25 years later “We Are The World” for Haiti earthquake victims

On January 28, 1985, a day after the American Music Awards, stars gathered in Jim Henson studios under the direction Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie to record “We Are The World.” The goal was to raise money and awareness about hunger in Africa.  Proceeds were donated to the newly formed charity, at the time, USA for Africa (www.usaforafrica.org).  To date, over $63 million dollars have been raised from this original recording co-written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson.

Almost precisely 25 years later, dozens of entirely different stars gathered again in Jim Henson studios under the same direction of Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie to re-record “We Are The World.”  Proceeds from the version of the recording will go into a yet to be named fund to raise money for victims of the earthquake that ravaged Haiti on January 12, 2010.  The song underwent some lyrics tweaking from Will.I.Am who added a little rap to the song as well as Lionel Richie.  Janet Jackson, who was not part of the 1985 recording, has been asked to sing her deceased brother Michael Jackson’s parts that he delivered in the original song although she was not present at yesterday’s (February 2, 2010) recording session.  The song will debut at the 2010 Winter Olympics on February 12, 2010.

Lil Wayne apparently speculated as to why the earthquake in Haiti was the premise for the song’s revival as opposed to Hurricane Katrina that ravaged the Gulf region back in 2005.

Here’s a news report from Good Day LA…

Here is some footage of the recording day from the Associated Press…

Related Links

Yahoo! News- Stars remake ‘We Are The World’ for Haiti victims

BV Black Spin- News Blast: ‘We Are The World’ to debut during Olympics…

USA Today- Stars gather to cover ‘We Are The World’ for Haiti

ThisIs50.com- Stars record ‘We Are The World’ remake in Hollywood (exclusive photos)

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