Remake of "We Are The World" Is Hit & Miss

I am not a fan of sequels and remakes of classic songs and movies, especially if it is not better than the first one. Not to downplay the tragedy of the January earthquake in Haiti or the intentions of Quincy Jones and Lionel Ritche, but I didn't care for the remake of the 1985 song.

The "We Are The World" remake for Haiti is not as good as the 1st, and may even be worse. The original has an array of artists from different musical genres as does the new one. However, I liked it up until Wyclef's yoddling, and I really could have done without the hip hop break and Lil' Wayne/T-Pain's autotune.

I did enjoy that some of my favorite artists in it, such as Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Pink, Usher, Mary Mary, and Maroon 5's Adam Levine. I was even suprised by the performances of young stars Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus. However, it is a shame to think that one artist in particular is using his Haitian heritage for more publicity, and that would be Wyclef Jean.

I didn't like his part, not because he used "Nou se mond la" (Hatian for "We are the world), but because he just didn't sound good. I understand that it was for Haiti (his home country), but I just hope that his effortsto raise money for Haiti are for the right reasons and not to get publicity or something.

Overall, the "We Are the World" remake was ok, but it did not blow me away, but I didn't really expect for it to.

"Rude Boy" Brought Me Back as a Rihanna Fan

Ever since Rihanna has been on her "rock star" image, she had been slowly losing me as a fan, from a style standpoint moreso than musically. From the crazy haircuts to the outrageous behavior, I was beginning to have a different view of her as an artist, and NOT in a good way.

I had been a fan of hers since Music of the Sun and her 2nd album, A Girl Like Me is one of my favorites. I found it refreshing that her reggae style seemed to be genuine and I was really feeling it.

Don't get me wrong; I am ALL for change and evolving yourself and I know that she has been going through some things in the past year with the whole Chris Brown thing, but I wanted the old Rihanna back...

AND I GOT IT!!!!! First of all, I absoultely LOVE this song, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites from her latest album, Rated R. Besides it being very catchy and rather raunchy, her blatent sexuality is refreshing to me, because I am not used to it but it didn't turn me off to the song.

This video is FIRE and I actually like the outrageous AWESOMENESS and her ability to put herself out there in this way. I think that it is fun and daring and I am sure that she had fun making it. I also enjoyed her returning to her Caribbean roots, from the colors to the dancing.

Here it is for your viewing pleasure: