Multi-platinum Grammy winning artists Maroon 5 and Rihanna have recorded a stunning new rendition of Maroon 5âs If I Never See Your Face Again.
The song, which impacts radio on May 13 and will be available domestically on iTunes first week of May, will also be added to re-issued versions of both Maroon 5âs platinum-plus-selling new album It Wonât Be Soon Before Long (JULY) and Rihannaâs Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded, (June 17th).
The two recently shot a rich, eye-popping video for the song in Los Angeles with director Anthony Mandler (Fergie, 50 Cent, Jay-Z).
"Rihanna is the real deal,' says Maroon 5 lead vocalist/guitarist Adam Levine. "'Umberella' made me excited about pop music again and we wanted to add that unique tone to the song. The minute she started singing in the studio I knew it was going to work. Her physical presence is undeniable and the concept of the video is amazing and unlike anything either of us have ever done."
'Iâve always been a fan of Maroon 5,' adds Rihanna. 'I love the energy of the song and the lyrics are badass, so I was psyched to do it.'
About the video shoot, she says, 'It was a fun, but it was difficult to get serious for the seductive scenes because Adam and I are friends. We would bust out laughing on every other shot that was the best part.'
In other news, A&M/Octone recording artists Maroon 5 are gearing up for a co-headlining summer tour with the Counting Crows set to launch July 25 at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, VA.
Breakout artist Sara Bareilles will perform on select dates and Augustana will perform on others. T Â
The highly anticipated road show will see the band playing the new single and recent Grammy-winning lead track Makes Me Wonder,along with a plethora of radio staples and fan favorites from It Wonât Be Soon Before Long and its blockbuster-selling predecessor, Songs About Jane. Maroon 5 will also be performing If I Never See Your Face Again on the May 7th airing of American Idol.
The bands will be working with Reverb, an environmental non-profit, to make the tour green and educate and engage fans to promote environmental sustainability.
The environmental efforts on the tour will include using biodiesel in all truck and buses, as well as neutralizing CO2 emissions from venue energy use, hotels, flights, touring vehicles, and fan travel.
In addition, backstage plastic, aluminum, paper and cardboard waste will be reduced and recycled. Theyâll also be using biodegradable and reusable catering products along with local and organic food.
A fan outreach Eco-Village will be set up at each show consisting of local environmental groups, green technologies, and a fan carbon offset program. Reverb will also be creating a dedicated Tour greening website including eco tips and a carpooling program.