We Are The World 25 for Haiti

I am not sure what to say. We Are The World 25 (WATW 25) was a complete success. Everyone who is anyone was a part of this project. To Quincy Jones, Wyclef Jean, Lionel Richie, and everyone else who participated- job well done. You did a fantastic job.

I cannot begin to explain every reason why this song is so amazing to me. There is just so much to say that it cannot be fully expressed in this blog. Just thinking it about it makes my heart skip a beat. It is so nice to see people come together, unselfishly, for a good cause. Each of the participating artists have schedules that are more busy than we could ever imagine yet they came together, on the same day, in the same studio, to help my brothers and sisters in Haiti. That is incredible.

Even The King, Michael Jackson, made an appearance in this song. I was so happy to see him be a part of this project because we all know that if he were still living, he would have been one of the first to send aid to Haiti. He was a true humanitarian. And truth be told, Michael Jackson’s 15 seconds in WATW 25 is better than the 7 minutes that we experience of everyone else. He is/was/will forever be just that good.

Every artist’s performance was amazing. Although I am not happy to see such devastation in Haiti, I am happy to see how people can come together for such a good cause. I sincerely appreciate their work. It is truly an inspiration.

Now where do I begin in my praise of this song? There is just so much to say and not enough time to say it. I love how WATW 25 has a hip-hop addition. It adds something extra that distinguishes this song from the original. I loved Kanye’s part combined with will.i.am. I loved Jennifer Hudson and Mary Mary’s ability to tie everything together with their strong soulful voices. I loved Janet’s cameo with her brother, I loved Tony Bennett’s appearance and I loved how Jamie Fox brought some of that Ray Charles flavor to the project (btw, that was Jamie, NOT Ray Charles. Mr. Charles’ part in the new WATW 25 is not the same as what was in the original). I loved so much about this song. I could go on for days. I even liked the fact that The Gremlin (Lil Wayne) was included. I don’t even like Lil Wayne but I am not afraid to say that his contribution was needed. I can appreciate it.

And Wyclef. Oh, Wyclef. I truly love his music. Even though I always make fun of Wyclef’s ‘special’ falsetto, I think it was a unique contribution to WATW 25. He left his mark, and rightfully so. Those are his people over there dying. I loved his falsetto, and his insertion of Creole. Simply amazing. It gave a Haitian sound to an otherwise American song.

There is so much more that I could say but I am going to let the video speak for itself. Check it out below. When you are finished watching, get up and do something for someone. Whether you decided to donate more money to Haiti (because I am sure you have already donated something, right?), or you decide to feed the homeless at your local soup kitchen, make sure you do something. This is not the time to be selfish or indifferent. It only takes one person to make a difference. Be that person.