Director: Savanah Leaf
Producers: Danielle Hinde/Danny Lockwood/ Rich Hutchins/ Jason Cole
Prod Co: Doomsday Entertainment
“We shot ‘What’s Going On’ in Detroit and Flint Michigan, we wanted a place that resonates with the song and the history of Motown, while also remaining relevant to the sociopolitical issues in the music video.
The music video took four days to shoot, but I travelled to Michigan a couple weeks early to find the right people. It was very important for us to find real people that resonated with the stories, rather than casting actors. We wanted the history of the song and the communities we filmed in to come through in our video. For example, Steve Smith, who plays the blind man in our music video, actually worked for Motown when ‘What’s Going On’ was originally recorded. The church we filmed in was one of the first establishments to set up a water station for the Flint community – they would hand out clean water and raise awareness on the ongoing crisis within the community.
In addition to Steve Smith, we had the opportunity to feature other influential community figures in our music video, including Karen Weaver, the mayor of Flint, and pivotal activists that have been involved in the Flint Water Crisis for many years. One such activist in our music video is named Ariana Hawk, who, along with her young son, was featured on the cover of Time Magazine during the height of the water crisis. She ended up moving from Flint, only to return in order to continue the fight for her community. To this day, the Flint Water Crisis has yet to be resolved, and Ariana continues to be a strong activist in the movement.
“The point is that this is a historic song for an important moment in history, and what’s beautiful is that it’s message is timeless and universal. It’s about human emotions, human relationships, and a coming together. My hope is that our music video will remind people to continue asking the question Marvin Gaye asked in 1971.” – Director: Savanah Leaf
YO SIEMPRE ESTARE PARA TI MI MIKE SIEMPRE POR SIEMPRE, YO TE ESPERO FIEL Y LEAL A QUE VENGAS POR MI PRONTO Y PODAMOS ESTAR JUNTOS DE UNA BUENA VEZ. SABES YO NO QUIERO CASA, NI JOYAS, NI DINERO, NI LUJOS, NI COSAS VANALES NI SUPERFLUAS, SOLO ES SUFICIENTE LO BASICO PARA VIVIR MODESTAMENTE , YO PUEDO TRABAJAR PARA AYUDARTE Y PODEMOS VIVIR CON EL SEÑOR JS, SOLO NECESITAMOS UNA HABITACION PARA DORMIR Y TENER NUESTRA INTIMIDAD, ESO ES SUFICIENTE PARA MI. VEN POR MI MI AMOR, EL SEÑOR JS ES TU FAMILIA Y ES MI FAMILIA TAMBIEN POR ESO TE DIGO VEN POR MI Y VIVAMOS TODOS JUNTOS EN UNA MISMA CASA COMO FAMILIA. AMEN
My father loved this song. I listened to this song on the day my father died, and it reminded me of him who cared for me like a running light. Until then, I had completely forgotten about this song. It is a song that I listen to when I suddenly remember. My father used to passionately talk about the background of this song. What would my father say if he saw Japan today? He would probably say that there are no samurai in Japan today. Seriously, what the hell is going on in Japan?
music royalty this man, may he rest in peace
Very sad for Marvin to die and sang a song describing his death
RIP Mr. Marvin Gaye
Marvin things are still the same.
Soul Alma musica gracias por dejarme escucharla
Very very moving
Thank you for the music Marvin, I loved you
Real soul before I knew what that was .. fabulous vinyl LP
WTF-the real gangsters walked away free of charge cuz they killed those of color with impunity.
50 years later nothing has changed.
Vito sto bene non ti preoccupare
Have a good day productions peace
I pray for peace
Thank Marvin for leaving us this great story and inspiration for everyone
2023. this song shows world hasn't changed yet
Eterno.
Average song. 🙁 not to my taste.
Cresci ouvindo musicas de qualidade deixou saudades esse mito da musica quem sabe sabe indiscutivel
YO SIEMPRE ESTARE PARA TI MI MIKE SIEMPRE POR SIEMPRE, YO TE ESPERO FIEL Y LEAL A QUE VENGAS POR MI PRONTO Y PODAMOS ESTAR JUNTOS DE UNA BUENA VEZ. SABES YO NO QUIERO CASA, NI JOYAS, NI DINERO, NI LUJOS, NI COSAS VANALES NI SUPERFLUAS, SOLO ES SUFICIENTE LO BASICO PARA VIVIR MODESTAMENTE , YO PUEDO TRABAJAR PARA AYUDARTE Y PODEMOS VIVIR CON EL SEÑOR JS, SOLO NECESITAMOS UNA HABITACION PARA DORMIR Y TENER NUESTRA INTIMIDAD, ESO ES SUFICIENTE PARA MI. VEN POR MI MI AMOR, EL SEÑOR JS ES TU FAMILIA Y ES MI FAMILIA TAMBIEN POR ESO TE DIGO VEN POR MI Y VIVAMOS TODOS JUNTOS EN UNA MISMA CASA COMO FAMILIA. AMEN
My father loved this song. I listened to this song on the day my father died, and it reminded me of him who cared for me like a running light. Until then, I had completely forgotten about this song. It is a song that I listen to when I suddenly remember. My father used to passionately talk about the background of this song. What would my father say if he saw Japan today? He would probably say that there are no samurai in Japan today. Seriously, what the hell is going on in Japan?
WE LOVE YOU MARVIN , PEACE AND LOVE
Some times you just gotta come back to this song it’s beautiful
This song still holds up in 2023 and fits. Our world hasn’t improved much has it?