Music producer Jimmy Jam working on new song to help fight hunger crisis. Here’s how you can be a part of it

LOS ANGELES — The last time we saw such a star-studded event to create a song with a purpose was probably in 1985 for “We Are the World,” which raised more than $80 million for humanitarian aid in Africa.

Now, legendary songwriting and production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are using their talents to fight the hunger crisis all around the world.

The new song – titled “The Next Verse” – is about to be recorded and includes some major in music, including Janet Jackson, Duran, Duran, Andrea Bocelli, Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder, will.i.am, Jewel, and John Legend, and many others.

The project will help Tony Robbins’ 100 Billion Meals Challenge.

“Tony called Dr. Dre and just said, ‘Hey, man, we’re doing this thing, what about it?’ and then Dre calls me and goes, ‘Hey Jam, what are we doing? What do you want to do?’ and I literally got a FaceTime showing me his studio and going, ‘We’ve got to mix the record here in my studio.’ It’s like, ‘Yeah, ok great!'”

Robbins’ meal challenge has already delivered about 62 billion meals over the last three years.

“Now because of the war in the Ukraine, most people don’t realize it’s the breadbasket for Africa, so there are about 11 nations on the verge of famine,” said Robbins.

Of course, we also know there is food insecurity in the U.S. as well.

“We’re making sure that at least 20% of all the proceeds stay right here in this country,” said Jam. ” We’re aligned with other food charities to make sure that happens. So, literally, the food shelf up the street is just as important as sending to Gaza or these other places, so I think it’s a well-intentioned program.”

Children involved with Culver City’s No Limits program for deaf children and families got together Thursday to record their part of the song.

Plus, you can be a part of it too!

You can join a special recording via Zoom on Tuesday, Dec. 16, and sing your heart out! You can visit 100billionmeals.org for everything you need to know to participate.

“We’re really doing this in front of the audience and bringing the world together in doing this,” said Jam.

“The Next Verse” will be released on Christmas Day.