HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Cyndi Lauper were nowhere to be found Monday at the “We Are the World” remake session held at Henson Recording Studios (formerly A&M) in Hollywood.
The trio, along with the late Michael Jackson, were some of the most prominent contributors when the original anthem was produced in 1985. However, the contemporary version, which will benefit victims of January’s devastating earthquake in Haiti, features a new cast of stars headlined by Justin Bieber, Lil Wayne, Wyclef Jean, Josh Groban and Will.I.Am. The building, which was also the site of the original recording, was also packed with plenty of hip-hop stars.
“As hip-hop artists, we’re the voice of the young generation,” Nipsey Hussle told MTV. “So it’s very important we speak our opinion and give our feeling as to what’s going on in Haiti and contribute our celebrity and voices to the disaster. It’s necessary.”
Musician Wyclef Jean said it was great to see a new generation come together for a good cause.
“Between the younger artists and older artists getting together, I feel that this new version of ‘We are the World’ … When you have a classic, you don’t wanna touch it. But, being that we grew up with that record and we love it so much, it’s incredible to see every kid, every genre coming in and singing that song,” he told MTV.
The world premiere of “We Are The World – 25 For Haiti” will air during NBC’s coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics on Feb. 12. The video for the song is being directed by Paul Haggis.
