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New ‘We Are the World’ Video Released

Filed under: Music The new “We Are the World” video debuted before the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony last night. The song brought together the biggest names in music — including Jamie Foxx, Lionel Richie, Tony Bennett, Jennifer Hudson and Gladys Knight — but it … Permalink

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New ‘We Are the World’ Video Released

‘We Are The World’ Soloists Lil Wayne, Pink Take Cues From The Original

For the Haiti-benefiting remake, Mary J. Blige channels Tina Turner and Celine Dion includes a Cyndi Lauper-esque vocal run. By Maura Johnston Lil Wayne performs at the “We Are The World 25 Years for Haiti” Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage “We Are the World” and its Haiti-benefiting remake both brought a galaxy of pop stars under one roof for charity. Put the two songs side by side, and you can see why certain singers were offered verses that were originally laid down by some of the 1980s’ most prominent musicians. The most talked-about torch-passing in the days leading up to the song’s release was Lil Wayne being given a verse originally ad-libbed by rock icon Bob Dylan . Wayne and Dylan’s voices share a distinctly buzzy quality, although in the finished product Weezy’s delivery was smoothed over by Auto-Tune and backed by Carlos Santana’s furious guitar playing. But from the first verse — in which Justin Bieber takes over for “We Are the World” co-writer Lionel Richie to sing “There comes a time/ When we heed a certain call” — to the song’s ending, in which Wyclef Jean toasts Haiti over the song’s chorus fading out, there are other notable vocal parallels. Jennifer Hudson more than ably performed a verse originally sung by Stevie Wonder; Pink, singing a line originally taken on by former Journey lead singer Steve Perry, played up the rock elements of her gritty voice; and Mary J. Blige paid tribute to pioneering R&B singer Tina Turner with her take on Turner’s 1985 performance. The big-voiced Celine Dion was given a verse originally wailed by outlandish pop star Cyndi Lauper, who ad-libbed an octave-leaping “whoa, whoa, whoa” in the lead-in to her verse, and Dion paid dutiful homage to that iconic vocal run. Barbra Streisand stepped in for a fellow diva, Diana Ross, on the lines “There’s a choice we’re making/ We’re saving our own lives/ It’s true we’ll make a better day, just you and me.” And Miley Cyrus sang a line originally performed by Dionne Warwick with pitch-perfect inflection. Two singers paid homage to vocalists who appeared on the 1985 version of the track: Adam Levine used his verse to channel Stevie Wonder. (Levine’s verse was performed originally by pop/rock singer Kenny Loggins), and Jamie Foxx re-created some of the ad-libs performed by soul pioneer Ray Charles. That’s nothing new for Foxx, since he won an Oscar for his portrayal of the pianist/singer in the 2004 film “Ray.” Finally, the late Michael Jackson’s vocal contributions to “We Are the World” remained intact, with his sister Janet singing along to the tracks he laid down for the song’s original release. Jackson co-wrote the song with Richie in 1985. Related Videos Behind The Scenes Of ‘We Are The World’ Related Photos ‘We Are The World 25 For Haiti’ Recording Session Related Artists Pink Lil Wayne

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‘We Are The World’ Soloists Lil Wayne, Pink Take Cues From The Original

