Red Hot is a not-for-proft that began in 1990 “dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.” It all started when Leigh Blake and John Carlin put together the Cole Porter tribute album Red Hot + Blue. Over three decades later, Red hot has made 20 compilation albums with proceeds that go toward raising awareness for and combatting the AIDS epidemic. Today, Red Hot announced its latest album Red Hot + Free, which is headed by artist manager, producer, and entertainment industry polymath Bill Coleman and features artists including Billy Porter, SOFI TUKKER x Amadou & Mariam, Casey Spooner of Fischerspoon, Sam Sparro, Vagabon, and Louis the Child & Foster the People.
Coleman said of the comp, “When Red Hot + Blue came out in 1990, the project and subsequent releases were forward thinking in concept, inclusion, and marketing, uniting a wide variety of visual and musical talent to raise awareness. The subject of AIDS and discussing any queer sexuality in popular culture was a provocative stance in 1990. I feel honored to be a part of such a rich legacy. Weaving two things I love so much—music—with direct, in your face presence and activism. To be able to finish a project purposely called Red Hot + Free and include such a powerful tune as ‘U Try Livin” during a time when the stark reality of our own mortality has really hit home was kind of a big deal. The irony was not lost on me.”
“U Try Livin’ (Pressure)” by Black Guy White Guy and 808 BEACH is the first single from the comp, a writing and production collaboration between UK soul royalty Kwame Kwaten (D-Influence, Laura Mvula) and Gil Cang (Michael Jackson) with Bill Coleman (Deee-Lite, Lenny Kravitz, Party Girl) and musical wunderkind John “J-C” Carr (Sia, Zayn).
Listen to “U Try Livin’ (Pressure)” and pre-save Red Hot + Free here.
