HipHopDX is proud to bring our readers a special live screening of Logic’s “1-800-273-8255” video and a post-airing Q&A from NeueHouse in Hollywood, California. Viewers can watch via Twitch or Facebook Live on Tuesday (August 29) at 7 p.m. PST. Actors Luis Guzman, Nolan Gould, Coy Stewart and Mickaëlle X. Bizet join director Andy Hines and producer Andrew Lerios in the Q&A session.
Logic’s single, which features Alessia Cara and Khalid, has brought a tremendous amount of awareness to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. On the day of the song’s release, the hotline received the second highest daily call volume in its history.
The music video has only helped to keep the suicide prevention anthem on people’s minds. Acclaimed actor Don Cheadle stars as the father of a young man struggling with his sexuality. The video has well over 16 million views as of August 29.
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“Since the song’s release, the lifeline website has gained an extra 100,000 visitors per month,” Shari Sinwelski, Associate Director of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, said during the Q&A. “And on Sunday, in the hours immediately following the VMA Awards, we saw a 50% increase in calling.”
While music videos occasionally feature well-known actors, Logic’s boasts quite a few. All of the cast members on the panel, including veteran character actor Luis Guzman, explained how the subject matter brought them to the project.
“There’s something going on in our society and, you know, people need to be loved,” Guzman said. “People need to be held, people need to be heard because there’s a lot of pain out there and it doesn’t have to be that way. And this project, this song, this mindset … we can save lives and give people alternatives to checking out.”
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Although everyone involved was ecstatic to see the video be such a success, it was far from expected. Director Andy Hines described how overwhelming the response has been and how rewarding it is to make an impact.
“It’s significantly more than I had anticipated,” Hines said of the video’s ability to increase awareness for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. “I sort of have an ongoing sentiment that if you can do something like this, that if you can reach even just a handful of people … Or people say if we help one person, we made a difference, and I certainly believe in that myself. But hearing the actual numbers, I personally hadn’t anticipated that kind of response. But at the same time, I knew Logic has a really incredible fan base and he has a wide audience. And I knew they’re very passionate about what he does. They share the same ideals I do with him of peace, love and positivity.
If you or someone you know is dealing with suicidal thoughts, contact the Lifeline via the aforementioned phone number or their website.