‘We Are The World: 25 For Haiti’ Video Premieres During Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Extended version of song and video are available now on iTunes. By Jem Aswad Wyclef Jean, Kanye West and Jennifer Hudson perform at the “We Are The World 25 Years for Haiti” recording session Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage The video of “We Are the World: 25 for Haiti” premiered Friday night (February 12) during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The new incarnation of the 1985 song sticks closely to the arrangement of the original, but the cast is much larger and, of course, much more contemporary. On television, the song was introduced by a message from original “We Are the World” principals Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones, who urged viewers to contribute via www.World25.org , iTunes or by texting “World” to 50555. A tightly edited version of the song was aired on Friday night, but the long version is available now on iTunes. That version is introduced by Jamie Foxx, who sets the scene, talking about the original recording and then the new version, the video of which was directed by “Crash” director Paul Haggis. “Do more than just watch,” Foxx says. “Whatever you have, no matter how big or how small, it all counts.” The video features footage from the song’s recording session intercut with scenes of rebuilding efforts in Haiti. Justin Bieber opens , singing Lionel Richie’s verse from the original, and is quickly followed by Nicole Scherzinger and Jennifer Hudson singing together, then Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles, Josh Groban, and then a footage of Michael Jackson from the original recording superimposed with sister Janet duetting on the first verse of the chorus. Barbra Streisand, Fergie, a wailing Celine Dion and others follow. Miley Cyrus, Enrique Iglesias, Foxx, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, Pink, Mary J. Blige, Akon, T-Pain and others take verses later in the song; a second verse from a recording of Michael Jackson is immediately followed by Usher. Carlos Santana and Orianthi are seen playing guitars; Richie and Jones are often visible, smiling on the sidelines. The most remarkable moments come from the rappers : an Auto-Tuned Lil Wayne sings Bob Dylan’s verse , Wyclef adds some Haitian flavor , and Will.I.Am and Kanye West both rap verses. “Like Katrina, Africa and Indonesia/ Haiti needs us,” Will.I.Am raps. LL Cool J, Will.I.Am, Swizz Beatz, Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes team up for a rapped section; Bizzy Bone, Kid Cudi, Drake and Nipsey Hussle were also at the session. The music drops out toward the end to let the chorus sing alone. Amid the studio footage we see Haitian children dancing amid the destruction in their homeland. Tellingly, the Haiti footage focuses on rebuilding efforts. Haggis talked with MTV News about the session earlier this week. “You hear these stories about people checking their egos at the door, and it really is true,” he said. “They came and stood forever and were glorified extras a lot of the time. They just stood in the corner and waved.” Learn more about what you can do to help with earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti , and for more information, see Think MTV . Visit HopeForHaitiNow.org or call (877) 99-HAITI to make a donation now. Related Videos Behind The Scenes Of ‘We Are The World’ Related Photos ‘We Are The World 25 For Haiti’ Recording Session

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‘We Are The World: 25 For Haiti’ Video Premieres During Olympic Opening Ceremonies

‘We Are The World’ Remake Premieres Tonight During Olympics Opening Ceremonies

Director Paul Haggis and producer RedOne give a preview of the Haiti benefit single and video. By Jocelyn Vena Wyclef Jean, Kanye West and Jennifer Hudson perform at the “We Are The World 25 Years for Haiti” Photo: Kevin Mazur/ WireImage “We Are the World — 25 for Haiti” is set to premiere on Friday night (February 12) at 7:30 p.m. ET, during the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Vancouver. The song features appearances by a number of artists including Janet Jackson, Justin Bieber, Jordin Sparks, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Pink — along with some newly added artists who won’t be revealed until the remake airs. But while we wait for the debut of the Haiti benefit, organized by Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones, we have a preview from the people behind the song. “I just keep the class of the original one,” producer Wyclef Jean also said he added a “Haitian influence” to the song. The video’s director, Paul Haggis , also spoke to MTV News about his involvement in the project and admitted he “embraced the chaos” of shooting everyone from Celine Dion to Kanye West, most of whom recorded the track on February 1 in Los Angeles. “You hear these stories about people checking their egos at the door, and it really is true,” the “Crash” director explained. “They came and stood forever and were glorified extras a lot of the time. They just stood in the corner and waved.” Even in a room full of stars, the participants put the cause, helping raise money for Haiti’s earthquake recovery, above all else. “It was hot and it was crowded,” Haggis said, but as a director, he was almost disappointed by how well everyone got along. “When there’s chaos, there’s friction. Where there’s fiction, there’s drama, and I knew I’d have fun things to shoot. Unfortunately, there wasn’t as much drama as I expected. People really got along very well.” The video was shot in 3-D , and green-screen technology will eventually allow viewers at home to place themselves in the chorus. “You would think we have a full-blown motion picture going in there,” Richie marveled at a press conference earlier this month. “We have 3-D cameras, we have Technicolor cameras, we have every imaginable form of technology. You can put yourself into the ‘We Are the World’ family from the computer.” The other “We Are the World” artists include Miley Cyrus, Wyclef Jean, Jamie Foxx, Josh Groban, Keri Hilson, Zac Brown Band, Akon, Brandy, Melanie Fiona, Mya, Musiq Soulchild, Katharine McPhee, Trey Songz, Faith Evans, Joel and Benji Madden, members of Sugarland, Jennifer Hudson, Jason Mraz, India.Arie, Mary Mary, Tyrese Gibson, Raphael Saadiq, Rob Thomas, Usher, the Fray’s Isaac Slade, pianist Ethan Bortnick, Enrique Iglesias, Robin Thicke, Jamie Foxx, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, the Jonas Brothers, Nicole Scherzinger, Julianne Hough, Barbra Streisand, Carlos Santana, Natalie Cole, BeBe Winans, Orianthi, Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson, Freda Payne, Harry Connick Jr., Earth, Wind & Fire, the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, Tony Bennett, composer A.R. Rahman, “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson, Patti Austin and Gladys Knight. Actors Jeff Bridges, Vince Vaughn and Jimmy Jean-Louis were there, as well as some “WATW” offspring: Nicole Richie (Lionel’s daughter), “Parks and Recreation” star Rashida Jones (Quincy’s daughter) and the members of 3T (the sons of Tito Jackson), Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson. All proceeds from “We Are the World” singles and video sales will go to the newly formed charity We Are the World Foundation LLC and will then be distributed to Haiti relief efforts. Related Videos Behind The Scenes Of ‘We Are The World’ Related Artists Wyclef Jean Kanye West Jennifer Hudson

