Do you have a $1.29 to spare? If you do, then I can’t imagine a better way for you to spend it than to purchase the newly released single “Almost Like Praying.” It is a beautifully written song that Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote as a fundraising tribute to Puerto Rico. All proceeds raised by the song go to the Hispanic Federation’s disaster relief fund to support Puerto Rico.
The song was born from Miranda’s desire to help Puerto Rico after the devastation that Hurricane Maria wrought. “I was like every Puerto Rican with ties to the island, with family on the island. We all had a terrible few days of silence. For some, those days were weeks,” Miranda told The Associated Press. “For me, that helplessness turned into, ‘OK, well what can I write that will help? Can I write a tune that we can monetize?’”
With the help of Atlantic Records, Miranda was able to bring together an astounding number of stars who recorded “Almost Like Praying” in just 72 hours. The results are truly touching and inspiring; they are an act of love, compassion and community.
The song, which contains a sample of “Maria” from “West Side Story,” is sung by Lin-Manuel Miranda and get ready for this list of blow-your-mind collaborators:
- Marc Anothony
- Ruben Blades
- Camila Cabello
- Pedro Capo
- Dessa
- Gloria Estefan
- Fat Joe
- Luis Fonsi
- Juan Luis Guerra
- Alex Lacamoire
- John Leguizamo
- Rita Moreno
- Ednita Nazario
- Joell Ortiz
- Anthony Ramos
- Gina Rodrigues (Yes, THAT Gina Rodriguez. The one from “Jane the Virgin.” She raps.)
- Gilberto Santa Rosa
- PJ Sin Suela
- Tommy Torres
- Ana Villafañe
Embedded in the songs lyrics are the names of all 78 towns in Puerto Rico. “This song is designed so that those towns never feel forgotten again,” he said. “I cannot wait for Puerto Ricans to hear Luis Fonsi sing the name of their town or J.Lo to sing the name of their town.”
And, yes, the song is for a good cause. Scratch that, it’s for a GREAT cause! The bonus is that it’s also a great song.
ALSO READ: Be the Kind Stranger and Stop Victim Blaming Puerto Rico
Watch the video:
Buy “Almost Like Praying” now.
You can buy “Almost Like Praying” here.
Images via Atlantic Records/YouTube
This post is a part of The Flying Chancla Report series where me and my flying chancla share things that you will give a flying chancla about.
I love you mucho and remember, spread love, not chanclazos!
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