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Pop Stars Release Song to Raise Funds for London Fire Victims


Rapper Stormzy performs on stage at the Brit Awards 2017 in London, Feb. 22, 2017.
Rapper Stormzy performs on stage at the Brit Awards 2017 in London, Feb. 22, 2017.

Some of the biggest names in British music, including Stormzy, Robbie Williams and The Who, released a charity single on Wednesday to raise funds for people affected by the fire at a tower block in west London.

The song, a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” also features performances from Leona Lewis, James Blunt and a large choir made up of local people, some of whom survived the blaze.

Demonstrators demand justice for the victims of the recent deadly apartment block fire at Grenfell Tower, after marching to parliament in London, June 21, 2017. The mass "Day of Rage" demonstration is timed to coincide with the state opening of parliament.
Demonstrators demand justice for the victims of the recent deadly apartment block fire at Grenfell Tower, after marching to parliament in London, June 21, 2017. The mass "Day of Rage" demonstration is timed to coincide with the state opening of parliament.

Many people remain missing

A total of 79 people died in the fire, which swept through the 24-storey Grenfell tower on June 14th. Many people are still unaccounted for and authorities have suggested that the death toll will continue to rise as rescue workers continue to search.

The single is an initiative of pop impresario and TV talent show judge Simon Cowell.

In a departure from the original version of the song, Cowell's version opens with grime artist Stormzy rapping: "That could have been me up there / waving my white plain tee up there,” a reference to people trapped in the blaze.

Positive reaction

Reaction to the song on social media was generally positive, with Twitter user Sarah Styles saying the song was “absolutely beautiful,” while user Amy Elizabeth said the song left her “covered in goosebumps.”

The song was made available for sale and radio play on Wednesday and Cowell tweeted that a video would premiere on British television that evening.

All proceeds from the song are to go to the London Community Foundation.

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    Reuters

    Reuters is a news agency founded in 1851 and owned by the Thomson Reuters Corporation based in Toronto, Canada. One of the world's largest wire services, it provides financial news as well as international coverage in over 16 languages to more than 1000 newspapers and 750 broadcasters around the globe.

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