Jay-Z Thinks 'We Are the World' Remake Shouldn't Have Happened

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 16th 2010 06:44AM

A remake of Michael Jackson's 'We Are the World' to benefit Haiti has Jay-Z a little upset.

"I have a interesting take on that," he tells MTV News. "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," the rap mogul added.

'We are the World: 25 for Haiti,' features many A-list musical superstars, including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Fergie and Jennifer Hudson. The video premiered during the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Tags: Jay-Z, we are the world 25 for haiti

Comments

(121)

Tuesday 16 February

By Jean

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Jay-Z is right on this one. Somethings are just better left alone and We are the World is definitely one of them. It was a moment in time that can never be duplicated. There is nothing like talent and true creative genuis and Michael Jackson was blessed with both. They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. In this case it's just imitation!

By Pamela Collins

I agree 1,000,000,000 %. Jay-Z is right. Untouchable.

By Shayna

Yep, I agree with Jay-Z, not that the remake is terrible. It just isn't the same. I kinda wish they did just leave it alone, but I agree at least there is millions of dollars being raised to help Haiti

By MiMi

I too agree with Jay-z. The original is Michael's gift to all of us an is "untouchable." I burst into tears when he started to sing and wish someone had stepped forward to help him. Their effort was good but they should have created something else.

By Fukeyna

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It is a song, Why not, if it can be used to help those in need. What is the problem. I think it was a great idea because everyone can relate to it. It is a song that should be used for this purpose whenever it is needed, regardless of how many remakes there are. This should be the purpose of the song, to do good regardless of who is singing it. I think the song is serving its purpose.

By Wish Belkin

It's surely the end times. I agree with Jay-Z.

By Lori

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You said it all Jean.....and to Jamie Fox and Lionel Richie while I know you mean well I personally will donate my money to "our" country, kids need a better education, homeless need to be off the streets, people are starving, children are being abused,people need health insurance...what happened to help to take care of our people. Where are all the other countries when tragedy strikes the U.S. ????????

By Barb

I totally agree with you. There is only one version and that is the first one. JAY_Z definitly got it right and this will never ever be the hit that the first one.
God Bless you Michael and may you rest in the peace that this world never gave you on earth.

By Janie Isom

I agree. The re-make of Michael's "We are the World" is like trying to copy a famous painting, it would be forgery.

I agree with the cause but why use his song? It's forgery!

His death caused a lot of up's and down's and i will miss him. So LET HIM REST IN PEACE and stop with the CAPITALIZATION already!!

The idea of forgery hit someone like a cat on a hot tin roof and all they saw were dollar signs and the publicity it would bring. And what artist wouldn't want to get in on the action of a song already a legend?

Gee it's makes me wonder just where were they all when he was being rediculed, and put down when he needed someone in his corner?

By debbie

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it was a good version and they included micheal so i think it was a tribute in a way i liked the video it brought back memories from my youth

By Doobie

Debbie, I agree. Some of the people singing on this one were very small children when the first version came out. I think it's totally appropriate and I enjoyed seeing new and old faces in this video. Very well done, I think.

By ann

i thought it was amazing how does barbra streisand still sound the same?

By philip

Melodyne and heavy reverberation as you can tell on every artist. She just still got it going on, but those two effects make it sound fresh.

By ljrich

This is a beautiful song and with Michael it was lost. Bringing it back reveals his true gift and his awesome talent. Nothing should be lost simply because the Man in the Mirror is gone;his legacy now and forever is cemented brcause even though flawed as we all are this man made music that could move, change and inspire. In this case Jay Z I beg to differ;let his genius be heard forever. You also have an awesome talent, and remember if you can't say something that helps; try not to detract from those who are doing something for the right reasons. We are not all motivated by avaricea and this redition has Michael singing in heaven.

By Milagro

you are so right!

By cassandra

GIVE ME A BREAK. Stop worshipping false gods and stroking the ego of the barely talented. All this kinda crap makes me want to throw up.

By Frank

Seldom do I agree with Jay-Z (though I have before, being the old codger I am)but on this one he is 100% correct. The original version was done with heart, soul and purpose, but the remake was done so these singers could get their already all too familiar mugs in front of MORE cameras and microphones. They all should have donated a huge chunk of their own cash to Doctors Without Boarders and kept the money OUT of Hollywood.

By Kay Kellogg

Frank, don't let your sensitiveness cloud your thinking. To generalize the intent and speak for these gifted artists is so unfair. They are stars in their own right and don't need to do this for publicity. Their hearts are in the right place and we should all appreciate their gift and for honoring Michael and helping Haiti in this way. By the way, these artists HAVE donated millions to this cause and have done this video to raise even more for all the right reasons.

By IHN

It was fine until they "darkened" it with all of that rap junk.

By sam

you are a moron

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