With some of the most accomplished percussionists on earth backing them up, Hunger Relief International (HRI) is launching Beat Hunger, a multi-media awareness and fundraising campaign, on October 18th, to benefit Haitians living in extreme poverty.
Using the hypnotic magic of percussive rhythms, Beat Hunger features an influential group of artists including GRAMMY award-winning percussionists, Stewart Copeland of The Police and Dame Evelyn Glennie, GRAMMY award-winning DJ, Mix Master Mike, legendary drummers Sheila E., Kenny Aronoff, and Stephen Perkins, and break-through talents, Kristen Gleeson-Prata of BØRNS, and Rico Nichols, drummer for Kendrick Lamar.
Haiti, just a two-hour flight from Miami, remains the poorest country in the Americas with over 6 million out of 10.4 million Haitians living below the national poverty line of $2.41 per day and over 2.5 million living below the national extreme poverty line of $1.23 per day. (Source: World Bank, updated Sep 21, 2018)
Founder of HRI, Rachel Zelon, said, “Hunger is on the rise around the world. Beyond the life and death scenarios, hunger prevents kids from developing and thriving to their full capacities. Haiti is our close neighbor – we at HRI are absolutely committed to help those impacted by extreme poverty, a group numbering in the millions. Our Haitian team works with the goal of ending chronic hunger and resolving food insecurity for the long term.” On the campaign, Zelon added, “We are extremely grateful to have assembled a wonderful group of musicians to bring attention to the ongoing difficulties facing Haitians.”
Stewart Copeland commented, “This is the proper use of a megaphone … we’re banging up a noise to get society to focus on what can be done to beat hunger on this earth.”
Dame Evelyn Glennie stated, “… the fact that the drum is universal and can stir people’s sense of well-being is a great way to capture attention for this cause!”
Beat Hunger was created and produced by Matt Williams of Addition Media.
