Earlier this month, Jennifer Hudson teamed up with will.i.am to create “The Love,” a reimagining of Black Eyed Peas’ “Where Is The Love?,” a single from 2003’s Elephunk that’s centered around police brutality and systematic racism. This time, the track incorporates excerpts from Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, which Hudson sings over as part of her verse:
“Just a week ago yesterday, it was the third anniversary of the events in Charlottesville … remember seeing those Neo-Nazis, remember seeing those clansmen … remember the violent clash that ensued, between those spreading hate and those with the courage to stand against it/
And remember what the President said when asked? He said there were quote, “very fine people on both sides,” it was a wake-up call for us as a country…/”
The accompanying video mixes footage of protests, essential workers preparing for the Coronavirus pandemic, and more with shots of Joe Biden speaking while Black Eyed Peas and Hudson sing along against a white background. Towards the end of the black-and-white clip, the focus turns to voting for love and equality — in this case, by ensuring that Biden is the victor of this year’s election:
“This will determine what America is gonna look like for a long, long time, character is on the ballot, compassion is on the ballot, decency, science, democracy, they’re all on the ballot.”
What’s striking about “The Love” is that this isn’t even the first reincarnation of “Where Is The Love?” Back in 2016, Black Eyed Peas released “#WHEREISTHELOVE,” which featured the likes of Jamie Foxx, Ty Dolla $ign, Mary J. Blige, Diddy, The Game, French Montana, Timberlake (who appeared on the original version), DJ Khaled, Usher, A$AP Rocky, and Jaden Smith, among others. As will.i.am quips in the newer song’s description, the fact that the song keeps being reused only shows that this country still hasn’t learned from its mistakes.
Press play on “The Love” below.