25 years after the original version was recorded, a new batch of stars convened at the Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood, CA to re-record the charity anthem We Are The World in an effort to raise money and awareness for Haitian Relief. 25 years ago, We Are The World was written and recorded in an effort to raise money for African Aid so it is very fitting that the song would be remade for the people of Haiti. Here are a few photos from inside the recording studio yesterday for this momentous occasion:

Producers were putting the final touches Tuesday to a remake of “We Are The World” with stars such as Barbra Streisand, Wyclef Jean and Celine Dion lending their support for Haiti’s quake victims. It was 25 years ago that Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen joined others at the famed A&M Studios in Hollywood for an all-star recording of the same song to benefit famine relief in Africa. That effort, USA for Africa, raised 63 million dollars. This time, dozens of other A-listers — who also include Usher, Lil Wayne, Pink, Natalie Cole and the Jonas Brothers — took to the same soundstage late Monday for an hours-long recording that dragged into the night. The aim is to raise money to help survivors of the massive January 12 quake that killed 170,000 people and devastated what was already the poorest country in the Americas. No cameras were allowed inside, but the song’s producers said “We Are The World – 25 For Haiti” will air during NBC television’s coverage of the opening of the Winter Olympics on February 12. More than 70 stars — many of them hip-hop artists — lent their voice to the effort, none of them participants in the original recording. Rapper Wyclef Jean, a Haiti native, said in a statement he was “proud to be joined by so many members of the artistic community that want to support the region and have donated their time and talents to providing an effective way for the global community to get involved with helping the Haitian population.” The original tune was co-written and produced by Jackson, who died June 25 of cardiac arrest, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones. Richie and Jones produced the new version. Academy Award-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis, who directed “Crash” and also co-wrote “Million Dollar Baby,” filmed the session for an accompanying video. “What an unbelievable group of people who have come together to give their voices, for a cause to start the healing of a people who have experienced a devastation of such magnitude,” said Richie. Among the other performers spanning a broad swath of genres and ages, from 83-year-old Tony Bennett to 15-year-old Justin Bieber, were Carlos Santana, Brian Wilson and Al Jardine of the Beach Boys. “It kind of hit me that I guess this is something way more important than I could have ever imagined,” rapper Lil Wayne, who is playing Bob Dylan’s part from the original recording, told a news conference. The recording was timed just a day after the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards to ensure the maximum number of stars would attend. The contemporary version of the song and the video will be available to buy through online and traditional retailers. Producers say all proceeds will go “directly” to earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

This is such a fantastic idea … what a great way to raise money for Haitian relief. It’s such a shame that Michael Jackson couldn’t be part of this redux but it was nice of Kanye West to wear one of MJ’s jackets so that he could be there in spirit. I can’t even begin to express how much of an impact the original We Are The World had on me when it was released in 1985. I loved that song so much … I would sit by the radio and record it on cassette tapes every time it aired … I would have cassette tapes with just this song recorded on it over and over again. I’m really looking forward to hearing this version. I’m not sure why this report claims there were “no cameras” allowed in the studio because there were and a lot of photos have been made available. After the jump, check out some individual shots of some of the folks who participated in We Are The World: 25 Years for Haiti yesterday …

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Jason Mraz, the politically-minded musician and marijuana rights advocate, has posted a new blog on his personal website asking that all y’all out there consider using recycled products when purchasing toilet paper to use in your homes, schools, offices, etc. Mraz carefully and in great detail explains how the world’s use of 2-ply toilet tissue is having an adverse effect on our environment and he offers solutions to help YOU make more eco-friendly decisions when making t.p. purchasing choices. I understand the idea to share this wealth of information came to Jason while he was camping in Costa Rica … which is also from whence this photo of the nekkid singer doing his biz in the lake most likely comes from:

