Tag Archives: Michael Jackson

‘We Are The World: 25 For Haiti’: Readers Weigh In

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Readers seem split on remake’s musical quality. By Steven Roberts Artists come together to remake “We Are The World” Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Wire Image On Friday night, “We Are the World: 25 for Haiti,” the remake of the classic 1985 benefit song, premiered during the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics. The song, proceeds from which will go towards disaster relief in Haiti, features an even larger cast of musicians than the star-studded original, with contemporary artists from Kanye West and Barbra Streisand to Pink and Lil Wayne joining in. While there’s certainly no criticizing the motivation for the remake, reaction to its musical quality has been mixed, with even Jay-Z calling the original version “untouchable” and saying he’d wished a new song had been written for the event instead: “It was a valiant effort, but for me, it’s gonna be untouchable,” he told MTV News on Saturday. Here’s what some of our readers had to say: “I thought the song was amazing and that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it. Everyone’s dissecting the song for each little flaw and misstep. Look at it as a whole!” (peoplesrock78) “I have donated several times, but refuse to donate by purchasing a song that I think was awful. Good idea to remake the song, [but] it just sounded like a mishmash of bad singing. Do Haiti a favor and donate to the Red Cross, because they are the people who actually provide Haiti with help.” (Cathy) “I would donate to Haiti, many times over before I bought this song. Horrible and terrible song, out of sync with the video and the producers made a point of not including anyone from the original. Why was Michael Jackson in the video, he is gone. You can stop adding him into everything.” (peakway3) “All these negative comments. I feel like some people are missing the point. To me, this remake wasn’t about trying to improve on the original version. It seemed to be more of a tribute to it. It was about these people, whether they could sing or not, contributing what they could. Singers sing, rappers rap, Wyclef did whatever it is he does. It’s about very different people coming together and connecting through the majesty of song for a worthy cause, not winning a Grammy.” (Rachael) Readers also weighed in on Jay-Z’s comments. “Jay-Z is absolutely RIGHT!!! He couldn’t have said it better!!! They should have never remade that song. Certain songs are just not to be messed with. All Jay-Z is saying is what everybody was saying in their mind. He just put it in the open.” (Asonye88) “It’s for charity, it’s for HAITI … not for Jay-Z’s satisfaction and I think all of the artists involved put their HEART on it. I know the original is the best but i know also Mike [Jackson] would be watching his song with a smile….XD.” (Julius Cristina) “I agree as well, I think their heart was in the right place. As he already mentioned in the article, ‘We Are the World’ is untouchable. There will never be another like the original.” (marcy 25) What do you think of “We Are the World: 25 for Haiti”? Do you like the new remake, or do you think a new song should have been written? Let us know in the comments below! Related Videos ‘We Are The World: 25 Years For Haiti’ Related Photos ‘We Are The World 25 For Haiti’ Recording Session

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Jay-Z on "We Are the World" Remake: Bad Idea!

Posted on February 15, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

When Jay-Z speaks, people listen. That’s the kind of respect this artist and producer has earned. That’s why his critique of the recently-remade version of “We Are the World” is receiving so much attention, as the rapper told MTV News over the weekend: “I know everybody is gonna take this wrong: ‘We Are the World,’ I love it, and I understand the point and think it’s great. But I think ‘We Are the World’ is like [Michael Jackson’s] ‘Thriller’ to me. I don’t ever wanna see it touched.” The man makes a good point. No offense to Miley Cyrus or Justin Bieber (okay, some offense to the former), but the iconic single loses a lot of luster when such young musicians are taking the place of Jackson, Bob Dylan and other luminaries. “I’m a fan of music. I know the plight and everything that’s going on in Haiti. I applaud the efforts,” Jay-Z added. “But… some things are just untouchable.. I think it’s time for us to make a new [song].” Do you agree with Jay-Z? Listen to the remake NOW and then vote below: What d you think of it?

