This Day in Pop: What's Going On charity single is released in 2001 (October 30)

[PokemonSpears]

On October 30, 2001, a group of artists under the name of Artists Against AIDS Worldwide released a 9 mix CD, which included multiple cover versions of the Marvin Gaye song What's Going On.

The intention behind this album was to benefit the AIDS programs in Africa and other regions, but after the 9/11 attacks, it was decided that half of the proceeds would go to the American Red Cross' fund as well.

The artists that collaborated in this campaign were Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Destiny's Child, Jermaine Dupri, Fred Durst, Eve, Perry Farrell, Nelly Furtado, Nona Gaye, Darren Hayes, Ja Rule, Jagged Edge, Alicia Keys, Aaron Lewis, Lil' Kim, Jennifer Lopez, Chris Martin, Pat Monahan, Monica, Nas, Nelly, *NSync, P. Diddy, T Boz and Chili, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, Michael Stipe, User and Scott Weiland.

 

The single, produced by Jermaine Dupri and Bono, peaked at #27 on the BBH100 and it became a Top 10 hit in several other countries. The music video was directed by Jake Scott.

 

[PuertoRicosFinest]

Wooooow so nostalgic! I remember this was a big deal on the AOL home screen lol.  Looking at it today it’s pretentious and obnoxious and sort of hilariously tacky but I’m glad it was for a good cause.  Except “cancel the debt”.  I don’t get that part and it seems a bit tricky.

Britney and Beyoncé were kinda battling it out for top spot there huh!?

[Garrett]

This makes me feel so old!!!!!!! I remember this being a big deal when it came out, I still occasionally listen to this song lol

[myonlywish]

I love this song, I always wait for the countdown show to watch this video. What I only found out recently were the different versions, as well as music videos. The one video I remember had the artists performing in the studio... I wish more artists came together to create such a masterpiece.

[Roxxy]

ICONIC! and version with Britney is the superior one.

[PokemonSpears]

13 minutes ago, myonlywish said:

I love this song, I always wait for the countdown show to watch this video. What I only found out recently were the different versions, as well as music videos. The one video I remember had the artists performing in the studio... I wish more artists came together to create such a masterpiece.

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

7 hours ago, PokemonSpears said:

  

 

 

Lol at these two together

I remember a story from 2003 where they were at the same party and both kept the biggest distance from each other that they could do 

[OnlyBeyonce]

5 hours ago, PokemonSpears said:

 

 

 

this is the correct version 

[Iconic 4 U]

I've always thought this single was a bop, everyone's voices actually went well together 

Also I love that they gave Britney and Justin the same part to sing

[PokemonSpears]

2 hours ago, OnlyBeyonce said:

this is the correct version 

 I couldn't find a higher resolution picture and this is what you bring

[OnlyBeyonce]

47 minutes ago, PokemonSpears said:

 I couldn't find a higher resolution picture and this is what you bring

i made the edit by myself 

[PokemonSpears]

[Jefferson Silva]

wow wow i feel really old now cause i remember when the mv came out lmaao

this is so old that even that guy from savage garden is on it

 

 

[Arwen]

I still have this cd single. I give the song a spin every once in a while. I have playlists dedicated to each year and this one is on my 2001 playlist. Britney's presence on this makes it legendary of course.

[filmandstage13]

Omg I had this CD! I also had to wait until the era of YouTube to see the official video because in the US they always seemed to show the version with clips of people recording the song in the studio.

Love Brit’s sultry voice alongside Beyoncé’s! Christina also sounds great - I love her adlib on the outro to her part. I also always loved Nelly’s rap.

So iconic. Makes me miss the early naughts. A true millennial fever dream 

[On_Mah_Raydah]

5 hours ago, Arwen said:

I still have this cd single. I give the song a spin every once in a while. I have playlists dedicated to each year and this one is on my 2001 playlist. Britney's presence on this makes it legendary of course.

Same, love my 1999-2001 playlists

[rennen]

I prefer the version where it's just Britney and Beyonce singing together without the rude and unnecessary interruption from J.Lo.

Also, does anyone from the UK remember Newsround? They interviewed Britney, Beyonce and Bono together during the recording of the song. I watched the interview live at the time and have never seen it again. From memory I think they showed additional footage of Britney in the recording booth. Talk about major rare lost footage!