We are the World 25...my how the world has changed

Today was the VH1 premiere of the "We Are the World" 25th anniversary for Haiti edition. Now, the song /video had actually premiered last night during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Last night was the first time that I watched it..and in all honesty I wasn't really impressed. I was however in awe of what I consider to be one of the greatest musical collaborations of my time (even though it's not of my time...the original was recorded some 2.5 years before my birth) being redone by some of the original artists as well as superstars from today.

However, this afternoon was the VH1 premiere of the video and by that time the awe had warn off. I was highly confused and came to the conclusion that I didn't like the video..at all. The best way to get through this is in a brief list. So here we go:

1. Lil Wayne...autotuned. Look, Lil Wayne can actually spit so why was there a verse where the man was doing his autotune thing and a verse where he was spittin? Yea Wayne is a mega superstar, but please respect the integrity of the song. smh.
2. Swizz Beats. Why? Why was he there? And I heard that Alicia had made an appearance..so why wasn't she on the track?
3. The whole 808 rapper break down section was just too much. It was wrong, it tried incredibly too hard and produced less than desirable results.
4. Homegirl from Pussycat Dolls got to sing with Jennifer Hudson? Umm Jennifer Hudson can hold her own..if she was going to do a "duet" she should have done it with Celine (who was on the original)..that would have been lovely.
5. Did Uncle Lionel even sing? And yes I called him Uncle Lionel because he is like that Uncle who has been around forever and always has really good advice. That's what he is to the music industry...the wise Uncle (who allowed the desire to move units influence the artistic integrity of this remake).
6. Quincy...smh. However, like Lionel I still love you both. I'm just disappointed in the two of you is all.

In my heart of hearts I feel a bit disappointed that many of us in the atmosphere have gone in on the artistic "vision" (I'm not sure I want to call it that, but out of respect for the process I will). I mean at the end of the day this is a charity record and the goal is to raise as much money as possible. However, the fact that it is a charity record will move units on its own. The gimmicks that were used to "move units" aren't necessary. People would buy the record because it is amazing and it supports an amazing cause (helping Haiti). Someone isn't going to buy this record because Lil Wayne is on it..or Justin Bieber is singing his heart out (no offense to little Justin..he is pretty talented and I do hope he has a long career). Just that there is a 25th Anniversary remake of We are the World would be enough to drive sales and spins on the radio.

But enough of the rants, I'll let you decide for yourself.

Here is the original, 1985 version of "We are the World"

and

the New 2010 25th Anniversary edition of "We are the World"

Also, the 25th Anniversary edition is available online..via itunes or wearetheworld25.org

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