The new "We Are The World" will premiere February 12 on NBC's opening games of the Olympics. Proceeds from the new version, which includes a new hip hop verse written by the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am, will go to the relief effort in Haiti.
The artists for this version are a who's who of today's music including: Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Wyclef Jean, Harry Connick Jr., Kanye West, Miley Cyrus, Tony Bennett, Justin Bieber, P!nk, Patti Austin, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, Carlos Santana, Josh Groban, Gladys Knight, The Jonas Brothers, Jennifer Hudson, Enrique Iglesias, Harry Connick Jr., Natalie Cole, Drake, LL Cool J, Bustah Rhymes, Heart, BeBe Winans, Jamie Foxx, Usher, will.i.am, Robin Thicke, Rob Thomas, Akon, Brandy, Keri Hilson, Zac Brown, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest, Joel and Benji Madden (of Good Charlotte), Melanie Fiona, Drake, Jordin Sparks, Mya, Musiq Soulchild, Katharine McPhee, Orianthi, Trey Songz, Faith Evans, Sugarland, Jennifer Hudson, Jason Mraz, India.Arie, Mary Mary, Tyrese , Raphael Saadiq, Pink, Jordin Sparks, Rob Thomas, Usher, the Fray's Isaac Slade, Adam Levine, Nicole Scherzinger, Julianne Hough, Jeff Bridges, and yes...Vince Vaughn and Snoop Dogg.
Janet Jackson will sing Michael's part, which is nice.
Nepitism never hurts as Rashida Jones (the Parks & Rec and I Love You Man actress is Quincy's daughter) and Nicole Richie (Lionel's offspring) were also on hand.
I'm still trying scratching my head as to why Justin Bieber gets to sing the very first lines originally done by Lionel Richie. Not sure his voice is even deep enough to sing that part. Lil Wayne is doing the Bob Dylan part. No, seriously.
Some artists Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie and the others involved wanted, such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Lady GaGa, were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts. So, who else was not there? Let's see: Rihanna, Fergie, Britney, Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Mary J. Blige, Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban...hmm, who else? Leave comments!
If you're wondering where Mariah Carey was, she took part in a Haiti tribute Simon Cowell put together across the pond. Others involved included Leona Lewis, Rod Stewart, Robbie Williams, Cheryl Cole, Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Buble, Kylie Minogue, and Susan Boyle.
The song is a cover of R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts". Listen to that one here:
