August 27, 2015
'Uptown Funk' Parody Promotes Safer Sex
This week AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world's largest HIV/AIDS organization serving over 460,000 patients annually across the globe, released its latest music video parody, "Downtown Funk," a high-energy, professionally-produced music video that promotes STD awareness and safer-sex inspired by "Uptown Funk," the internationally chart-topping song recorded by British producer Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars.
Filmed in Los Angeles and at multiple gay pride celebrations where AHF's customized "Check Your Wiener" bus rolled down parade routes, the video features lyrics and a vocal performance by Danny Fernandez -- star of AHF's hugely popular "(One Stop) Thrift Shop" music video parody of Macklemore's "Thrift Shop" video that logged 250K views -- and included cameos by Mr. and Mrs. Gay Ohio and drag performers Allusia Alusia, Misty Violet, and Cake Moss.
"We're constantly trying to find new, fun ways to raise awareness about safer-sex," said Associate Creative Director Stacy Fong. "The pride season was the perfect time to film this music video and celebrate diversity and sexual health in the LGBT community. The marriage equality win at the Supreme Court gave us even more reason to celebrate."