Watch: ABC's preview of 'We Are The World' remake

What, you didn't think it'd go hip-hop?

By Katie Hasty Wednesday, Feb 3, 2010 2:15 PM

Barbra Streisand, Kanye West, Justin Bieber and others sing in the new version of "We Are the World" on Monday night

Credit: AP Photo

ABC got the exclusive look inside the studio where stars were remaking the 1985 charity single "We Are the World," and it's as disparate as you could imagine.

There's 15-year-old Justin Biebe next to 83-year-old Tony Bennett, as the anchors noted, and Celine Dion singing her solo. Lil Wayne took Bob Dylan's solo and Janet Jackson stepped up to sing her late brother Michael's.

Consider it Will.I.Am-ified, as a booming, hip-hop leaning beat plays behind the group. Obviously, this thing isn't mixed yet, but the choir doesn't seem to be as clear as the original.

In solidairty with the peformers and Haiti, we put one hand to our ear like we had studio monitors on and bobbed our head along.

The single will be released in 3D on the opening night of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, on NBC Feb. 12.

Katie Hasty
Managing Editor

After five years as a columnist and editor at Billboard, Katie Hasty joined HitFix in 2009 for music and film reporting out of New York. The Midwest native has worked as a writer, music promoter and in A&R since 1999 and performs with her band Numbers And Letters.

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daggor

Sweet merciful fuck. Justin Bieber? Somebody is sucking somebody else's cock to get this little shit in front of the camera. Too many talentless marketing sucesses in that room. Kanye? Lil Wayne? Miley Cyrus? Jonas Bros.? I know, it's for charity, but I don't want future civilizations to think we thought these fuckers were talented. Celine Dion, Barbara Streisand, Wyclef, Janet Jackson, sure, they can sing, but... Will I Am? Fuck him and his Peas.
February 3, 2010 at 4:07PM EST Reply to Comment
- Johnny Couldn't agree more with you, what are they thinking by doing this to such a great song? I mean just to hear that Lil Wayne will have the responsibility to song the Bob Dylan part makes me wanna burry myself alive. And poor Tony Bennet to have to sit through or stand next to Justin Bieber. This is just wrong! Completely wrong!
  February 3, 2010 at 4:28PM EST