Calloway “I Want To Be Rich” Remix For 35th Anniversary

Thirty-five years ago, brothers Reggie and Vincent Calloway set a simple affirmation reflecting money-centric times to music, which became a Billboard No. 2 pop hit for their group Calloway. Thirty-five years later, the affirmation still rings true in our world and Calloway is back with a special anniversary remix of their vibrantly charming hit. To introduce the fun R&B/pop jam to an entirely new demographic, Calloway tapped GRAMMY nominated producer Darius “Phonix” Barnes (J. Cole, The Game, Trey Songz, Eminem, 50 Cent) to remix the single, which releases on Friday (December 6) on the Spiral Galaxy Entertainmentlabel. A new “I Wanna Be Rich” video will  premiere on December 23. 

On the surface, “I Wanna Be Rich” is about greed and material prosperity, but Calloway’s message in the lyrics convey a powerful desire for a prosperous life of “love, peace, and happiness.”  

“‘I Wanna Be Rich’ is an especially important song to us among the others in our catalogue. It communicates in the most primal way by saying what people want to say out loud, but often keep to themselves. So many of us are taught that money and riches are only available to others, or that money is somehow inherently evil. We turn that around and empower people with this song. More importantly, we equate richness with ‘love, peace, and happiness.’ Those are the real cornerstones of richness and wealth, which can lead to health. This song that started out as just playful fun turned into a movement and it gives the listener a chance to define their own idea of what it is to be rich,” said Reggie Calloway who wrote the song with Vincent Calloway and two members from their earlier group, Midnight Star, Melvin Gentry and Belinda Lipscomb.

In the decades since “I Wanna Be Rich” topped the charts, while the ethos of the rich mindset remains intact, much of the world has changed in terms of opportunities for minorities, according to Reggie Calloway. 

“We bring this song back to the forefront as its message has not changed. In fact, people are more ready for the song and its meaning than ever before. There are more minority billionaires than at any time. People now see if you believe, work hard, and reach high, you can achieve great things. And if used properly, things like money can help and inspire many more,” said Reggie Calloway who also serves as Director of Music Royalty Funding for Sound Royalties.

With the multi-platinum-selling Midnight Star, Reggie and Vincent Calloway were a part of creating iconic R&B, synth funk, and pop hits in the 1980s such as “No Parking on the Dance Floor,”  “Freak-a-zoid,” and “Operator.” Reggie Calloway also architected hits by Klymaxx (“Meeting in The Ladies Room”) and The Deele (“Body Talk”). The brothers went on to form Calloway and the hits continued to flow with “Sir Lancelot,” “You’re My Everything,” “All The Way,” and “Let’s Get Smooth.” Reggie Calloway received a GRAMMY nomination for Levert’sNo. 1 hit, “Casanova.” The Calloway brothers also crafted hits for Teddy Pendergrass (“Joy”), Gladys Knight (“Love Overboard”), and Natalie Cole (“Jump Start”).

Reintroducing Calloway into the marketplace with “I Wanna Be Rich” is part of setting up the release of new music from the group along with launching their Spiral Galaxy Entertainment label, which will sign, develop, and release projects from new artists. Next spring, Calloway will release their first new single in four years titled “6 Pack.” Like “I Wanna Be Rich,” “6 Pack” is a positive affirmation, this one about health and wellness. 

“Each year, as you make your New Year’s resolutions, you can have your own special song to get you ready to tackle anything. Thirty-five years ago, it was about pursuing a rich life with ‘I Wanna Be Rich.’ Now with ‘6 Pack,’ our message is that health IS wealth,” said Reggie Calloway whose vision for the Calloway brand relaunch is about creating a movement. 

Reggie and Vincent Calloway will bring the Calloway Experience to Vibrato Grill Jazz in Los Angeles on January 23 with a dynamic setlist culling music from their extensive catalogue of hits.

To preorder the 35^th anniversary remix of “I Wanna Be Rich,” click here https://ffm.to/y2gwm5j.