Hanson AIDS Relief Single Out Today

Hanson were recently praised by New York's Village Voice as "secretly the finest straight up rock band in America"...and don't be frontin' like you don't totally still sing "Mmm-Bop" in your head every once in a while. The boys are doing something noble here...check it out:


HANSON TO RELEASE INTERNET EXCLUSIVE TRACK
FOR WORLD AIDS DAY

All proceeds from track will go to HIV Research Unit in Soweto

November 28th, New York: HANSON announced today that they will be releasing a special internet exclusive track in recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1st. The song, "Great Divide", features a South African children's choir and was recorded on the group's recent trip to Africa. In July, Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson traveled to South Africa and Mozambique in an effort to learn more about the issue to see firsthand the devastation of AIDS on the continent and what can be done to join those already working to bring relief to the millions suffering from the disease. The band were accompanied by DocVia, a healthcare technology company based in the band's home town of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who produce mobile technology to connect remote patients with regional medical providers and who donated all of their technology to the Perinatal HIV Research Unit at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa.

"Our trip to Africa was a personal awakening," says Taylor Hanson. "Our experience there made clear that the fight against AIDS is an urgent cause that requires action whether you're in the ghetto's of Soweto or suburbs of America. That is the message we want to help deliver through whatever means we can amass and encourage others to do so as well."

The coming track "Great Divide" is a hopeful yet intense rock anthem that inspires a call to action. Explains Isaac Hanson, "Great Divide is about facing what seem to be insurmountable tasks, and the hunger we all have for a glimpse of hope. When you hear the voices of African kids, singing along to the words 'I find hope' in their native languages, it makes the message of the song that much more poignant and chilling."

The track will be released across the world on Tuesday, 28th November by iTunes in an exclusive arrangement and 100% of the revenues derived by the sale of the song will be donated to the Perinatal HIV Unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa. PHRU co-founder and pediatrician Dr Glenda Gray was excited to receive the news. "It's amazing to see musicians genuinely committed to understanding the challenges our patients face. Their talent and support are greatly appreciated and will go a long way in helping us prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in South Africa and around the world."

By supporting companies like DocVia and donating their music's proceeds to AIDS relief organizations, the band hopes to encourage other artists and companies to engage in a more active role in the fight against AIDS in Africa.

The band are completing a companion music video for the song that contains footage from their trip to Africa that will hopefully serve to increase awareness about the urgent need to confront this issue. Further information on the release of the video will be made available shortly.

Hanson were recently praised by New York's Village Voice as "secretly the finest straight up rock band in America" and their documentary film, Strong Enough To Break, was honored last week as an official selection at the Hollywood Film Festival.

Read the AOL Music News story here

To buy, preview and watch the video for "Great Divide" - click here.