'NSYNC Join Jackson's Charity Single; Mariah, Celine Sing In Spanish
10.22.2001
'NSYNC have joined the star-studded roster for Michael Jackson's charity single "What More Can I Give," whose Latin version will feature Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and the Gloved One testing out their Español.
Though Jackson originally announced only Justin Timberlake's involvement, all five 'NSYNC members recorded their vocals in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, the day before JC Chasez and Chris Kirkpatrick debuted the ballad live with Jackson, Carey, Mya and several others at a benefit concert at RFK Stadium (see " 'NSYNC, Michael Jackson, P. Diddy, Mariah Stand United At D.C. Concert").
Proceeds from "What More Can I Give" will go to September 11 relief efforts, but Jackson's reps have not announced what organizations will receive the funds. Both the English and Spanish versions of the song are expected to be completed by the end of the week, according to KC Porter, who is producing the Spanish version and assisting Jackson in producing the English version.
"It really is the same feeling you get from 'We Are the World,'" Porter said Monday, referring to the 1985 charity single that benefited famine-relief efforts in Ethiopia. That song featured hordes of pop stars recruited by the song's writers — Jackson, Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie and Harry Belafonte.
"The feeling that I'm getting from everyone is they want to do what they can do whole-heartedly, selflessly. The whole vibe of the artistic community has changed — it's not only about 'me' anymore, it's about what we can all do to provide for the whole of humanity. It's an awakening."
Porter initially translated the song's title literally for the Spanish version but changed it to "Todo Para Ti" ("Everything for You") after Jackson vetoed the directly translated title as sounding too clumsy.
Though the tracks are more or less the same musically, only a handful of stars will do double-duty and appear on both the English and Spanish versions. They include Jackson, Carey, Dion, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin and Jon Secada. Porter currently has 'NSYNC framing Jackson's lyrics in the chorus of the English version, but the mix is pending Jackson's approval. The producer also may place them in the background on the Spanish version, though the boy band only recorded the lyrics in English.
Jackson and Porter have been flying around the country over the past few weeks to record with the different contributors, and the sessions have been videotaped for a music video. A video shoot was planned for Monday but fell through, Porter said.
Also among the artists slated to appear on the songs, according to Jackson's reps, are: Destiny's Child, Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter, Tom Petty, Shakira, Usher, Julio Iglesias, Reba McEntire, Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight, Aaron Carter, Billy Gilman, Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman, Alejandro Sanz, Christian Castro, Olga Tañón, Juan Gabriel, Luis Miguel, Thalía, Ziggy Marley and 3LW (see "Mariah, Celine Join Lineup For Michael Jackson Charity Single").
Porter said he's still hopeful to place a few more artists on the song, citing a wish list of Toni Braxton, Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin. Jackson's people initially named Britney Spears as a participant, but she was never confirmed, a source close to the project said.
For more information on and audience reaction to the attacks, including tips on how you can help, see "9.11.01: Moving Forward".
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