All-Star Lineup Says 'We Are Family'; Dr. Dre Donates $1M

All-Star Lineup Says 'We Are Family'; Dr. Dre Donates $1M

All-Star Lineup Says 'We Are Family'; Dr. Dre Donates $1M

By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Joe D'Angelo and Corey Moss
09/20/2001

Dr. Dre has ponied up $1 million, Britney Spears and Busta Rhymes are joining Sister Sledge's new "Family" and Mariah Carey is coming out of seclusion as musicians of all stripes seek ways to pitch in to the worldwide relief effort for victims of last week's terrorist attacks.

A wide range of artists has been lined up by famed producer, Chic member and disco icon Nile Rodgers to remake Sister Sledge's 1979 hit "We Are Family," which he co-wrote and co-produced.

The New York native said on Tuesday that Britney Spears, Busta Rhymes, 'NSYNC, Run-D.M.C., Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Vanessa Williams, Joan Rivers, Macaulay Culkin, Kevin Bacon and Sister Sledge themselves have all joined the project. The cover tune will be recorded in two sessions — one on Saturday in New York and the other on Sunday in L.A. Rodgers said he's still trying to decide which charities should benefit, though he made it clear he wants the money to help the survivors and families of those killed in the WTC disaster.

"I let my heart reach out, and it pointed me in the right direction," Rodgers said. "Everybody I reached out to really just came through."

Rodgers, who said he's working on a different beat for the song and that the all-stars will be singing "a new interpretation," said he has no worries about making harmony between established singers and celebrities who aren't exactly known for carrying a tune.

"There's something I've noticed all my life," he said. "When you walk in a room full of people, and people start singing 'Happy Birthday,' something is really beautiful about that because of the spirit. The vibe is right. We can fix pitch [with studio equipment], but there is no button in the studio to add vibe."

To help do his part, Dr. Dre anted up $1 million to L.A. radio station KPWR-FM (Power 106)'s Power of a Dollar Relief Fund, which benefits the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Tyrese, Fat Joe and Russell Simmons are among those who have pledged funds to New York radio powerhouse WQHT (Hot 97)'s Hip Hop Has Heart Foundation. Both those efforts are part of a joint venture with the stations' parent company, Emmis Communications (see "Musicians From Madonna To Godsmack Pledge Aid").

On Tuesday, Britney Spears pledged to donate $1 from each ticket she sells during her fall tour of the U.S., as well as profits from merchandising and other tour endeavors, to help the children of police and firefighters lost in the incident at the World Trade Center (see "Britney Spears To Raise Money For Children Of WTC Disaster").

Madonna, Janet Jackson, Maxwell, Incubus and Backstreet Boys are among the entertainers who have already donated proceeds from concert performances to various relief charities (see "Madonna Closes Drowned World Tour With Prayer, Donation").

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