April 21, 2008 - 1:23pm — TuVoz
NACIONAL RECORDS TO RELEASE VOTO LATINO BENEFIT ALBUM EXLUSIVELY ON iTunes
Voto Latino is 90% volunteer run with TONS of heart! We do our work with a fraction of what it takes most and that's only because of the collective dedication our community has demonstrated to enfranchising each other.
In an effort to continue our quirky voter engagement programs - we need your help! 15 artists have donated their songs (INCREDIBLE), iTunes is donating all net proceeds (JAMAS!) and Nacional Records contributed their label (UNICO) to contribute to the movement. Now - with a heartfelt plea- we ask you to participate! For only $3.99 - you can jam, be inspired, debate, write, dance to an incredible compilation. We hope this compilation is fodder for discourse.
More information is below.
So far this has been an incredible year. Voto Latino's telenovela spoofs received over 183 million impressions. Our programs have touched over 55 million households, we've helped move the dial & break the myth that American Latinos are monolithic. Guess what America - we speak English ;) all while registering new voters online and through community partners.
Your support promises that we can grow into a stronger, long-lasting organization.
Maria Teresa of Voto Latino
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 15, 2008
North Hollywood, CA – Nacional Records is proud to announce the upcoming release of a star-studded Voto Latino benefit album on April 15th exclusively via iTunes. The track-listing features 15 songs for only $3.99 from an all-star lineup including Don Omar, Aterciopelados, Aventura, David Garza and Ozomatli. The album also includes a previously-unreleased track by Miami-based hip-hop hero Pitbull entitled "Across The Waters". The emotionally charged song documents the plight of Cuban immigrants and has been the subject of a National Public Radio segment. "To me it's great to have a record like 'Across the Waters' involved with Voto Latino/iTunes because it represents everything we stand for, which is the struggle for freedom and opportunity," says Pitbull.
"Music is the soundtrack to my life. The Voto Latino compilation is the soundtrack of a movement," says Voto Latino co-founder Rosario Dawson, who recently starred in a widely circulated telenovela parody PSA with Wilmer Valderrama. "It encapsulates everything about the Latino drive to the polls so blast it on your way to change."
Adds Valderrama: "Music has proven to be an influential platform for our generation. This is the time to use it."
"Voto Latino is thrilled about the generous contribution of iTunes Latino, Nacional Records and these participating artists," said Maria Teresa Petersen, Executive Director. "Having such talented individuals working across professions and sharing their expertise, be it musicians or behind the scenes executives is a testament that the power to enfranchise our community comes from within it."
Founded in 2004, Voto Latino is a non-partisan organization that works to promote an enfranchised America by leveraging celebrity voices, the latest technology and youth themselves to promote positive change and voter empowerment throughout the Latino community. With digital (Web 2.0 and user-generated) and traditional media campaigns, throughout the year, Voto Latino will target the 7 million American Latino voters aged 18-29, or 18% of the youth vote, leading up to the 2008 general elections
The album will be released one week prior to the highly-contested Pennsylvania primary election, considered to be a potential turning point in this competitive election season.
Nacional Records have waived their distribution fees for the benefit album. Apple is donating proceeds from the sale of the album to Voto Latino to benefit Voto Latino's voter registration, education and empowerment initiatives.
Voto Latino Benefit Album Track-listing found at www.iTunes.com:
- Notch – Aquí Me Quedo
- PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED: Pitbull & Kurse - Across The Waters
- Ozomatli - (Who Discovered) America?
- Don Omar - Angelito
- Los Amigos Invisibles - All Day Today
- Salvador Santana Band - My One True Love
- Ceu - Roda (Bombay Dub Orchestra's Grateful Dub Mix)
- Aterciopelados – Cancion Protesta
- Aventura - Mi Corazoncito
- Chingo Bling - They Can't Deport Us All
- Ceci Bastida - Empieza A Amanecer
- David Garza - There Go The Weirdos
- Volumen Cero - El Mar
- B-Side Players – Nuestras Demandas
- Hip Hop Hoodíos - Viva La Guantanamera
For more information about the Voto Latino Benefit Album, please contact Paul Dryden (paul.dryden@cookman.com) at Nacional Records – 818.763.1397
For more information about Voto Latino, the organization, please contact Jeannine Magno at Fox Greenberg Public Relations, 212.334.1212 / jeannine@foxgreenberg.com or visit www.votolatino.org