Post by Motorcity on Aug 14, 2004 10:57:41 GMT -5
Babyface Urges Voters to "Wake Up"
By Josh Grossberg
Add Babyface and Missy Elliot to the growing list of artists looking to get out the vote in the months before the Nov. 2 presidential election.
The R&B star and hip-hop queen lead a cavalcade of music superstars--Brandy, Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean, Eve, Ashanti and Jadakiss, among them--who have come together to record a new all-star version of the classic hit "Wake Up Everybody" to benefit voter initiatives.
The anthem, recorded by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, was used by Democrats in 1976 during Jimmy Carter's run for the presidency to mobilize black voters.
Now Kenneth "Babyface" Edmunds, who produced the new cover, hopes to do the same and win the hearts and minds of Americans in an effort to unseat President Bush from office.
"This song is the spirit of the country, and all these artists have the will to change it, empower the young voters, and create a movement for people to vote and change the current administration," the singer-producer said in a statement. "The message of this song is timeless and especially meaningful in today's world. This will be a recording event destined to make history and certain to affect change in the November election."
The updated song features the familiar refrain--"Wake up/You've got the power"--but ends with a rap by Elliot in which she urges, "This is for everybody white or black/ You better go and vote and get up off your back."
The "Wake Up" single hits radio stations next Tuesday, while a CD featuring several bonus tunes will arrive in stores on Sept. 16. All proceeds will go towards America Coming Together, a liberal voter mobilization group.
Among the other album tracks are Yoko Ono's "Give Peace a Chance," Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On," Ben Jelen's "Talkin' Bout a Revolution," Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good" and "Eric Clapton and Babyface's, "Change the World." The disc will also come with an exclusive DVD of the recording sessions, which took place at New York's Hit Factory and Los Angeles' Capitol Records.
Other performers participating in the "Wake Up" session include Monica, Reverend Run from Run-D.M.C., Fabolous, Nate Dogg, Faith Evans, Jaheim, Claudette Ortiz, Floetry, Musiq Soulchild, Raphael Saadiq and--this is not a misprint--actor Jamie Foxx.
"Wake Up Everybody" is the latest effort by music stars to make a difference in the upcoming presidential contest.
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs recently kicked off Citizen Change, a new political organization devoted to getting young people to vote.
And last week, MoveOn.org and America Coming Together announced the Vote For Change Tour featuring the likes of Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt teaming for 34 concerts in 28 cities in swing states in October to help galvanize voters toward Kerry's side.
Babyface will pair with John Mellencamp for five shows together. No word whether Babyface will sing "Wake Up" live.
Ironically, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes were among the star performers at the 2000 Republican Convention.
By Josh Grossberg
Add Babyface and Missy Elliot to the growing list of artists looking to get out the vote in the months before the Nov. 2 presidential election.
The R&B star and hip-hop queen lead a cavalcade of music superstars--Brandy, Mary J. Blige, Wyclef Jean, Eve, Ashanti and Jadakiss, among them--who have come together to record a new all-star version of the classic hit "Wake Up Everybody" to benefit voter initiatives.
The anthem, recorded by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, was used by Democrats in 1976 during Jimmy Carter's run for the presidency to mobilize black voters.
Now Kenneth "Babyface" Edmunds, who produced the new cover, hopes to do the same and win the hearts and minds of Americans in an effort to unseat President Bush from office.
"This song is the spirit of the country, and all these artists have the will to change it, empower the young voters, and create a movement for people to vote and change the current administration," the singer-producer said in a statement. "The message of this song is timeless and especially meaningful in today's world. This will be a recording event destined to make history and certain to affect change in the November election."
The updated song features the familiar refrain--"Wake up/You've got the power"--but ends with a rap by Elliot in which she urges, "This is for everybody white or black/ You better go and vote and get up off your back."
The "Wake Up" single hits radio stations next Tuesday, while a CD featuring several bonus tunes will arrive in stores on Sept. 16. All proceeds will go towards America Coming Together, a liberal voter mobilization group.
Among the other album tracks are Yoko Ono's "Give Peace a Chance," Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On," Ben Jelen's "Talkin' Bout a Revolution," Linda Ronstadt's "You're No Good" and "Eric Clapton and Babyface's, "Change the World." The disc will also come with an exclusive DVD of the recording sessions, which took place at New York's Hit Factory and Los Angeles' Capitol Records.
Other performers participating in the "Wake Up" session include Monica, Reverend Run from Run-D.M.C., Fabolous, Nate Dogg, Faith Evans, Jaheim, Claudette Ortiz, Floetry, Musiq Soulchild, Raphael Saadiq and--this is not a misprint--actor Jamie Foxx.
"Wake Up Everybody" is the latest effort by music stars to make a difference in the upcoming presidential contest.
Sean "P. Diddy" Combs recently kicked off Citizen Change, a new political organization devoted to getting young people to vote.
And last week, MoveOn.org and America Coming Together announced the Vote For Change Tour featuring the likes of Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, James Taylor and Bonnie Raitt teaming for 34 concerts in 28 cities in swing states in October to help galvanize voters toward Kerry's side.
Babyface will pair with John Mellencamp for five shows together. No word whether Babyface will sing "Wake Up" live.
Ironically, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes were among the star performers at the 2000 Republican Convention.