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March 12, 2002 'What's Going On' DVD is releasedPlaytone and Columbia Music Video have released the one-hour documentary 'The Making of What's Going On' - which brings you into the recording studio and onto the set of the historical music video with all the artists that came together in the name of AIDS awareness and relief in Africa and for the United Way's September 11th Fund. The DVD also includes two alternate versions of the video, in addition to the popular version that aired around the world. The video won a 2002 MVPA Video Award for Best R&B Video for directors Jake Scott and Malik Sayeed (Black Dog Films). Buy 'The Making of What's Going On' now! December 3, 2001 All
Star tribute 'What's Going On' wins at
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The All Star Tribute 'What's Going On' has won the 2001 My VH1 Award for There's No 'I' in Team (Best Collaboration).
The awards ceremony was held on Sunday, December 2, 2001 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Gwen Stefani and Nelly Furtado accepted the award on behalf of the project.
A tribute for the recording took place at the 2001 Billboard Awards on Tuesday, December 4, 2001.
The 'What's Going On' CD is now in record stores everywhere, entering Billboard's Top 200 Album sales chart at #15.
A personal note from Christina
On September 5 and 7, 2001, an ensemble of superstar artists gathered in New York City to record a new version of 'What's Going On,' Marvin Gaye's classic call for compassion, healing and love. The original focus of the project was to raise awareness and funds to fight the scourge of AIDS in Africa.
Producers of the single had scheduled its initial release for December 1, World AIDS Day. But in the wake of the tragic terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, the all-star ensemble put together by Bono, called Artists Against AIDS Worldwide, realized the recording's powerful healing message extended beyond the scope of the project's original aim. They worked at top speed to finish the recording and decided to donate 50% of its proceeds to the United Way's September 11th Fund and 50% to the AIDS relief effort which includes the Global AIDS Alliance, among others.
On Friday, September 21, 2001 at 4:56 pm (Eastern and Pacific), 3:56 pm (Central), and 2:56 pm (Mountain) -- MTV's 'Total Request Live' (TRL) premiered the song with original video footage of the recording session and World Trade Center rescue efforts (that was actually being edited during the show's broadcast).
Radio stations across the country then simultaneously broadcast 'What's Going On' on at 5:00 pm (Eastern / Central / Mountain / Pacific).
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Christina recorded her part for the single the night before MTV's Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 5, 2001. According to her spokesperson, others in the studio that night included 'N Sync's Justin Timberlake and JC as well as Gwen Stefani, Bono, and Nelly. Christina said that it was great to see Justin and JC again, and, of course, she's a big fan of Gwen. Everyone got along great and according to reports, Christina blew everyone away in the studio with her voice. She felt that it was a great experience.
'We have so many different artists together from so many different genres - it's so cool to see so many different energies in one room. Hopefully everyone's fans will want to take action and try to be a part of helping stop this. I know (politicians) could be doing a lot more to help this situation worldwide,' said Christina.
Christina's page at AAAW Artists Against Aids Worldwide
Most of the first version of the remake was recorded the week of MTV's Video Music Awards, prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, though Durst's rap, which includes lyrics about the tragedy, and Jennifer Lopez's chorus were recorded a few days after.
Nine different mixes of 'What's Going On' -- including a 'main mix' by Jermaine Dupri, a 'rock mix' by Fred Durst, and other mixes by A-list producers -- appear on the special CD.
Full track listing and artists
An video for 'What's Going On' was filmed in Los Angeles and New York three weeks after the recording sessions. The video features the same audio as the version currently airing on MTV, but the video footage will be different from the special clip put together by the channel. The video placed #15 on TRL's Year-end Countdown of 2001. A new pop version began airing on VH1 in January 2002 placing high on the channel's weekly Top 20 countdown.
- Al Gomes and A. Michelle with
reports from
www.whats-going-on.org and MTV.com
Making the 'What's Going On' video
Hear a clip of the new song now!
Watch the 'What's Going On' Video NOW!
Read more about the recording of 'What's Going On'
'What's Going On' - Complete lyrics
Read about the original 'What's Going On' by Marvin Gaye
Behind-the-scenes
footage and photos
at www.whats-going-on.org
| 'What's Going On' - 50% of its proceeds will go to the United Way's September 11th Fund and 50% will go to the AIDS relief effort which includes the Global AIDS Alliance. |
