HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — While Jay-Z is all for raising money for Haiti, he's disappointed the music industry decided on a "We Are the World" remake to benefit victims of January's devastating earthquake.
"I know everybody is gonna take this wrong: 'We Are the World,' I love it, and I understand the point and think it's great. But I think 'We Are the World' is like [Michael Jackson's] 'Thriller' to me. I don't ever wanna see it touched," the 40-year-old rapper told MTV Saturday night at the 2 Kings dinner in Dallas.
"I'm a fan of music," he continued. "I know the plight and everything that's going on in Haiti. I applaud the efforts: [Millions have been raised] through text [donations] to Haiti. So I appreciate the efforts and everything, but 'We are the World' is [musically] untouchable like 'Thriller' is untouchable. Some things are just untouchable. It was a valiant effort, but for me, it's gonna be untouchable."
The former Def Jam CEO was speaking the night after "We Are the World: 25 for Haiti" premiered during the Winter Olympics. The contemporary version opens with teen sensation Justin Bieber. Other artists featured include Jennifer Hudson, Nicole Scherzinger, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Fergie, Josh Groban, LL Cool J, Nick Jonas, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Miley Cyrus and Wyclef Jean.
Jay-Z said he has "tremendous respect" for Quincy Jones, who rounded up the troops again - just like he did for the 1985 anthem. He just wishes Jones and company had left the classic alone.
"I think it's time for us to make a new [song]," said Jay-Z. "I tried to do that with 'Stranded,' [the track Jay-Z, Rihanna and U2's Bono and the Edge premiered at the 'Hope for Haiti Now' telethon]. I didn't try to make 'We Are the World,' but I tried to make our take on how we felt."
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