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‘We Are The World: 25 For Haiti’ Unites Music’s Biggest Names

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Wyclef Jean, RedOne and Quincy Jones give the 25-year-old charity song a new feel. By Maura Johnston LL Cool J, Wyclef Jean, Swizz Beatz, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes and Will.I.Am perform “We Are The World” Photo: Kevin Mazur/ Wire Image In 1985, Justin Bieber was nine years from being born, Auto-Tune was 12 years from being invented, and Lil Wayne turned 3. Yet all three are prominent on “We Are the World: 25 For Haiti,” a remake of the 1985 charity single that will benefit relief efforts in earthquake-stricken Haiti . The updated version of “We Are the World” not only has a completely different cast than its predecessor — only the late Michael Jackson remains, with his sister Janet singing along to his vocal tracks from the original — its sound is very current, with Auto-Tune flavoring many of the singers’ voices and hip-hop verses being added to the proceedings. Lady Gaga producer RedOne and Haitian native Wyclef Jean assisted original “We Are the World” producer Quincy Jones on production duties. The song opens with Bieber, who steps in for “We Are the World” co-writer Lionel Richie. From there, Nicole Scherzinger and Jennifer Hudson harmonize, and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland drops in. Despite the different faces, the overall feel is similar to the original’s, with Hudson turning in a powerhouse performance on verses originally performed by Stevie Wonder. It’s on the second repetition of the chorus when the song begins to take on a life of its own, with Wyclef singing the song’s title as translated into Creole, which is one of Haiti’s official languages. From there, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine channels Stevie Wonder. The Wonder similarities are only underscored by another Michael Jackson appearance, whose bridge, when he sings, “When you’re down and out, and there seems no hope at all,” remains intact. The chorus of singers and actors then gets soft, with ad-libbed verses by Scherzinger, Nick Jonas, Melanie Fiona, Tony Bennett and the Fray’s Isaac Slade recalling the verses provided by the likes of Bruce Springsteen and James Ingram in 1985. And then Lil Wayne reprises Bob Dylan’s verse , with Carlos Santana furiously playing guitar behind him. In addition to Santana, Australian guitarist Orianthi lends her riffing skills to the track. Pink, Akon and T-Pain add ad-libs as well, and then another callback to 1985 swoops in as Foxx channels the late Ray Charles, who was at the session 25 years ago. Foxx won the 2004 Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Charles in the film “Ray.” Hip-hop is a defining part of the pop landscape in 2010, and the new “We Are the World” reflects that . A Will.I.Am-penned verse is performed by a host of rappers, including LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, and Kanye West. Will and Kanye also have solo turns on the song, with each adding brief freestyles. The song ends with Wyclef emotionally toasting his homeland. An abbreviated version of the Paul Haggis-directed “We Are The World: 25 For Haiti” video premiered during the Winter Olympics broadcast on NBC, but the full, almost-seven-minute version of the song is available for purchase on iTunes, and the official We Are The World YouTube channel is streaming the video. The full video will air on television around the world tomorrow. 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 Related Artists Wyclef Jean

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‘We Are The World: 25 For Haiti’ Video Premieres During Olympics Opening Ceremony

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

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

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

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 Remake: What Did You Think?

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

The 25-year anniversary remake o “We Are the World” debuted tonight during Winter Olympics coverage on NBC. The production featured over 80 artists and celebrities, as the video below features the young (Justin Bieber), the high (Snoop Dogg) and the deceased (Michael Jackson sang a posthumous duet with sister Janet, using old footage). Vince Vaughn even got a solo. As Jamie Foxx says in the introduction, the purpose of the song is to unite people from across the globe and to encourage donations to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. It’s a great cause and we applaud all those involved. We Are the World Remake What do you think of this cover?

