The Black Eyed Peas has dedicated its breakthrough hit "Where is the Love?" to the havoc wrought by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States (US). Now, the Los Angeles-based quartet is releasing a remake of the modern classic, involving today's Hollywood A-listers.
The song's relevance more than a decade after its release lingers on today, with the world having experienced terrorist attacks in some of the world's major cities such as Paris, Brussels, and Orlando, alongside racial discord and political divides that rattled the US in the past few months.
Gracing the remake are Hollywood's fresh-faced millennials Kendall Jenner and Jaden Smith, who appears in the music video alongside all four of the Black Eyed Peas' members - Will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Taboo, and Fergie, and a host of other stars.
The likes of A$AP Rocky, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Jessie J, Snoop Dogg, and Nicole Scherzinger lent their vocals for the remake, which features lyrics well-suited to the world's current state of affairs. The music video also runs in black and white, which is symbolic of the song's message.
In a report by Daily Mail, Will.i.am spoke of the group's inspiration for the song following the 9/11 attacks. "My grandma said a prayer and said that we shouldn't stay home and be afraid when you're being called on to do as much healing as you can with the gift that was given to us."
Explaining the motivation, behind the remake, William explained via Just Jared: "I remember when the attack in Paris happened, people would say, 'We need "Where is the Love?'' again'...And then Belgium happened...Turkey, and then Orlando... Everyone was calling on us like, 'We need that song again.'"
Will.i.am then spoke of the song's ability to empower the new generation. "The millennials are powerful, I don't think they realize just how powerful they are...I hope this song 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."
Watch the "Where is the Love?" remake #WHERESTHELOVE here:
