Black Eyed Peas Releasing New Star-Studded Version of ‘Where Is the Love?’
Black Eyed Peas have remade their hit single “Where Is the Love?” with the help of stars including Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Usher and Jamie Foxx.
The group rose to international prominence when they released the song, about global issues including poverty, war and inequality, in 2003 featuring vocals by Justin Timberlake and their-then newest member Fergie.
Thirteen years on, Black Eyed Peas are releasing an updated version of the track with new vocal contributions from artists, including Jessie J, Mary J. Blige, Nicole Scherzinger, Tori Kelly and Jaden Smith.
The question still remains: WHERES THE LOVE [?]https://t.co/65kqw1joDg pic.twitter.com/WrDzGYEiDi
— Black Eyed Peas (@bep) September 1, 2016
Will.i.am announced the project on Instagram by sharing a list of musicians with the hashtag #WHEREStheLOVE and its Wednesday release date.
The rapper plus bandmates apl.de.ap and Taboo told ATTN: they felt the world needed to hear the song again following a string of tragic events across the globe such as the terror attacks in Paris, France in November, the recent police shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling and police officers in Dallas, and the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
“I remember when the attack in Paris happened, people would say, ‘We need “Where Is The Love?” again,'” will.i.am said in a video. “And then Belgium happened, then Turkey, and then Orlando, and then Philando and Alton before him, and then Dallas. Everyone was calling on us like ‘We need that song again.'”
According to clips on his Instagram, the trio took to the streets of Los Angeles on Tuesday night to plaster stickers featuring a question mark around the city, mirroring their actions in the original 2003 music video.
A website, wheresthelove.com, has also been created to encourage fans to donate to funds created in memory of Castile, Sterling and the Dallas police officers, plus the foundation set up to honor Aylan Kurdi, a Syrian boy who drowned while his family was trying to flee to Europe.
They hope the track inspires the new generation to stand up for change. Will.i.am added, “I hope this inspires the millennials to go all out, scream from the tallest mountain, care like your freedom depends on it, pay attention like that is at risk.”
Snippets of the stars, including reality star Kendall Jenner, DJ Khaled and Justin Timberlake once again, recording their vocals for the song were also included in the ATTN: video.
