We Are the World: Lil Wayne, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West, and Others

Lil Wayne, Brian Wilson, Kanye West, Snoop Dogg and Celine Dion are among a group of artists who have recorded a new version of the wonderful 1985 song ‘We Are The World’ to aid victims of the recent Haiti earthquake.

Barbra Streisand, Carlos Santana, Usher, Miley Cyrus, Tony Bennett and Enrique Iglesias are also among the 75 singers who contributed, reports BBC News.

The song was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones – who returned to the role for the new version. The new recording took place at Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood, where the original was also put on tape.

The much-anticipated song is set to debut on NBC, February 12. The video is to be put together by director Paul Haggis, who filmed the recording session.

Lil Wayne said, after the recording, “I don’t know how to sing.” He went on to hail the new song but criticized the response to the 2005 disaster in New Orleans, when Hurricane Katrina caused havoc.

“I think it’s amazing what’s been done for Haiti, but I think it’s amazing what hasn’t been done for New Orleans,” he said.

Lil Wayne makes a good point. I think you could add the victims and families post-September 11. A production like this to raise money and show support would have been outstanding for American families after Sept. 11 AND Hurricane Katrina. But if someone doesn’t stand up and make it happen, it won’t happen. Fortunately for Haiti, someone did stand up, and I guess that’s what we should focus on, right?

The Original We Are the World: