USHER FIX

New Look was recently featured in KidsLA’s Spring 2010 issue for their efforts to help Haiti recover from it’s disasterous earthquake a couple months ago.

Click here to read the article on page 64.

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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.

Upon hearing the news of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, singer and philanthropist Usher Raymond IV is requesting help from the world’s youth.

“I am devastated by the news in Haiti and am calling for youth worldwide to support and offer assistance to the millions of people in that area that are in dire need,” Usher said. “I am currently working with Usher’s New Look, my non-profit organization, to figure out the most effective means of help. I also know that young men and women have asked the same question — ‘How can I help?’ ”

Usher believes that everyone can do something to help people in Haiti.

“With Haiti in a state of emergency right now, young people do have the power to save lives,” he explained. “I am asking young people of all ages to mobilize by organizing local fundraisers with the proceeds going to their peers in Haiti. This is one way we all can make a difference.”

For more information on fundraising and service projects you can visit ushersnewlook.org & poweredbyservice.com.

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