Jay-Z Explains Why He Turned Down "We Are The World" Role

In light of the tragedy in Haiti, celebrities and artists banded together to create We Are the World: 25 For Haiti, a remake of the 1985 classic single, which featured the likes of Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, among others. A few names were noticeably absent from the list of artists on the updated song though; Hip-Hop superstar Jay-Z being one of them.

During the annual 2 Kings dinner which features him and NBA star Lebron James, Jay-Z broke down his reason for turning down the opportunity to be involved with the project. And according to the rapper, though he supports the intention of the 2010 "re-do", he doesn't think the song should have been remade.

"I know everybody is gonna take this wrong," began Jay. "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 want to see it touched."

Jay also said that he felt making a new song would have been the better idea, as opposed to re-working the classic.

"I would've loved that idea better. As everyone knows, I have tremendous respect for Quincy Jones. Of course, I think he's a genius, as everyone else does. [But] I think it's time for us to make a new [song]. 

- By Sharniece Moore