We Forward in This Generation Triumphantly

RED(WIRE) is a new digital magazine (what the hell does that even mean these days) that will feature exclusive songs and will ultimately benefit HIV-infected Africans. The nice thing about this venture - aside from the obvious good it's trying to do - is that it seems the songs will not be throwaways from third-rate artists.

U2, Coldplay, the Killers, the Dixie Chicks, John Legend, R.E.M. and Bob Dylan are on board for the initiative, which is an outgrowth of the Bono-reared activist organization (RED).

For $5, users will receive a new issue of RED(WIRE) every Wednesday, featuring an exclusive song from a major artist, a song from an artist (RED) aims to showcase, a multimedia piece that could encompass video or photography and a look at how proceeds are directly benefiting Africans in need. The materials will be downloaded to a custom player and automatically loaded into iTunes.

I don't know exactly what it means that it will be downloaded to a custom player and into iTunes (DRM-crippled?), but this thing has potential. The other feature is that you can forward two free issues to friends and if they join, you'll end up reaping some rewards from that.

Oh, and not mentioned are a couple tunes of Elvis Costello and the Police jamming. Good work!

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