Musicians Come Together to Re-Make ‘We Are the World’ for Haiti

It has been 25 years since the original airing and taping of the original ‘We are the World’ written by Lionel Ritchie and the late great Michael Jackson with the direction of Quincy Jones. During that time period, musicians and artists came together for one cause, the USA for Africa campaign. Through their humanitarian deeds, these musicians provided their talents for world that proves that we can all come together as one.

25 years later a huge earthquake devastated the country of Haiti and killed many innocent people. And once again, the musicians and artists are made to come together for another Samaritan mission that involves the world. Lionel Ritchie and Quincy Jones alongside Wyclef Jean came together to remake a record that united an entire globe for the cause and hope in Haiti. Mega names from the across the music industry, from new school to old school joins a huge cast for the remake of ‘We Are the World 25 for Haiti.’

With a collection of talented voices filling the chorus, soloists this time around included the talents of Justin Bieber, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Josh Groban, Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls, Pink, Wyclef Jean, Akon, T-Pain, and Lil Wayne, yes Lil Wayne. As Celine Dion covered the part where Cyndi Lauper made famous, Mary J. Blige channeled that of Tina Turner. Respectively, they left Michael Jackson with the part that he made powerfully famous and even added a split screen of Janet Jackson singing alongside her beloved brother. They also added a new Hip-Hop rendition as Will.I.Am scored a rap verse for Hip-Hop Artists LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Swizz Beatz, and Busta Rhymes to recite while both Will and Kanye West scored a solo verse all their own.

The shorter video of the song was aired during the start of the Winter Olympics and was received with mixed reviews. Fans and critics are still in limbo on whether or not to love or hate the remake. Some say that they love, while others say that the original was better and should have been left alone. Either way, at the end of the day, we can all still agree it was made for a positive cause and the download proceeds will go directly to the relief in Haiti.

An abbreviated version of the Paul Haggis-directed “We Are The World: 25 For Haiti” video premiered during the Winter Olympics broadcast on NBC, but the full, almost-nine-minute version of the song is available for purchase on iTunes, and the official We Are The World YouTube channel is streaming the video. The full video will air on television around the world on Saturday.

To donate go to: http://www.wearetheworldfoundation.com

Jay-Z States that Original ‘We Are the World’ is Untouchable

Dallas, TX – If you ask some people what they thought about the new remake of the ‘We are the World’ record that was made respectfully 25 years ago, some would say that it should have untouched, while others think that the remake is better. No matter how you look upon the situation, people are always going to be in limbo on their thoughts and opinions of a classic. Jay-Z, on the other hand, has his own opinions on the song, especially the original.

During the NBA All-Star Game in Dallas, Texas, MTV News caught up with Hov and got his opinion of the remake after its airing on NBC during the opening of the Winter Olympics.

These were his comments:

“I have an interesting take on that, I know everybody is gonna take this wrong: ‘We Are the World,’ I love it, and I understand the point and think it’s great. But I think ‘We Are the World’ is like [Michael Jackson’s] ‘Thriller’ to me. I don’t ever wanna see it touched. I’m a fan of music. I know the plight and everything that’s going on in Haiti. I applaud the efforts: [Millions have been raised] through text [donations] to Haiti. So I appreciate the efforts and everything, but ‘We are the World’ is [musically] untouchable like ‘Thriller’ is untouchable. Some things are just untouchable. It was a valiant effort, but for me, it’s gonna be untouchable.

Jay continues to state that a new song should have been written, instead of remaking the 1985 classic.

I would have loved that idea better. As everyone knows, I have tremendous respect for Quincy Jones. Of course, I think he’s genius, as everyone else does. [But] I think it’s time for us to make a new [song]. I tried to do that with ‘Stranded,’ the song Jay, Rihanna and U2’s Bono and the Edge premiered at the ‘Hope for Haiti Now’ telethon]. I didn’t try to make ‘We Are the World,’ but I tried to make our take on how we felt.”

Jay-Z wasn’t the only big name missing from the roster; people are still questioning the absence of Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Ne-Yo, The Dream and Lady Gaga.

Checkout the Full Video of the ‘We Are the World: 25 for Haiti:’