Will.i.am Teams Up With Spike Lee and Bill Clinton to do MASSIVEGOOD

By Simona Rabinovitch Posted Mar 3rd 2010 05:00PM

Will.i.am of Grammy-winning pop group Black Eyed Peas was in New York last night to launch a global health fundraising campaign aimed at travellers called MASSIVEGOOD.

"I think as humans, we're programmed to care," said the smiling, mellow musician during an impromptu elevator interview towards the end of the party, which took place in the Esquire apartment of the chic Soho Mews.

"But it can be so scattered in how to go about helping people that there's only a pour out in reacting to things, like an earthquake here, or a tsunami here, or a tornado here. You know, it's great to be reactive but being proactive is good too."

Here's the deal. Beginning March 4, every time you book a flight, hotel, rental car and other travel product through many online travel sites and agencies around the world, you'll be able to quickly and securely donate $2 to the cause. President Bill Clinton will make the very first "micro-contribution" tomorrow and further details can be found at the MASSIVEGOOD website.

The Millenium Foundation, who created the initiative as part of its commitment to help the United Nations achieve its health-related goals, aims to raise a billion bucks over the next four years. Funds will be distributed through UNITAID, going towards improving maternal health and fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in developing countries.

In the party apartment's onsite recording studio, will.i.am recorded a song in support of the initiative that will be released online to spread the word. Also involved is DJ/ producer David Guetta, who's worked with Madonna and Lady Gaga, and Spike Lee, who made a minute-long film called 'Masterpieces' that features Mary J. Blige and stars Samuel L. Jackson, Susan Sarandon, writer Paul Auster and physicist Brian Greene.

Sporting horn-rimmed glasses, will.i.am explained he was struck by how simple and effective helping can be. "In the time it takes you to book the flight and click, you can send two dollars to MassiveGood," said the pop star-slash-environmental advocate (Black Eyed Peas partnered with Green For All for their current stadium tour). "If a lot of people are doing that, that's, like, billions. It's awesome!"

Tags: Black Eyed Peas, David Guetta, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, Susan Sarandon, Will.i.am