A group of friends in the entertainment industry inspired by Sen. Barack Obama’s speech following the New Hampshire primary have produced a powerful music video urging Americans to vote. The filmmaker is Jesse Dylan, son of activist musician, Bob Dylan. The new song, written by Black Eyed Peas’ frontman and songwriter, will.i.am, was released Friday after being filmed and performed entirely in the two days prior.
Celebrity-filled music videos have been created to support many social movements, from famine relief to American farmers, from AIDS relief in Africa to the anti-apartheid fight, but this is possibly the first time celebrities and musicians have banded together to create new music in the midst of a presidential campaign.
Will.i.am says, “I’m not trying to convince people to see things how i do. I produced this song to share my new found inspiration and how I’ve been moved. I hope this song will make you feel…
love… and think… and be inspired just like the speech inspired me.”
Check out this inspiring MUST-SEE video:
The music video “Yes We Can” premiered on ABCNewsNow’s “What’s the Buzz” on Friday, but is intended to be distributed for free on the web. The star power comes from a range of celebrities including: Scarlett Johansson, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Kate Walsh, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Adam Rodriquez, Kelly Hu, Amber Valetta and Nick Cannon, Aisha Tyler, Harold Perrineau, Enrique Murciano.
According to will.i.am, “It made me reflect on the freedoms I have, going to school where I went to school, and the people that came before Obama, like Martin Luther King, and presidents like Abraham Lincoln that paved the way for me.”
Director and filmmaker, Dylan said, “The speech was inspiring — about making change in America — and I believe what it says and I hope everybody votes.”
LOVE this, Geri. It’s so inspiring. Wouldn’t it be great to see the majority of Americans turn out and vote this year? I just want to see people hopeful and engaged in the process. Yes We Can, indeed!