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‘We Are The World’ Remake Includes Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie Reveals

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

‘He had to be there,’ Richie says on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show.’ By Jayson Rodriguez Lionel Richie on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” Friday Photo: Harpo Michael Jackson was an integral part of the first “We Are the World,” from co-writing the song to singing it alongside a gang of fellow celebrities. Twenty-five years later, and only hours before “We Are the World — 25 for Haiti” was set to premiere , Lionel Richie revealed on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” Friday (February 12) that the late King of Pop will be part of the remake’s song and video. “He had to be there,” Richie told the talk-show host. “If you’re not gonna be there for the production, you still gotta be a part of it.” Jackson’s vocals will lead the new all-star cast through the famous refrain on the song’s chorus, Richie said. And in the Paul Haggis-directed clip , archive footage of MJ singing from the original shoot will appear alongside his sister Janet Jackson in the new video. “We have Michael singing that exact part [the chorus] and Janet singing along with him,” Richie said, describing the moment as “emotional.” “We Are the World — 25 for Haiti” is scheduled to debut on NBC during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. The song was produced by frequent Lady Gaga collaborator RedOne and will feature a bevy of artists and actors, including Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Pink, Jennifer Hudson, Josh Groban and many others. The song will be available to purchase later, and all proceeds will go to the newly formed charity We Are the World Foundation LLC and will then be distributed to Haiti. 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 Photos ‘We Are The World 25 For Haiti’ Recording Session Related Artists Lionel Richie Michael Jackson

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Dr. Conrad Murray — I’m Happy to Be Working

Posted on February 12, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Filed under: Paparazzi Video , Michael Jackson Dr. Conrad Murray is still treating patients at his Las Vegas office — and according to The Doc, they’re all pretty happy to see him. Doc Murray strolled into work today, where he nodded when a photog asked if he was happy to be back. As we … Permalink

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Access Hollywood – Quincy Jones & Lionel Richie On ‘We Are the World’ Remix: ‘It’s Magical’

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Quincy and Lionel talk about how important it was to include Michael Jackson’s original recording as part of the remix. But will Janet be singing his part alongside him? Add this to your queue Added: Fri Feb 12 04:28:05 UTC 2010 Air date: Thu Feb 11 00:00:00 UTC 2010 Duration: 01:25

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Rihanna Shows Her True Colors In ‘Rude Boy’ Video

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Benny Hollywood| Leave a comment

Video is a colorful romp in the world of pop art and Caribbean style by ‘Hard’ director Melina Matsoukas. By Jocelyn Vena Rihanna in “Rude Boy” Photo: Def Jam Rihanna ‘s new video for “Rude Boy” is a colorful departure from the dark fare previously released from her Rated R album, like “Russian Roulette” and “Hard.” In it, Rihanna writhes around in a kaleidoscope of prints and colors, embracing her Caribbean roots in Jamaican-inspired costumes. The singer told Carson Daly on his Amp Radio show that the pop-art-inspired video was shot by Melina Matsoukas, who also worked with the pop star on her equally sexy “Hard” music video . In it she goofs around and gets sexy with a male extra, a zebra, a motorcycle and a stuffed lion in between whaling away on a drum kit. The video, which premiered on PerezHilton.com on Wednesday night, appears aristically influenced Andy Warhol’s pop art vibe as well as Keith Haring, thanks to its funky graffiti room. Rihanna once again shows off her fashion sense in the video, with lots of tight-fitting hot pants, a gold catsuit paired with a long wig and another catsuit inspired by the print in the Haringesque room. While Rihanna keeps the sexy factor up in the video, she also manages to throw in a little humor when she sings the line “Babe, if I don’t feel it, I ain’t faking,” giving an all-telling wink to the camera about the song’s tongue-in-cheek lyrics. “[It’s] completely different from any other video I’ve shot before,” she told Daly, describing it as “pretty freakin’ cool.” “A lot of my videos are really dark and edgy and tough. ‘Rude Boy’ is more playing along the lines from my roots. We used a lot of color, but also the costumes were very Jamaican dance-hall-queen type,” the singer said. Have you seen Rihanna’s video for “Rude Boy”? What do you think of it? Let us know in the comments below, or upload a video to Your.MTV.com ! Related Artists Rihanna

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