YouTube videos are becoming an increasingly popular way to generate awareness for causes. Recent natural disasters, such as the earthquakes in Haiti and Japan and the floods in Pakistan, led to a slew of charitable uploads.
This list picks out 12 of the best, most interesting or just plain popular charity-focused videos on YouTube. Surprisingly, a large portion of our picks are charity singles released by popular artists in support of timely causes.
The charity single phenomenon long predates the video sharing network. In 1979, a group of artists including ABBA, the Bee Gees and Earth Wind & Fire jammed in the U.N. General Assembly Hall as part of The Music for UNICEF Concert: A Gift of Song. Not only did the perfomance kick off the U.N.’s Year of the Child, a call to protect and support children’s rights, but it started a movement of charity single copycats.
YouTube has created more opportunities for charity singles, but our top videos for social good do more than raise money for their selected campaigns. This list showcases videos that integrate their cause into the viewing experience in the hope of making a greater impact.
Here are the 12 YouTube videos that stand out for their commitment to humanitarian causes. They are ranked according to views, although that alone did not qualify a video for the list. Let us know in the comments what you think of the list, and whether we missed any video or cause that matters to you.
1. "We Are The World," 25 For Haiti
Cause: We Are The World Foundation
Views: 83,529,900+
Why it does good: Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones launched a foundation for rebuilding Haiti with this remake of Michael Jackson's famous 1985 single. More than 80 artists collaborated to make this tribute to the island nation. Initially released to aid Ethiopian famine, Michael Jackson's "We Are The World" raised $63 million.
2. "Oh Africa," Akon
Cause: Konfidence
Views: 24,260,500+
Why it does good: Akon, a Senegali artist, made this video to benefit Konfidence, his charitable organization. It combines African costume, dance and drumming. Akon highlights positive elements of his rich cultural heritage rather than dwelling on the poverty he's trying to end.
3. "Wavin' Flag," Young Artists For Haiti
Cause: Free the Children, War Child Canada and World Vision Canada
Views: 13,989,900+
Why it does good: This YouTube cover of K'naan's World Cup 2010 hit "Wavin' Flag" is a tribute to the victims of the January 2010 earthquake. K'naan, a Somalia native, opens the video by handing off his song to the people of Haiti.
4. "Honk For Japan," Ryan Higa
Cause: American Red Cross Relief for Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami
Views: 7,048,600+
Why it does good: Ryan Higa calls on his online following of almost 4 million people to help raise money for Japan. The video highlights his creative street campaign: Higa pledged to contribute $10 for every honk and another $600 for every million views.
5. "It Gets Better," Dan and Terry
Cause: It Gets Better Project
Views: 1,519,400+
Why it does good: Author and columnist Dan Savage and his partner Terry recorded this video to let young LGBT youth know that their lives will get better after high school. After sharing their story, It Gets Better became a worldwide movement -- everyone from President Barack Obama to pop artist Ke$ha has recorded messages of encouragement to children facing harassment.
6. "You Are Not Alone," The X Factor
Cause: Great Ormand Street Hospital
Views: 1,016,300+
Why it does good: For the past three seasons, the finalists on this British reality show have recorded a song for a charitable cause. We chose this remake of the Michael Jackson hit since it's the most viewed of the X Factor's charity singles.
7. "Earth Day Remix," Biz Markie
Cause: Repower America
Views: 1,085,400+
Why it does good: Hip hop DJ Biz Markie remixed his hit song "Just a Friend" in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. As funny as the video is, it sends a serious message: We require clean energy.
8. "One Voice," The Bilz & Kashif
Cause: War Child Canada
Views: 580,000+
Why it does good: This video was inspired by the November 29, 2009 terror attacks in Mumbai. It is an extension of both artists' campaigns to support children in war-ravaged regions. Their music video is a tribute to the victims of the attack as well as a call to improve the lives of children in regions of ongoing conflict.
9. "Everybody Hurts," Helping Haiti
Cause: The Disasters Emergency Committee and The Sun's Helping Haiti appeal
Views: 412,400+
Why it does good: "Everybody Hurts" is the last of the three star-studded Haiti earthquake relief videos to make this list. The heartfelt video integrates news footage and documentary photography into a cover of REM's "Everybody Hurts."
10. "Gracias a La Vida," Voces Unidas Por Chile
Cause: Habitat for Humanity
Views: 315,500+
Why it does good: Images of the strength of the Chilean people uniting after the February 2010 earthquake alternate with shots of famous Hispanic artists including Juanes, Julieta Venegas and Juan Luis Guerra. The video plays up national solidarity rather than the destruction caused by the quake.
11. "Rise Again, Japan!," Rise Again Project
Cause: Relief for the earthquake and tsunami in Japan
Views: 297,600+
Why it does good: This video from New York City to the victims of the Japan quake sends a simple message: NYC is here to help Japan rebuild. Celebs Robin Williams and Ice-T, along with fundraisers in Union Square, joined forces in this artfully edited donation campaign that promotes a number of relief organizations.
12. "Hear Your Call," Sami Yusuf
Cause: Save the Children's emergency relief efforts in Pakistan.
Views: 254,800+
Why it does good: Following the floods that left one-fifth of Pakistan under water in August 2010, Yusuf recorded this charity single that combines original composition with photos of the destruction. As an artist who regularly lends his musical talents toward charitable causes, this video makes our list because Yusuf's success brought attention to a cause that has lagged behind other global relief efforts.
More About: charity, charity singles, music, non-profit, social good, youtube
For more Social Good coverage:
- Follow Mashable Social Good on Twitter
- Become a Fan on Facebook
- Subscribe to the Social Good channel
- Download our free apps for Android, Mac, iPhone and iPad
Continue Reading...
