Here's the music video for We Are The World 25. 

Lionel Richie & Quincy Jones decided to remake this classic to raise money for Haiti. Their efforts were for a good cause and their hearts were in the right place commendable effort for sure, however in my opinion they have ruined a classic.

Butchered; complete with auto-tune, rap, Jamie Fox's laughing on such a serious occasion (his impersonation was quite spot on though) commentary, Justin Beiber opening the song? Lionel Ritchie to Justin Beiber? You have Gladis Knight in the crowd yet Nicole from Pussy Cats does the “uhh ohhs”? I could go on and on.. If they did this purely to be “relevant” to the new generation, I hope it really works, because Haiti does need the help, sad though is this generation will never get to know true talent, that was in the 80s.

The video editing, is even more of a disappointment, chopped up, all over the place, unorganized. Choices of voices to highlight, confusing and uninspired, Janet sings 2 or 3 words and even then you can hardly hear her, the way the split screen is done, seems to do both her and Michael Jackson no favors. Of everyone in the group, in this video Michael Jackson's voice pierces through and towers over all of them . Says something no?

I wonder, would Michael Jackson have approved of this were he alive? Michael Jackson was famously known for his perfectionism, when the original WRTW was made he didn't sleep or eat because he wanted every part of it to be perfect. And it was, he helped create that magic that turned into a classic that can never be matched, going on to raise more than $60 Million for Africa.

Wouldn't Lionel, Quincy and Haiti been served better had the group just written a brand new song for the cause, one that could have stood on it's own merits, inspired many to give, instead of being compared to a perfect and highly acclaimed classic?

Haiti still needs all the help and money they can get, I have and will contribute, please do if you can.

Here's how you can help the people in Haiti:

Download “We Are The World 25” For Haiti from World25.org or iTunes.

The following organizations are accepting SMS donations in the US only:

• SMS text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
• SMS text “YELE” to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts
• SMS text “GIVE10” to 20222 to donate $10 to Direct Relief

Canadians can also donate by going to the UNICEF website, the Canadian government will match every donation made. Please give if you can.

The original We Are The World video.

Here's Michael Jackson in the studio recording the guide and his solo parts for the original WRTW