hˈæɹi bᵻlˈæfɔnt kˈɑːntæktᵻd kɹˈeɪdʒən, hˌuː wʌz ðˈɛn mˈænɪdʒɪŋ lˈaɪənəl ɹˈɪtʃi ænd kˈɛni ɹˈɑːdʒɚz, ɐbˌaʊt pˈʊɾɪŋ təɡˌɛðɚɹ ɐ kˈɑːnsɚt tə hˈɛlp ɹˈeɪz mˈʌni fɔːɹ ˈæfɹɪkən kˈɔːzᵻz.
Harry Belafonte contacted Kragen, who was then managing Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers, about putting together a concert to help raise money for African causes.