Songs For Japan Raises $5 Million For Earthquake Relief

Compilation features tracks from Lady Gaga, Madonna, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber and more.
By Gil Kaufman

<i>Songs For Japan</i>
Photo: EMI Music Group

Thanks to strong sales that have kept it in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and the iTunes download chart, the Songs for Japan compilation has raised $5 million to date for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

The compilation was released on March 25 by a group comprised of all four major labels, According to a Reuters report, organizers said the Japanese Red Cross Society received a $2 million payment last month on behalf of the featured artists, songwriters, labels, publishers and iTunes; all waived their royalties and proceeds. Another payment of $3 million was made on Monday.

Originally released as a digital collection on iTunes priced at $9.99, the 38-track compilation is also available as a two-CD set, featuring a one-of-a-kind collection of songs by some of the biggest artists in pop and rock history. Among the tunes on the collection are John Lennon's "Imagine," Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable," Katy Perry's "Firework," Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You," Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie," Nicki Minaj's "Save Me," Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," Justin Bieber's "Pray" and Adele's "Make You Feel My Love."

Other artists on the collection include Shakira, Ne-Yo, Elton John, Queen, Foo Fighters, Sade, R.E.M., Bon Jovi, Lady Antebellum, Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Josh Groban, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, U2 and Bruno Mars.

To date, more than 500,000 copies have been sold in all formats.

A number of artists stepped forward to do their part to help Japan recover from the devastating 9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck in early March. Perry offered some merchandise from her shows to relief efforts, the Jonas Brothers and others offered messages of hope and everyone from Blink-182's Mark Hoppus to Conan O'Brien, Gaga, Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda and Charlie Sheen made efforts to raise funds for the disaster's victims.

For more information on what you can do to help with earthquake and tsunami relief efforts in Japan, head to MTV Act, or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1663215/songs-for-japan-earthquake-relief.jhtml

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