Rita Wilson, has teamed up with Hip-Hop icons Naughty By Nature for “Hip Hop Hooray (Remix),” via Tommy Boy Music, and available exclusively on YouTube today. Listen here: https://lnk.to/HipHopHoorayRemix. The single will be released widely on all digital/streaming platforms this Friday, April 10 and accessible here then.
Net profits from the recording will be donated to the MusiCares® Foundation Inc. COVID-19 Relief Fund to help those in the music community affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. For more information visit their website here.
The new and surprising, tongue-in-cheek remix of the multi-platinum 1992 hit was born out of a set of unexpected circumstances. Wilson explains, “’Hip Hop Hooray’ is like modern day Shakespeare. I originally learned the song for one of the most fun roles I ever played in the film Boy Genius. It took me a month to learn because it’s so complex and nuanced; it was like training for a marathon. The rhythms and tempos are so unique and creative. When I was quarantined and recovering from COVID-19 I wanted to see if I still remembered it, kind of like a brain exercise. To my surprise I did. I thought it would be fun to put it on my Instagram to show people I was doing okay and to make them smile. When Naughty By Nature commented about it, I couldn’t believe it. What a joy to be doing this remix with legends of the Hip-Hop world. I’m forever grateful for their generosity of spirit and for being able to raise money together for MusiCares® COVID-19 Relief Fund.”
Naughty By Nature adds, “We are honored to have Rita Wilson recite our song. We were totally shocked she could rap the verses so well. We were aware she contracted COVID-19, and was quarantined along with her husband Tom. The next thing we know, everyone began to inbox us her Instagram. We are honored to be part of the remix of our classic song to raise awareness and help fight the coronavirus. Thanks again to Rita Wilson and Tom Hanks for embracing us, and for helping us take the unexpected viral moment further for such a great cause.”
The multi-talented Wilson is an accomplished singer-songwriter, acclaimed actress, and successful producer, with her first love being music. The likes of Michelle Obama and Brandi Carlile have praised her artistry, while The New York Times noted, “she has a catch in her voice that conveys yearning,” and Forbes called her voice, “smooth as silk.” Her latest and fourth studio album, Halfway to Home is Southern California rock meets Nashville country, featuring songs co-written with an A-List group, such as GRAMMY-winner Liz Rose, Kristian Bush of Sugarland (who she also toured with), Mozella (Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus), Mitch Allan (Demi Lovato), and Kara DioGuardi (Pink, Kelly Clarkson). Rita has performed the world over on her own headlining shows, on the iconic stages of the Grand Ole Opry and Sydney Opera House and coveted slots at Stagecoach and CMA Fest among others. On April 5, Wilson sang an inspired rendition of The National Anthem on the eNASCAR iRACING Pro Invitational Series race on FOX, and she is also hosting “CMT GIANTS Kenny Rogers: A Benefit For MusiCares,” an uplifting celebration to honor the extraordinary life and legendary music of the late Kenny Rogers, premiering Wednesday, April 8 at 8 PM ET/PT on CMT. The special will encore on MTV Live at 8:00 PM ET/PT on April 10 and again on CMT at 12:00 PM ET/PT on April 11.
Naughty by Nature is an iconic Hip-Hop trio hailing from New Jersey, consisting of Treach, Vin Rock and DJ Kay Gee. The GRAMMY Award winning, platinum-selling supergroup has a thirty-year record of creating consistent history-making hits and party anthems that have become the soundtrack to our lives. Initially called “New Style,” Naughty By Nature began performing at talent shows and were discovered by fellow New Jersey native and then-emerging Hip-Hop artist, Queen Latifah. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1991 and quickly assaulted the music charts with the instant classic #1 hit “O.P.P.” The group quickly became crossover stars, while maintaining their ghetto sensibility. To date, their success and longevity as a Hip-Hop group is unparalleled. As the marketing genius behind the group, Vin Rock developed Naughty Gear, one of the first Hip-Hop inspired clothing lines. The group continues to tour globally. Fresh off the 2019 New Kids On The Block’s nationally sold out MixTape Tour, after a record selling 600,000+ tickets, Naughty By Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray” performance broke digital records on 2019’s MTV VMA finale alongside Wyclef Jean, Fetty Wap, and Queen Latifah. Naughty By Nature are truly the definition of Hip-Hop Rock and Roll.
