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The Fred Durst Disaster

Date of procurement: Sometime in fall 2001   

This vintage mp3 is a time capsule in the form of a slapped-together charity single. Featuring everyone from Ja Rule to Nelly Furtado, this Marvin Gaye cover was originally recorded to raise money for global AIDS causes. But after 9/11, it was released as a Red Cross fundraiser as well.

It’s an earnest effort, sure. But what makes this vintage mp3 so special can be summed up in two words: Fred Durst. His verse opens with the line, “Can somebody tell me what’s going on? We got human beings using humans for a bomb.” Which… wow… true. But hey, Fred: maybe a little soon? Or maybe just a little intense? It’s a charity single, man. It’s like how you’re not supposed to say “bomb” on an airplane. Don’t say “bomb” on a charity single. It’s weird that it has to be said, but yeah. Fred. Just chill out.

Anyway, this is a very low-quality version of a very 2001 song. Marvin would probably not approve. Of anything. Especially Fred Durst.

Unique features:      

• The early-2000s A-list: Puff Daddy, Jermaine Dupri, Bono, Gwen Stefani, Mary J. Blige, Brandy, a single Backstreet Boy, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Destiny’s Child, Ja Rule, Nelly Furtado, Michael Stipe, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Nas, Eve, and more. Oh and Fred Durst, of course.
• Extremely rough sound quality.
• Nelly near the peak of his powers. (i.e. pre-Nellyville era.)
• Only known appearance of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera on the same song, I guess.