GRAMMY-winning rapper Jay-Z was noticeably absent from the all-star line-up for the remake of “We Are the World” and for one particular reason: he felt it shouldn’t have been done.

“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,” Jay-Z said.

“I’m a fan of music. 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,” he continued.

“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.”

Jay-Z would’ve preferred a new song had been recorded.

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

Jay-Z said he tried to recognise the tragedy in Haiti with the song ‘Stranded,’ which he performed with Rihanna, Bono, and The Edge from U2 during the ‘Hope for Haiti’ telethon.

You know what Jigga? We agree – with all the talent brimming between Lionel Richie and Jones, surely a new song wasn’t hard to do?

Watch the “We Are the World 25 Haiti” video here.

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