"We Are the World" performed again — for Haiti
"We Are the World" performed again — for Haiti
The charity anthem "We Are the World" has been rerecorded by 80 artists who came together in the same Hollywood studio where the original was cut 25 years ago.
Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Pink, Natalie Cole, Kanye West, Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion and others stood shoulder-to-shoulder on risers at Henson Recording studios Monday night to raise money for Haiti earthquake relief.
"This one, the enthusiasm, I've never seen anything like it," said Lionel Richie, who wrote the original with Michael Jackson and oversaw the new version with music mogul Quincy Jones, 76.
"We Are the World — 25 for Haiti" will premiere this month during coverage of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on NBC, according to a release from promoter AEG Live.
A who's who of rappers, including Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J and Wyclef Jean, recorded an interlude written by Black Eyed Peas frontman and producer will.i.am.
Rapper Lil Wayne said he was blessed to record the tune but was surprised when told he would do Bob Dylan's part from the original.
"I don't know how to sing," he said with a smile.
Asked how the earthquake had affected him, he said he had Haitian friends in Miami who lost relatives in the disaster.
An unprecedented number of top pop musicians gathered at A&M the night of Jan. 28, 1985, following the American Music Awards, to record the tune. The song featured 45 American superstars, including Jackson, Richie, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Cyndi Lauper.
None of the original performers returned Monday because none were asked, said Randy Phillips, chief executive of AEG Live and also Richie's manager.
"This is about a new generation mixed with an old generation," Phillips said.
Proceeds initially are to go to the newly formed charity We Are the World Foundation LLC, and then be distributed to Haiti.
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- Posted on February 2, 2010
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About when Lil' Wayne said that he can't sing, I didn't believe it. He has a new song called, "How To Love",and All he does is sing. I don't know when he said it, but apparently now he can sing. I think he was lying just so didn't have to sing.
It's really cool how so many of the music industries top performers can get together, sing, and make a huge difference in so many people's lives. Plus, with so many artists recording, all of the fans of all of the artists will be buying the song and raising a lot of money for the disaster relief.
that was realy nice to think about hatiii love that song peoplei love you baby you turn me on you make my world shine and make it
Man I freaking love lil wayne but who in the world told him he can sing i mean he really should stick with rap isn't that how he became famous in the first place
That was the most touching music video I have ever seen. I seen it about one hundred of times. I am glad that Haiti will appreciate this video to them by the most popular singars of all-time. I would do the same thing, my dream is to become a movie star and maybe a singer someday. I am sooo glad they're doing much better than what had happened then.
I think they did a good thing for Haiti when the earthquakes happen. I was sad when I heard the news, I sent $500 to Haiti. I Hope Haiti is getting better after the big earthquakes happen in Haiti.
im glad dat lil wayne did dis he the best rapper alive nd im glad he thougth bout sum otha den his slef i dnt look up 2 bt hes ay gud guy no homo
see that what all rappers should do that is what makes them a better person so that show lil wayne s not flaw he is straight and a good person in his heart!!!now if every other rapper did that !!!
that is really awsome how what they did for these people, thats show what kind of heart these singer have in that is excellent, in i love that
Having artists come out to support Haiti was a great idea. I love Lil Wayne and think what he did was inspirational and definitly boosted my respect for him, which is limited.