Today, World AIDS Day, sees the launch of (RED)WIRE, the musical branch of Bono's (RED) charity, dedicated to eliminating AIDS in Africa.

For a $5 monthly fee, subscribers to (RED)WIRE will receive two songs every week- one an exclusive recording by a major artist, and the other a track by an upcoming artist that (RED)WIRE feels its members should know about.

50% of every subscription will go to the musicians involved and the other 50% will be used to buy AIDS medicines for victims in Africa. Don MacKinnon, the creator of (RED)WIRE, explains, "Every week, when you receive this great music, you’ll know you are helping people in Africa get the medicine they need. It’s that simple."

Bono, highlighting the dual functionality of (RED)WIRE adds, "Don MacKinnon just might be the penicillin the ailing music business needs. He is an innovator by nature and I have no doubt that some of the music software we are working on at (RED) will help change the way music is received and change the lives of Africans who will die without the AIDS drugs that (RED) can help provide."

To celebrate today's launch, a sample of the exclusive tracks available to members can be found on (RED)WIRE's MSN site. Featured artists include The Killers in collaboration with Elton John and John Tennant, Death Cab For Cutie, Jay-Z, Coldplay, Jenny Lewis and, of course, U2. The list of tracks will be updated throughout the day. [Hypebot]