Feb 3

Remake: We Are the World

25 years after the original, every freakin’ celebrity in the world is getting together to remake “We Are the World” in order to raise money to help with the devastation in Haiti. “We Are the World – 25 for Haiti” will feature more than 75 stars – which, I’m pretty sure, makes this the largest supergroup in the history of the music business (I did absolutely no research to back that up, so feel free to correct me). The production is being led once again by Quincy Jones, and Lionel Richie, who co-wrote the song with Michael Jackson.

The group is even more diverse than the one that made the original – including Barbra Streisand, Kanye West, The Jonas Brothers, and Vince Vaughn. After the video, a couple of quotes from celebrities involved, and a complete list of the people who recorded.

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Josh Groban: “I got Kenny Rogers’ original harmony with Paul Simonand I was happy for that. But I don’t know yet who the harmony will be with; it’s to be determined. Then they had me do a riff at the end with some bravado…that was the token classical note of the song (laughs). It’s inspired chaos. We’re all there for the same reason and it’s great to see so many legendary artists sweating it out; doing it until it’s over. Everybody left their ego at the door. To be smack dab in the middle of a sandwich between Weezy and Barbra Streisand was personally a creative experience I don’t think I’ll have the pleasure of having again. It just goes to show the mix and match of people who are here to help. I can only hope this version has the impact of the original.”

Lil Wayne: “I’ve never been involved in anything like this. But coming out I feel blessed and feel like I’ve done something today. And that’s always a good day. When I got here, I was like what am I doing, will I be rapping or what? Then they told me I was doing Bob Dylan’s part and I was like, you guys are real good comedians. But I approached it the best way I knew how. Did I do a better job than Bob Dylan? Hell, no. But after I did his part, it hit me that this was something way more important than I could ever imagine. Before I go, I just want to say I think it’s amazing what’s been done for Haiti but I also think it’s amazing what hasn’t been done for New Orleans. Thank you.”

Full list of artists recorded for “We Are the World – 25 for Haiti”

  • Akon
  • Lady Gaga
  • India.Arie
  • Patti Austin
  • Tony Bennett
  • Justin Bieber
  • Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
  • Ethan Bortnick
  • Brandy
  • Jeff Bridges
  • Toni Braxton
  • Zac Brown
  • Kristian Bush
  • Natalie Cole
  • Harry Connick Jr.
  • Kid Cudi
  • Miley Cyrus
  • Celine Dion
  • Snoop Dogg
  • Drake
  • Earth Wind & Fire
  • Faith Evans
  • Melanie Fiona
  • Jamie Foxx
  • Sean Garrett
  • Tyrese Gibson
  • Josh Groban
  • Anthony Hamilton
  • Keri Hilson
  • Julianne Hough
  • Jennifer Hudson
  • Enrique Iglesias
  • LL Cool J
  • Janet Jackson
  • Randy Jackson
  • Taj Jackson
  • Taryll Jackson
  • TJ Jackson
  • Al Jardine
  • Joe Jonas
  • Kevin Jonas
  • Nick Jonas
  • Rashida Jones
  • Gladys Knight
  • Adam Levine
  • Jimmy Jean-Louis
  • Benji Madden
  • Joel Madden
  • Mary Mary
  • Katharine McPhee
  • Jason Mraz
  • Mýa
  • Jennifer Nettles
  • Orianthi
  • Freda Payne
  • P!nk
  • A. R. Rahman
  • Nicole Richie
  • Raphael Saadiq
  • Carlos Santana
  • Nicole Scherzinger
  • Isaac Slade
  • Trey Songz
  • Musiq Soulchild
  • Jordin Sparks
  • Barbra Streisand
  • T-Pain
  • Robin Thicke
  • Rob Thomas
  • Usher
  • Vince Vaughn
  • Lil Wayne
  • Kanye West
  • Will.i.am
  • Ann Wilson
  • Brian Wilson
  • Nancy Wilson
  • BeBe Winans
  • Britney Spears

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