Quote of the Day: Jay-Z Didn’t Want We Are the World Remake

“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. I’m a fan of music. I know the plight and everything that’s going on in Haiti. I applaud the efforts: [Millions have been raised] through text [donations] to Haiti. So I appreciate the efforts and everything, but ‘We are the World’ is [musically] untouchable like ‘Thriller’ is untouchable. Some things are just untouchable. It was a valiant effort, but for me, it’s gonna be untouchable.”

-Rapper Jay-Z offering his opinion on the remake that recently debuted during the Winter Olympics.

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Gallery: Quote of the Day: Jay-Z Didn’t Want We Are the World Remake

We Are the World - Part Two

First, they sang for Africa. Now, they’ll be singing for Haiti.

To help celebrate the classic “We Are the World” recording, Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie will be uniting artists once again to sing for a good cause. Artists in the Los Angeles area for the Jan. 31 Grammys will be asked to participate in this musical event taking place on February 1.

When the original song - co-written by Richie and Michael Jackson - was first released, proceeds generated by the single went toward the relief effort in Africa. Although a 25th anniversary-celebration had already been in the works prior to the earthquake in Haiti, the devastation in that country changed the scope of the plans.

It’s not yet known who will be involved in the new session, though artists including Usher, Natalie Cole, and John Legend have already been given invites.

“We Are the World” was recorded on January 28, 1985.

Read More | Showbiz 411

Gallery: We Are the World - Part Two