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‘We Are The World’ Remake Premieres Tonight During Olympics Opening Ceremonies

Jordan Sparks is Covered Up on the Beach cuz She’s Fat of the Day

It’s nice to see Jordan Sparks wrapped up and covering her disgusting body on the beach of Miami. I am sure it’s a hell of a lot more fun than when her sister’s baby daddy murdered her entire family, oh wait, that was Jennifer Hudson, the other black American Idol…they all look the fucking same…. Yes. I did just make that joke. I hope that’s her brother and not her boyfriend, cuz I don’t think beds or hotel room neighbor’s can handle that kind of abuse. I mean other than me, because whenever I hear two people fucking, I always get excited, especially if it is a fat American Idol….yes Ruben, I’m talking to you big boy…. Pics via Bauer

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Jordan Sparks is Covered Up on the Beach cuz She’s Fat of the Day

Carrie Underwood’s National Anthem Kicks Off Super Bowl XLIV

Queen Latifah performed ‘America the Beautiful’ before Underwood’s rendition of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’ By Kyle Anderson Carrie Underwood performs the National Anthem Photo: CBS Carrie Underwood excels no matter what the context. Fresh off her headline-grabbing contribution to the Michael Jackson tribute at this year’s Grammy Awards (where she adroitly weaved her way through Jackson’s “Earth Song”), Underwood took the microphone in front of a sold-out Sun Life Stadium in Miami to deliver a killer rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before the kickoff to Super Bowl XLIV. Before Underwood performed, Queen Latifah sang “America the Beautiful” flanked by a children’s choir. Latifah broke it down during the tune’s finale for a jazz-inflected, gospel-tinged capper. Then it was time for Underwood. Following the presentation of the colors, the “American Idol” alum took the stage wearing a white jumpsuit accented with silver chains and a silver belt. During her performance, the broadcast cut to scenes of soldiers in Kabul, Afghanistan, standing at attention. At the song’s climax, the crowd was treated to fireworks and — in a Super Bowl tradition — a flyover by a quartet of fighter jets. Players, coaches and fans were visibly moved by Underwood’s stellar performance. The singer is the latest in a long line of blockbuster stars who’ve started the Super Bowl with the national anthem. At last year’s game, fellow “American Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson performed the song before the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Arizona Cardinals. Other recent notable “Star-Spangled Banner” crooners include Jordin Sparks (another “Idol” alum), Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Beyonc

Carrie Underwood Trying the Acting Thing

Why should Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson have all the multihyphenate fun?

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Carrie Underwood Trying the Acting Thing

Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato Shoot Down Feud Rumors, Dine

In a July 2009 interview, Demi Lovato had a simple message: Miley Cyrus is my total BFF ! By October, however, tension seemed to have arisen between the pair, as Lovato Tweeted to Miley that she barely knew her anymore. This exchange took place soon after Demi broke up with Trace Cyrus.

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Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato Shoot Down Feud Rumors, Dine

Celebrity Fashion Face-Off: Blake Lively vs. Jennifer Hudson

When two gorgeous gals with drastically different body types square off in a style showdown of fabulous frocks, there’s absolutely no telling who will prevail! Well, until you tell us! Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively showed off her supermodel-long legs in a peplum Victoria Beckham frock last year in N.Y.C. She’s always a fashion favorite. Meanwhile, Jennifer Hudson got major style points at the Grammys in the structured black dress last weekend

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Celebrity Fashion Face-Off: Blake Lively vs. Jennifer Hudson

Pink Had The Best Grammy Performance, Readers Say

Make your voice heard in our still-open MTV Newsroom poll.

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Pink Had The Best Grammy Performance, Readers Say