘Hands Around the World’ is officially endorsed by the legendary record producer Quincy Jones and the primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall, with support from top climate change scientists, NASA’s Thorsten Markus and leading climate specialist Professor Todd Crowley.

Rahman’s music team for ‘Hands Around the World’ includes producer Kevin Doucette, award-winning Polish composer Julia Zuzanna Sokolowska, and renowned K-pop songwriter Daniel Caesar.

The song lyrics have been written by Stephen Schwartz and the team and had its first recording session at filmtelevision composer Nathan Barr’s studios in Los Angeles in February.