Recent News from our friends at the Natural Resource Defense Council (The NRDC) say that Americans’ addiction to two-ply, super soft toilet paper is causing greater harm to our environment than our gas guzzling cars. No shit. How is that so? In order to produce all that perfectly plush paper, companies must harvest tons of virgin trees, which the reaping of means less oxygen for the atmosphere to offset or all the carbon that seems to be frying us here on the surface. So our asses are in trouble. The US is the country that consumes the most forests specifically to fulfill the demand of Charmen Assficiandos far and wide. If you travel abroad, you may find discomfort in the thin one-ply offered up pretty much everywhere else. But that’s because most other countries are more careful about their resourceful trees and/or use recycled and post-consumer paper in the manufacturing of toilet tissue. Click HERE to learn what post-consumer means. I remember visiting India and being astounded to find there wasn’t any paper. Talk about saving trees and not clogging the septic! Instead, there was a water hose next to the toilet and it was recommend you use your hand (which is why you always shake hands and eat meals with your right (and only your right).) So I’m writing this today to invite you to buy only recycled or large percentage post consumer paper for your household, school or office. If you aren’t the one buying it, then encourage your janitorial staff to consider it. The paper isn’t nearly as soft, but it’s just as durable. Click HERE for the Tissue Shopper’s Guide provided by the NRDC. It was while camping in Costa Rica last week that I realized I needed to share this with you. When it came to the limited supply of tissue brought to the jungle, one has to be selective on how and when to use. My friend was amazed at how little paper was actually required for the job. And it has nothing to do with my raw diet, because quite honestly, I’ve been swimming in deeper waters lately, introducing my stomach to rich and indulgently devilish foods. (How dare I!) … Forgive me for being anal about this. I just thought I’d share the news and suggest an eco-friendly solution to one of nature’s biggest pains in the ass. For more helpful blogs like this one, intended to enhance your life and the lives of others around you, check out SuperForest.Org. It’s my personal favorite.

Pura Vida!
-Jason

Well … there you have it. I, personally, had no idea that the use of toilet paper in the Western World caused such a shitstorm for the environment … tho, it does make sense. I have to say, the idea of using recycled (ie. scratchy) toilet paper does not sound all that appealing, in the long run it does make more sense to make little sacrifices where we can. You’ve gotta love that Jason Mraz is always putting out useful information about subjects that he feels so strongly about. I’m also fond for his affinity for sharing such revealing photos … tho, let’s try and not think about what he’s prolly doing in that lake, shall we? Click HERE to read the entire text of Jason’s post which offers a few Toilet Tissue Tips. We can save the planet, one wipe at a time.

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Jason Mraz, who has been known to dabble in the ways of Mary Jane, has posted a whole slew of new photos in honor of his friend Toca Rivera’s 53rd birthday showing the pals celebrating his bday by participating in a march for the legalization of marijuana … which is what any good friend would do ;) Here are a few of Jason’s personal photos from their march to “Free the Weed” and the full text of his latest blogpost explaining what is going on in the photos:

Free The Weed

Happy Birthday Brother.

LOVE IT! And what a great birthday for Jason’s friend Toca. Actually, the randomness of a parade like this coming by right when you wish for it is very reminiscent of the No on Prop 8 protests that were sweeping LA in the weeks following Election Day last November. I was out with friends one Saturday night and we were talking about how upset we were that Prop 8 passed in California and then a protest march came parading down the street! We ran out of the bar we were in and joined the protesters for a little bit. This scenario sounds just like that one. I don’t know Toca Rivera at all but I am glad to know that he had a great birthday with his friend Jason Mraz. Kudos to Jason for so openly advocating a cause he believes in. I have many friends who also champion the same cause. Woot!

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The insane drama over Chris Brown’s arrest and the allegations that he assaulted his girlfriend Rihanna ALMOST overshadowed the 51st Annual Grammy Awards that took place at the Staples Center last night … but fear not, the awards went off without a hitch and, at least in person, provided a very fun night of entertainment. David and I were able to attend the Grammy Awards last night, courtesy of our friends at ABSOLUT Vodka, and we had a pretty phenomenal time at the Staples Center … even tho we were trying to keep apprised of the Chris Brown info as it came out thruout the show, we were able to enjoy the Grammys nonetheless. Here are a few photos from the Grammy Award red carpet arrivals last night:

Everyone was lookin’ their swanky best … Jennifer Hudson and Carrie Underwood looked lovely (tho, I preferred the dress that J. Hud changed into for her onstage performance) and Jesse McCartney looked crazed as he latched on to Paris Hilton’s teet for their odd photo op. Dunno what the kid was trying to accomplish but I hope he bathed afterward.

