Help/Hope for Haiti Now!

LOS ANGELES,

When it came time to record the 25th-anniversary
remake of "We Are the World," the legendary
African-famine relief benefit's co-writer and
producer, Lionel Richie, said he wanted to approach
the project from a modern perspective.
That might explain why none of the singers from
the 1985 single were in the house for Monday night's
marathon sessions, which took place in the same studios
where the original song was laid down.

Instead of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper
and the late Michael Jackson (whose previously recorded
voice, however, will be heard on the tune), the 2010 version
will be headlined by Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne,
Wyclef Jean, Josh Groban and Will.I.Am. It features a
newly penned hip-hop break written by the Black Eyed Peas
leader that makes reference to the January 12 earthquake
in Haiti, the victims of which will benefit from the
song's proceeds.

Among the rap artists making the cut for
"We Are the World — 25 for Haiti"

are T-Pain, Kanye West, Bizzy Bone, Kid Cudi,
LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Drake, Mann, Nipsey Hussle,
Busta Rhymes and Swizz Beatz.
And though rumored participants such as Lady Gaga,
Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake
were not in attendance, the sessions did feature
a number of current stars such as Miley Cyrus,
Keri Hilson and Best New Artist Grammy winner Zac Brown.

There were the requisite classic artists who pitched in,
including Barbra Streisand; Carlos Santana; Natalie Cole;
BeBe Winans; the members of Heart; Freda Payne; Harry
Connick Jr.; Earth, Wind & Fire; the Beach Boys' Brian
Wilson and Al Jardine; Tony Bennett; "Slumdog Millionaire"
film score composer A.R. Rahman; "American Idol" judge
Randy Jackson; Patti Austin; Celine Dion and Gladys Knight.

A few actors were in the studio (Jeff Bridges
and Vince Vaughn), as well as the offspring of
co-producers Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones,
Nicole Richie and "Parks and Recreation"
star Rashida Jones, and the members of 3T
(the sons of Tito Jackson), Taj, Taryll and TJ
Jackson.

(C.N.)

You can watch the official video for “We Are The World 25 For Haiti