Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 21 compilation albums, related television programs, and media events to raise donations totaling more than 10 million dollars for HIV / AIDS relief and awareness around the world.
First founded as King Cole, Inc. by Leigh Blake and John Carlin, Red Hot was established in 1989 in response to the AIDS epidemic and its impact on artists and creators within New York City. Carlin, who previously pursued a career as an entertainment lawyer, expressed the wish to create an "AIDS charity album" to pay tribute to American singer/songwriter Cole Porter.[2]
In 1990, the project was released, entitled Red Hot + Blue, featuring various artists.[3]
Red Hot + Rio 2, produced by Béco Dranoff, John Carlin, and Paul Heck; with supervising musical producers Andres Levin, Mario Caldato Jr., and Kamal Kassin; in collaboration with U.S. label E1 Entertainment, was Red Hot Organization's 15th entry into its series of tribute albums.[citation needed]
Rio 2 was reviewed by critics to high acclaim. The Wall Street Journal noted that the album possessed "unusual collaboration and combinations" that would solidify Red Hot's place "in the musical landscape."[6]
The Denver Post stated that the album was full of "summery, breezy songs" that alternately "surprises and triumphs" and ultimately deemed it "one of the most listenable records to come across our desk in months."[7]
A review of a 1994 Red Hot Organization one-hour music video collection noted that the affected persons depicted in the video were either gay males, injection drug users, or African. Some researchers argued that depictions such as this focus the majority viewers' attention specifically on these groups and assume that HIV is a problem for minorities, and not for the general public.[11]