It turned out that Alison Krauss and Robert Plant were the big winners of the evening … along with Adele who took home the award for Best New Artist (edging out Duffy and the Jonas Brothers — thank God!). After the jump, check out some photos from the Grammy Press room of some of the winners with their trophies and find out who won what at last night’s affair …

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When last we saw Jason Mraz here on the blog we saw a photo of the guy lounging on a couch while wearing only a pair of boxer shorts and a horse head … before that, he was posing with a questionable looking cigarette … today we get to see pics of Mr. Mraz at the Charles Cowles Gallery in NYC which hosted a booksigning last night for Jason’s new book of Polaroid photos titled a thousand things. Here are a few pics of Jason posing with his trusty Polaroid camera and signing a few books at last night’s event:

When asked about his new book in a recent interview, Jason had this to say: For the past five years that I’ve been touring, I’ve taken Polaroid instant film; Polaroid 600, the cheapest kind you can buy. And there’s really something quite novelty and interesting about this film, and now I’ve taken thousands and thousands of pictures.

Love it! This is exactly the thing I’ve been trying to do for the past few months with my Polaroid camera … and the waning stock of Polaroid film that is out there. I already ordered my copy of Jason’s book mainly because I’m still kinda obsessed with all things Polaroid but I’m also hoping it’ll offer some inspiration for my ongoing project. It’s too bad I’m in LA this week instead of NY … it would’ve been great to go to this event.

[Photo credit: Wireimage]

Jason Mraz has updated his official My Space profile with a new politically-minded blogpost and a sexily-charged photo. In his post, Jason encourages “staunch Republicans” who may be thinking about supporting “the well-spoken and well-organized Democratic Nominee” to go ahead with that support and promises that by doing so “everything will be fine”. I must admit, I find great merit in Mr. Mraz’s plea … but I’m having a hard time focusing on anything other than the photo that accompanies his latest blogpot. The sexy pic of a mostly-nekkid Jason Mraz wearing only a pair of undies and a horse mask (tho, I suppose it could be a donkey mask) is pretty hawt and is sure to appeal to quite a few folks … including those of the equestrian persuasion. Here is the photo in question and the text of Jason’s latest blogpost in full:

Last year Bob Dylan compiled a song list for Starbucks’ Artist Choice Series. In addition to offering up a keen selection of country, blues, and jazz, he also supplied notes and commentary as to why he held the songs in such regard. BUT, the best part was the forward.

-mraz
Berlin

Oh yeah, this is deffo the kind of thing that I think Equus character Alan Strang would totes be into, don’t you think? I mean … it’s a nice pic. But, I gotta wonder if Jason was engaging in any of THIS activity when he posed for this lovely photo. HMMM. But, more importantly, the message … it should be all about the message, I think … which is … um, yeah, what he said up there. Yeah, sorry, I’m still pretty distracted by the pic … aren’t you?

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Here are a couple of kinda amazing photos of singer/songwriter Jason Mraz holding what looks to be a marijuana cigarette (or a joint, if you will) while backstage with Dutch television host Sascha Visser (who is not just holding a joint but is puffin’ on it, too). The photo has been captioned by the photo agency “Jason Mraz smoking a joint” but, in all fairness, the photos do not necessarily show that A.) Jason is holding an actual joint per se (it could be a hand-rolled tobacco cigarette) or that B.) Jason is smoking anything (he’s just holding it) … check ‘em out:

Now, we know for a fact that Jason likes to wield sharp cutlery while in his skimpy underwear but we do not know for a fact that he likes to smoke dope. I think it’s pretty safe to assume that he likes to engage in said enterprise but … well, let’s just let the photos speak for themselves. I gotta say, Jason Mraz’s appeal has really grown on me in the past few months. I love his new album, I love his My Space updates and I love that pics like these exist. He looks fun. What do y’all think … is he puffin’ on the happy grass or do any of y’all think it’s just a regular ol’ hand-rolled tobacco cig?

[Photo credit: X17]