"We Are The World 25 for Haiti" full video

While it has been reported big stars like Beyonce, Jay-Z, Lady Ga Ga, and Prince either turned their noses up at the project or failed to show for the recording session, it was fantastic to see such huge stars as Tony Bennett, Gladys Knight, Carlos Santana, Celine Dion, Mary J. Blige, and Barbara Streisand take the time out of their busy schedules to participate. Michael Jackson, co-writer of the original song, appears twice in the video at 2:22, singing alongside his sister Janet, and again at 3:41 looking like the King that he is.

Please donate to the Haiti relief efforts by downloading this video and song from iTunes and going to world25.org

Celine Dion, Jordin Sparks, and Akon discuss We Are The World and Michael Jackson

Celine Dion, Jordin Sparks, and Akon discussed the recording of the "We Are The World" re-make and the song's co-writer, Michael Jackson. The original "We Are The World" was released 25 years ago; it generated over $30 Million in 1980's U.S. dollars to help impoverished people in Africa.

We Are the World 2010 for Haiti

Quincy Jones and Lionel Ritchie have tapped Grammy Award-winning producer Ken Ehrlich to helm a remake of Michael Jackson's worldwide hit song "We Are the World" to raise funds for Haiti earthquake relief. The original song was released 25 years ago on January 25th to raise funds for relief of famine in Africa under the name USA for Africa. The recording will definitely be missing something without Michael there, but Jones and Ritchie are quietly asking big name stars to devote extra time towards the project over Grammy weekend. The producers have not yet confirmed any of the participants, but they will undoubtedly reach out to the best of the best today and include some of the megastars from the original 1980's release.

Essence Festival Kicks Off With Tribute to King of Pop

Brass band musicians on trumpet, trombone and tuba belted out "A Closer Walk With Thee" as the Essence Music Festival gave a salute to Michael Jackson befitting a New Orleans jazz funeral procession. The festival runs through Sunday.

At a concert featuring performances by Beyonce, John Legend, Ne-Yo (who has performed at every concert so far this summer) and Salt-n-Pepa in the Louisiana Superdome, the festival paid homage to Jackson with a picture and video montage and the New Orleans-styled tribute. There is also a rumor that Lionel Richie and the Commodores will reunite on Sunday.

Friday marked the festival's highest attendance in its 15-year history, said Michelle Ebanks, president of Essence Communications Inc. She wouldn't provide figures (so you know she lyin'), but reported a first-night sellout at the Superdome, which can seat about 85,000 people for football games and 350,000 for hurricanes.