The Coca-Cola Company and Atlantic Records have partnered together, assembling artists on the label from different genres (hip-hop, pop and rock) to record the single “Open Happiness,” as the accompanying song to the third installment in the Coca-Cola “Happiness Factory” series of commercials.   

A collection of top performers participated in the making of “Open Happiness,” including: Cee-Lo Green (Gnarls Barkley), Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy), Brendon Urie (Panic at the Disco), Travis McCoy (Gym Class Heroes), and Janelle Monae. Musically, the project was a collaborative effort between chart-topping producers Butch Walker (who co-wrote the song with Cee-Lo Green) and Polow Da Don, both men having produced for some of today’s most popular artists, such as Usher, Kelis, Pink, Fergie, Pussycat Dolls, Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry. 

Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes felt that union made sense commercially and artistically, saying, “I think Coke reaching out to up-and-coming and established artists is a really good move - everyone comes out a winner. We as artists get to collaborate with people we look up to and Coca-Cola gets a fresh new song that I think people are going to be really receptive to.” 

Adding his perspective about being asked to participate on the project by such an iconic brand, Gnarls Barkley frontman Cee-Lo Green said: “I guess what was interesting about the idea at first was Coca-Cola’s interest in me – that was appealing. Music’s marketplace can be very fickle and unforgiving and if you want longevity and you want legend, who better to ask advice from than Coca-Cola?”

“At Atlantic we strive to create career artists who make music with worldwide resonance. The pairing of the artists on this song with the Coke brand is a perfect match and we anticipate it being a huge global success,” stated Camille Hackney, SVP, Brand Partnership and Commercial Licensing, Atlantic Records. 

“Open Happiness” launched today (3-16-09) as part of Coca-Cola’s new global integrated marketing campaign, supported by a global push using popular promotional outlets such as Myspace, iTunes, and Facebook. In addition, a percentage of the sales will be donated to charitable causes through Coca-Cola’s ‘Live Positively’ platform.

 

 

The year is 2719 in the futuristic city of Metropolis, and “android No. 57821, other wise known as Cindy Mayweather,” is on the lam for falling in love with a human. Sci-fi is the theme behind Janelle Monae’s epic EP “Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition),” sounding as if it could be the score to a major Hollywood or Broadway blockbuster. 

The starlet whom Diddy said “is one of the most important signings of my career,” reached into her imagination to create a musically spellbinding odyssey complete with cyborgs, electro-daggers and other galactic references. “March of the Wolfmasters” sonically sets the tone for the mini-movie, bringing the characters to life and the audio-imagery into viewing mode. The rock-gospel production and power of Janelle Monae’s voice on “Violet Stars Happy Hunting!” is sure to ignite the inner funk in many earthlings. Lush with pounding drums, haunting organ notes, and ominous horns, the musicality of “Many Moons” and “Sincerely, Jane” hint at the Kansas native’s (how appropriate a hometown) performing arts and musical theatre background, as the latter song also reflects her socially conscious side. 

“Metropolis” isn’t the run-of-the-mill record you listen to—it’s the kind of record you experience. 

Label: Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy Records

Genre: R&B/Soul