USHER FIX

Usher’s fight to empower America’s underpriveliged youth.

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Despite some big-name detractors, “We Are the World: 25 for Haiti” debuts at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart just days after the all-star charity single premiered during the televised opening of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

The song, a remake of the Michael Jackson- and Lionel Richie-powered original, was only bested by Ke$ha’s “Tik Tok,” which tops the chart for the ninth straight week.

The “WATW” remake produced by RedOne and featuring the collective Artists for Haiti — a group that comprises a number of musicians and actors, including Jamie Foxx, Justin Bieber, Pink, Usher, Kanye West and Celine Dion, among others — is the latest charity effort to rise on the charts.

The new “We Are the World” video was helmed by Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis, who described the shoot as “chaos” but noted it was a remarkable experience.

“You hear these stories about people checking their egos at the door, and it really is true,” Haggis told MTV News. “They came and stood forever and were glorified extras a lot of the time. They just stood in the corner and waved. It was hot and it was crowded. When there’s chaos, there’s friction. Where there’s fiction, there’s drama, and I knew I’d have fun things to shoot. Unfortunately, there wasn’t as much drama as I expected. People really got along very well.”

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The names are different this time around. Lil Wayne, Barbra Streisand, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers are in the cast; Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan and Cyndi Lauper aren’t. But the purpose of the new “We Are the World” recording remains the same: to harness the music industry’s star power for charity.

The video for the new “We Are the World” — recorded Feb. 1 at the same Hollywood studio where the first “We Are the World” was created, in 1985 — will debut tomorrow during NBC television’s 7:30 p.m.-midnight coverage of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. After that, downloads will be available at World25.org and iTunes.com, with proceeds going to Haitian earthquake relief.

The original “We Are the World” raised more than $63 million for famine relief in Africa. “While the need to assist Africa continues, today the country of Haiti is suffering immeasurably from the destruction due to the recent earthquake and is in immediate need of relief that will last long after the television cameras have left,” said Quincy Jones, who executive-produced the new recording, along with Lionel Richie and Wyclef Jean. “As artists, we have joined together on this 25th anniversary and in the spirit of ‘We Are The World’ to help meet that need.”

Reportedly, the new “We Are the World” will include a segment where some of the late Michael Jackson’s vocals from the original recording are used, along with new vocals by his sister Janet. (Michael Jackson co-wrote the song with Richie.)

The song’s lineup includes Jennifer Hudson, Usher, will.i.am., Kanye West, Celine Dion, Fergie, Mary J. Blige, Rob Thomas, Jamie Foxx, Carlos Santana, Sugarland, Enrique Iglesias, Zac Brown, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Brian Wilson, Pink, Musiq Soulchild, Snoop Dogg, Akon, Jordin Sparks and dozens more. For a complete list, visit the song’s official web site, World25.org.

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Over 200k votes were cast in just 2 weeks with The Killa “B’s” winning with 55% of the vote. The winning team scored VIP Usher tickets, Macbook computers, and Final Cut Pro editing software. Check out the video below.

Twenty-five years after the iconic charity single “We Are The World” was recorded at A&M Studios by the likes of Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, and Ray Charles, a new bunch of stars united to re-record the song.

“We Are The World 25 Years For Haiti” was given a bit of a new spin by today’s hottest recording stars like Celine Dion,  Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Usher, Miley Cyrus, Pink, and Trey Songz.

In all, over 80 artists participated in the recording session that took place Monday, February 1 in Hollywood, CA at the very same studio the original was recorded (Jim Henson Studios). Original producer Quincy Jones was responsible for bringing it all together, and one of the song’s co-writers, Lionel Richie, was back for the new song, this time with his daughter Nicole Richie and granddaughter Harlow Madden.

 Along with recording the track, a video for the song was shot, in 3-D reports MTV.com, and will be released on February 12. ”The experience was out of this world,” said Bieber, who sang Lionel Richie’s original opening line.

According to a press release from the organizers, both the new version of “We Are the World” and the accompanying video will be available for purchase through a consortium of on-line and retail partners, with all proceeds going directly to the earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti through the We Are The World Foundation, a newly created not-for-profit organization made up of board members Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Wyclef Jean, Paul Haggis, Randy Phillips and Ambassador Louis Moreno of the Inter-American Development Bank.

Learn more about what you can do to help with earthquake-relief efforts in Haiti, and for more information, see Think MTV. Visit HopeForHaitiNow.org or call (877) 99-HAITI to make a donation now.

