In Michael Jackson's Sept. 6 announcement, Jackson named the heavyweights he said would be joining him in the new Katrina single "From The Bottom Of My Heart": Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, R. Kelly, Lauryn Hill, James Brown, Wyclef Jean, Lenny Kravitz and eight other acts. A publicist who works with one platinum-selling act on the list said the announcement was met with a ripple of irked surprise.

"A lot of the people on that list found out about their commitment when the release came out," the publicist said.

 

As to the status of any participants other than Brown, everyone seems to be in the dark.

"Do you know who is going forward with it?" Bobbit asked. "What I have heard is that some of the singers will not be there. I think some of them may have been enthusiastic at the start but that the delays might be a problem. People are busy."

Bobbit said he heard that R. Kelly had dropped out. Kelly's manager, Derrel McDavid, would say only that the singer's schedule is in flux and that he is uncertain where the entire project stands. Laura Swanson, senior vice president of publicity for Island Def Jam, the label home of Carey, would only say, "I don't believe Michael's done any recording for his benefit single. At least not that I've heard of."

Bain did not answer when asked which artists were expected to join in, nor did she address the suggestion that some artists had been caught off guard by the use of their names.

She did e-mail: "The project is continuing on a fast track as it has been less than a month since Mr. Jackson announced his plans regarding his Katrina Relief effort. . . . Mr. Jackson looks forward to the participation of the artists whose goals and objectives are the same as his."

 

Originally, Bain said digital technology would make it easy for stars to send in their vocal contributions from wherever they were, but Bobbit said he'd heard the plan was to assemble everyone on a soundstage in New York, London or Los Angeles.

"Mr. Brown will be there, wherever it is," Bobbit added.

 

Source: LA Times

 

Dont forget Babyface said he would be taking part.

yea the whole thing's a lost cause i reckon, all talk.

well, i think these so called 'stars' shud get off there asses and help mike out with this. its all for a good cause, im sure they can spare jus a couple of days, if that

Most of them are well busy, R. Kelley has already made his own relief song.

well good 4 him, but im sure that some of them can spare a lil time. they shud stop doing stuff 4 themselves and start helping mike out

I think it a great idea to release this, but it should've been done earlier like a week after the hurricane. But the other singer should help Michael out.

Edited October 20, 200520 yr by Stephluvsmj

Why does he need help? If hes that great he can do it by himself anyway, its just humiliating saying people are gonna do something when they dont even know they are <_<

we all got ot admit that being accused of child molestation 2 times makes you look really bad. if its true or not. even though he has been found not guilty. alot of people dont want to work with him anymore and his image isnt as great as it used to be. We all got to admit that and we got ot help him get his good name back.