In late 2009, it was suggested to writer Lionel Richie and producer Quincy Jones that a re-cut version of “We Are the World” be re-released under the title “Live 25”. Following the 7.0 Mw earthquake in Haiti in early 2010, which devastated most of the country and killed thousands of people, it was agreed the song would be re-recorded by the new generation of music artists, in the hope of reaching a new generation and benefitting the people of Haiti. Like the marketing of “We Are the World”, a music video was made. Academy Award-winning film director Paul Haggis said he finished the video 12 hours early. Haitian film students were part of production crew. The official film for the song is formatted similar to the original, opening the song with the recording artists’ signatures around the title, then them performing their parts in the recording studio including Michael Jackson through archive footage. The video is intercut with clips showing people in Haiti after the earthquake.