Sources: 1 , 2, & 3

Usher appeared on Larry King Live tonight to discuss Powered By Service, the latest aide efforts in Haiti, etc. (video to follow, if available)

Shawn H. Wilson, President of Usher’s “New Look” organization, has posted an entry on the Larry King Live Blog.

Below is an excerpt of the blog entry….to see the remainder click here.

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Last week a massive earthquake struck Haiti. It is the largest natural disaster the country has ever seen and many communities, families and youth are in dire need of assistance. As with many disasters, out of the rumble comes a renewed sense of service and charity from people around the world looking for ways to give back and support people in need. Within hours of the disaster there were messages flooding the internet, television and radio giving people an answer to the question of the day: “How can I help?”

Who will answer the call? Traditionally we turn to the government, celebrities and foundations to supply donations and support. However, we often forget about one group. This group represents more than half the world’s population. This group has the power, creativity and innovation to have a serious impact on global problems. This group has the savvy to mobilize millions. Who am I talking about? Young people!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Video of Original Recording Session  

Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie will re-record We Are the World with some of world’s top recording artists next month to raise money for Haiti, Billboard.com reports. 

The single will be recorded in Los Angeles on Feb. 1, following the Grammy Awards weekend, and will also mark the 25th anniversary of the original recording.

The song, co-written by Richie and Michael Jackson, and co-produced by Jones, in 1985, raised money for Africa and led to the Live Aid charity concert. The long and diverse list of more than 40 singers included Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick, Bette Midler, Waylon Jennings, Paul Simon, Willie Nelson and Bruce Springsteen.

This time, Usher, Natalie Cole and John Legend have been invited to take part in a “supergroup” recording. Billboard says the 2010 roster may also include Wyclef Jean, Sting, Fergie, Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake among others.

Sources: 1 & 2

Celebrities including Usher, Rihanna, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ashton Kutcher, John Legend, Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Wyclef Jean, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Kerri Washington, and Susan Sarandon will appear at a telethon and concert, tentatively scheduled for early February, to benefit the Edeyo Foundation, which runs a school for children in Port-au-Prince and provides kids with meals, books, and libraries. Stay tuned…

Donations can be made to the Edeyo Foundation by visiting www.edeyo.org.

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In a global, grassroots initiative, music legend and humanitarian Usher Raymond IV is announcing a partnership with the United Nations Foundation to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake. Through Usher’s non-profit, Usher’s New Look, Usher is challenging young people worldwide to raise $5 to help the United Nations’ emergency response in Haiti.

Usher’s New Look and the UN Foundation teamed up because they know youth have the power to make a difference and can help the United Nations help Haiti. 

“If only 1% of the world’s youth population raised $5 each, we could raise $150 million to support the UN’s relief efforts,” said Usher. 

“The United Nations plays a key role in humanitarian response and coordination,” said Ted Turner, UN Foundation founder and chairman.  “The coming days are critical to saving lives.  Contributions big or small can have a huge impact.”  

Youth can raise funds and awareness through the ‘Powered By Service’ initiative, launched by Usher’s New Look. Young people can use their talents and creativity to raise dollars and cents from their peers and others to support emergency relief efforts in Haiti such as critical medical care.

Initial news reports indicate that one of Haiti’s biggest needs both now and in the long term is medical aid and support. Disaster relief that is ‘Powered By Service’ can unite young people around the world in a joint effort to assist their peers and families who need help. Usher’s charity, Usher’s New Look is partnering with global youth and international service organizations to give young people the opportunity to help Haiti.

“Disaster relief is an effort that can be ‘Powered By Service’ and young people can be key players in the effort,” continued Usher. “I’m challenging youth around the world to prove they have the power to have an impact on a humanitarian crisis.  I know that young people have the talent, creativity and energy to assist in supporting Haiti’s needs.” 

Once youth raise dollars they can send donations of $5 or more directly to the UN Foundation for the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) website or by check. Youth can also text CERF to 90999 to donate $5, up to five times. The Usher’s New Look website  http://www.ushersnewlook.org/ is also linking directly to the CERF donation page.

Young people can log on to Twitter and Facebook and share their fundraising activities and successes with pictures, videos and statements. The ‘Powered By Service’ Twitter page will be used to recognize and track efforts. For each dollar raised, youth are being encouraged to tweet their efforts @powerbyservice to demonstrate their commitment.

Usher’s New Look Foundation and the United Nations Foundation previously partnered through the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign for malaria awareness. 

For information on fundraising for Haiti, please log ushersnewlook.org or poweredbyservice.org.  To view photos and video from UN Foundation staff in Haiti, visit www.unfoundation.org/haiti.