Before leaving for Johannesburg, Simon contributed to "We Are the World", a charity single benefiting African famine relief. Simon spoke to "We Are the World" producers Quincy Jones and Harry Belafonte about recording in South Africa; they encouraged him to go. The South African black musicians' union also voted to let Simon come, as it could benefit their music, placing it on an international stage. When Simon told Berg of his plans to record an album inspired by the tape she had loaned him, their working relationship deteriorated.