In April, Fiverr and Universal Music Enterprises held a contest, asking Fiverr artists to create an animated character based on SaLaAM ReMi’s remix of Marvin Gaye’s song “Save The Children.” The winners would have their characters featured in the music video. Today, the music video premiered, integrating the work of the winners.
The video features various animation styles coming together, from artwork that resembles cut-and-pasted magazine clippings, to storybook-like creations. It also includes an animated cover image of Marvin Gaye’s iconic record What’s Going On, on which “Save the Children” originally appeared, while the soul star is presented in multiple artistic styles.
ReMi’s remix of “Save the Children” appears on the 2021 EP, Save The World Remix Suite. The EP also includes a re-imagined version of Gaye’s “Sad Tomorrows,” an early version of “Flying High (In the Friendly Sky),” holiday song “I Want to Come Home for Christmas,” and “No Need,” a previously unreleased instrumental song from Gaye that was recorded during the “Sad Tomorrows” sessions.
“Marvin Gaye has been my favorite artist as his 70s LPs are unmatched as singular bodies of work,” said ReMi in a statement at the time. “It was an honor to be able to look at the What’s Going On LP and to be able to create a remix suite to sit next to it. This is a dream come true. LoveLiveMPG.”
What’s Going On became one of Gaye’s most important records, with timeless songs that brought awareness to socio-political issues, from poverty and racism to environmental perils. In celebration of the album’s 50th anniversary, What’s Going On received a special vinyl reissue in April. It includes the debut release of four rare cuts, as well as previously unreleased stripped-down versions of the album tracks. It also comes with a sheet containing the lyrics for each song, a rare image from the cover sessions, and an essay that honors the legacy of arranger David Van De Pitte.