Global Citizen and Sony Music Latin have teamed up in the fight against COVID-19, with the release of a brand-new version of Diego Torres’ classic song “Color Esperanza” (“The Color Hope”) on Monday to support coronavirus relief in the Americas. 

The 2020 version of “Color Esperanza” features some of the biggest names in Latin music alongside Diego Torres: Angela Torres, Ara Malikian, Camila​, Camilo​, Carlos Rivera, Carlos Vives​, Coti, Dani Martín, Diego Torres, Dilsinho, El Cigala, Farruko, Fonseca, Gente de Zona, Ivete Sangalo, Jorge Villamizar, Kany García, Lali, Leonel García, Leslie Grace, Manuel Turizo, Mau and Ricky​, Nicky Jam​, Pedro Capó, Prince Royce, Rauw Alejandro, REIK, Río Roma, Rubén Blades, and Thalía.

All royalties and proceeds from the song will be donated to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)’s COVID-19 relief efforts throughout the Americas. You can stream the song on all digital platforms — including Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Deezer, Pandora, and Amazon — and watch the music video and join the movement at coloresperanza.me.

“For so long, ‘Color Esperanza’ has shined as a beacon of hope for music fans everywhere,” said Alex Gallardo, president of Sony Music US Latin. “We’re honored to team up with Global Citizen to introduce a new version of this classic to the next generation and support the fight against COVID-19 together. Music still brings hope when we need it the most.”

Torres first released “Color Esperanza” in 2002. For nearly 20 years, the song has empowered listeners across Latin America, the US, and beyond as an anthem for various social causes and movements. It became the official soundtrack for several protests across Latin America when different crises hit hard; now, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the song plays again from balconies as a symbol of hope. 

“Color Esperanza” is so popular that Diego Torres even performed it in front of Pope John Paul II in May 2003, on his visit to Spain.

In addition to the song streaming on all major digital platforms, Global Citizen and Sony Music released an exclusive episode in the style of One World: Together At Home to debut the music video, as well as featuring musical performances by more incredible Latino artists and stories of heroic frontline workers in the region. Fans can watch the special episode on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram, and local TV stations.

“Global Citizen is proud to join forces with Sony Music Latin to celebrate frontline health care workers around the world and support PAHO’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen. “We must continue to work together as a global community to address the current crisis and invest in the solutions required to stop another pandemic before it starts.”

The COVID-19 crisis is devastating Latin America’s regional economies. The economic fallout from the coronavirus could add 9 million people to Mexico's poor, according to a recent government study. Venezuela is ranked by the UN to be one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to coronavirus. And in Colombia, red pieces of cloth hung from windows now symbolize families and households facing hunger.

PAHO has called on donors and partners to expand the capacity of the countries of the Americas to respond to COVID-19. The response strategy has two main objectives: to stop the transmission of the virus and to mitigate the health impact of COVID-19 in the region. To support critical response efforts in the countries that need aid the most, an initial $94.8 million is needed through September 2020.

The more fans stream the audio and watch the video, the more funds will be generated for PAHO through streaming and viewing proceeds.

“We applaud Sony Music Latin and Global Citizen for bringing hope to the people of the Americas through music, and we are thankful to all the fans that, through this song, will help save lives from COVID-19 in the region of the Americas,” said Dr. Carissa F. Etienne, director of the Pan American Health Organization.

“The funds raised by this new version of ‘Color Esperanza’ will allow PAHO to continue supporting our countries in their response to the pandemic, especially for the most vulnerable populations in every corner of our region.”

Join the movement at coloresperanza.me — and let the music do the rest.

Editorial

Defeat Poverty

Sony Music Latin & Global Citizen Release New 'Color Esperanza' Track to Support COVID-19 Relief

By Erica Sánchez