Music

Lionel Richie receives Humanitarian Award for 'We Are the World'

Published Monday, Dec 5 2011, 19:45 GMT | By Kristina Bustos | Add comment

Hello... is it me you're looking for? Lionel Richie beams on the red carpet.

Lionel Richie is to be honoured today with this year's Peter J Gomes Humanitarian Award for his 1985 charity song 'We Are the World'.

The Peter J Gomes Humanitarian Award given by the Harvard Foundation is an annual prize recognising philanthropic efforts.

Written by Michael Jackson and Richie, 'We Are the World' was first recorded in 1985 for African famine relief. After the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, a remake titled 'We Are the World 25 for Haiti' was recorded with new artists.

Director of the Harvard Foundation, Dr. S. Allen Counter, said in a statement that Richie "has inspired many through his artistic and philanthropic endeavours".

The 62-year-old singer recently announced his plans to release his first country album, titled Tuskegee, in March 2012.

Last month, Richie performed a duet with Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Little Big Town at the 45th annual Country Music Association Awards.

Watch a video of 'We Are the World 25 for Haiti' below: