Public Enemy frontman Chuck D is coming to the aid of the people of Haiti via the power of music and the Internet.
The rapper/activist assembled artists on his SLAMjamz record label for Kombit pou Haiti, a new album featuring material created to help raise money for the ongoing recovery effort in the ravaged country. According to sources, Chuck D got the idea for the album in the hours following the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that destroyed much of Haiti, killing at least 150,000 people to date and injuring almost 200,000 people.
Within 24 hours of being asked, songs were submitted by artists featured on Kombit pou Haiti. The album’s title is loosely translated to mean “coming together for the good of Haiti.”
In addition to Chuck D, those appearing on the nine-song release include MC Hi- Coup, Dominican roots band Pa’lo Monte, Kyle Jason and Public Enemy DJ Johnny Juice Rosado. Costs to master Kombit pou Haiti as well as studio time for the artists were donated by Earle Holder of HDQRTZ as well as the album’s artwork, which was done by graphic artist Kelvin Fonville.
With strides made over the years in technology and communication, Chuck D feels the time is now for people to “come together with extraordinary urgency to address an emergency like this.”
“Since many cannot be there to physically help, the gift of music is something that we realized can give for fundraising efforts,” said the music veteran, who recruited Rosado to assemble artists for and produce Kombit pou Haiti. “There are many organizations reaching out to the call - Wyclef Jean and his Yéle Haiti, in particular, have been working tirelessly for the Haitian people for many years - we hope you support any one of these organizations. It will take an infrastructure of many to help bring Haiti back up.”
Kombit pou Haiti is currently available on iTunes and Tune Core. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the album will benefit the Lambi Fund of Haiti, an organization dedicated to helping Haitian communities rebuild and recover through building economic community enterprises such as sugar mills, grain mills and small businesses as well as planting crops to sustain local communities.
In addition, the Lambi Fund of Haiti is coordinating second responder efforts that are set to begin once emergency rescue and assistance operations in Haiti have stabilized.
The following is the tracklisting for Kombit pou Haiti:
1. This Bit of Earth Mista Chuck featuring Kyle Jason and DJ Johnny Juice Rosado
2. Help Is On The Way Heet Mob
3. Knockin' On The Lord's Hi-Coup
4. Find My Way Home Kyle Jason
5. Faith Dontique
6. La Misere Lowdown
7. Why Y'all Wanna Kill GOD? Professor Griff featuring the 7th Octave
8. Raise Up Son of Bazerk and the No Self Control Band
9. Candelo Pa’Lo Monte
