This initiative draws on the power of music, and the prominence of popular musicians, to communicate information about AIDS and poverty in an entertaining, inspiring way. The lyrics of the song invite people to stop being "victims of war, victims of poverty, victims of hunger", and to take individual responsibility to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS so that the disease will not affect the 2015 generation. The artists call on each person in Africa to "act as a tam-tam drum", passing the message on to those who have not yet heard it.

The song will be followed by an album that - in addition to a rap version of "We Are the Drums" in both English and French - will include about a dozen individual songs from what UNDP describes as world-renowned artists. The titles will be inspired by the MDGs themselves. The album will include both experienced performers and new talent.

HIV/AIDS, Poverty.

Africa 2015 was launched by UNDP and several other United Nations agencies in 2002. The advocacy campaign "is designed to create sustained awareness and engage multiple audiences and constituencies in fighting poverty and the spread HIV/AIDS." It seeks to mobilise Africans to intensify ongoing efforts to achieve the MDGs and to give rise to new initiatives. The musical artists involved in "We Are the Drums" are adding their voices to the continuing efforts of sports figures, youth, and writers to support Africa 2015.

The original music was composed by Manu Dibango and Ndjock, and arranged by Maiga and Dibango. Work on the project was coordinated by Africa Fête, a music production label, under the guidance of Mamadou Konté. Under the leadership of Boncana Maiga (Mali), the singers Achien'g Abura (Kenya), Mahmoud Ahmed (Ethiopia), Didier Awadi (Senegal), Chiwoniso (Zimbabwe), Jaojoby Eusebe (Madagascar), Coumba Gawlo Seck (Senegal), Salif Keita (Mali), Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Habib Koité (Mali), Ismaël Lô (Senegal), Cheb Mami (Algeria), Malouma (Mauritania), Meiway (Ivory Coast), Koffi Olomidé (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Saintrick (Congo) and Youssou N'Dour (Senegal) and Maal recorded the song in Dakar and Paris with Manu Dibango (Cameroon) on saxophone and Yves Ndjock (Cameroon) on guitar.

In the song's United States' debut, UNDP Youth Emissary Baaba Maal, a Senegalese musician, presented "We Are the Drums" during UNDP's Annual Poverty Eradication Awards ceremony on October 22 2004.