Our HIStory | Adventure of Humanity

Music brought us together

In 1999, Michael Jackson initiated Adventure of Humanity through MJ & Friends. With Nelson Mandela’s support, artists united across borders for children, peace and human dignity.

The global assembly

Michael Jackson
Slash
The Scorpions
Boyz II Men
Luther Vandross
Mariah Carey
A. R. Rahman
Prabhu Deva Sundaram
Shobana
Andrea Bocelli
Luciano Pavarotti

Cape Town · 23 March 1999

The moment
it all began.

At Nelson Mandela’s home in Cape Town, Michael Jackson announced Michael Jackson & Friends — The Adventure of Humanity. Two benefit concerts would support people in need, with the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, UNESCO and the Red Cross as beneficiaries.

Mandela’s presence anchored the announcement in children’s welfare, peace and dignity. Music became a way to help communities affected by war, poverty and crisis, including children in Kosovo, Africa and beyond.

Michael Jackson and Nelson Mandela · The 1999 announcement

01 / 23 March 1999

Cape Town

The humanitarian project is announced with Nelson Mandela.

02 / 25 June 1999

Seoul

The first benefit concert opens the series in South Korea.

03 / 27 June 1999

Munich

The second concert brings the mission to Europe.

The concerts · June 1999

Two nights.
One global purpose.

International stages. A shared humanitarian message.
Music in service of children and peace.

01 / 25 June 1999

Seoul

Seoul Olympic Stadium · South Korea

The first night brought Western and Asian performers together at Seoul Olympic Stadium. It opened a two-concert benefit series and carried the humanitarian message to audiences around the world.

Selected performers

Michael Jackson
Mariah Carey
Boyz II Men
Luther Vandross
Blackstreet
CoCo Lee
Andy Lau
Leon Lai
H.O.T. / S.E.S.
Patricia Kaas
Philip Kirkorov
Status Quo
Steven Seagal
Vanessa-Mae

Jackson’s setlist & finale

Medley of major hits
Dangerous
Earth Song
You Are Not Alone
Heal the World finale

Watch the concert film

02 / 27 June 1999

Munich

Olympiastadion · Germany

Two days later, the mission reached Europe. During Earth Song, a stage bridge malfunctioned. Jackson continued the show despite injuries to his spine and ankle and burns, and received hospital care afterwards.

Selected performers

Michael Jackson
Slash
The Scorpions
Status Quo
Vanessa-Mae
Luther Vandross
Andrea Bocelli
Ringo Starr
Boyzone
All Saints

Jackson’s setlist & finale

Medley of major hits
Dangerous
Earth Song
You Are Not Alone
Heal the World finale

Watch the concert film

The humanitarian purpose

A call for
humanity.

The concerts brought attention and support to children and communities facing hardship. They continued a musical humanitarian tradition that included We Are the World, Heal the World, Earth Song and What More Can I Give.

That purpose lives on in our work for peace, equal rights and sustainability. We believe in unity across cultures, and in restoring hope and opportunity for the next generation.

Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund

Children were central to the project: protecting vulnerable young people and creating opportunities for a safer future.

Learn more

UNESCO

Education, culture and international cooperation connected the concerts to a worldwide commitment to peace.

Learn more

Red Cross

Humanitarian relief reached people facing conflict, disaster and crisis.

Learn more

The people behind the purpose

Inspired by compassion.
Carried forward together.

The initiator

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson united artists through the 1999 Seoul and Munich benefit concerts. His commitment to children, peace and humanity continues to inspire Adventure of Humanity.

Visionary inspiration

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela championed democracy and human dignity. His Children’s Fund placed children at the heart of the initiative, a relationship that continues today.

The President

Richard Nilsson

Philanthropist Richard Nilsson carries Adventure of Humanity forward, working for peace, equal rights and sustainability—and hope for the next generation.

A living legacy

The concerts were
two nights.
The mission continues.

Adventure of Humanity carries the spirit of the 1999 concerts into today’s work for peace, human dignity and the environment.

Friends of MJ is the musical heart of that mission. Artists, celebrities and supporters continue to gather through concerts and events, keeping the call for equality and peace alive.

A legacy of music.
A mission for humanity.

In 1999, Michael Jackson initiated Adventure of Humanity through MJ & Friends. With Nelson Mandela’s support, artists united across borders for children, peace and human dignity.