Taboo and Daughter Jett Release “Stand Strong,” a Powerful Father-Daughter Anthem for Altadena Recovery
Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas has long used music as a vehicle for activism, but his newest release, “STAND STRONG,” is among his most personal projects to date. Released today on the one-year anniversary of the devastating Altadena–Pasadena fire, the song is a heartfelt collaboration between Taboo and his nine-year-old daughter,Jett Gomez. STAND STRONG was created to benefit recovery efforts in the community they call home.
The track, which also features uplifting vocals and lyrical contributions from songwriter and educator Angelica Nicole, is both a reflection on loss and a rallying cry for resilience.
“STAND STRONG” arrives alongside an emotionally charged music video co-created by Taboo and Jett, capturing the anxiety, frustration, grief, and determination felt by families rebuilding after the fire. The haunting images of Altadena–Pasadena in ruins, frozen in time from a year ago, stir emotions too deep to name.
Adding to the song’s emotional depth are voices from the community itself. Children from the neighborhood and the Mayfield Senior High School choir appear on both the track and in the video, reinforcing the project’s central message: that healing begins when a community comes together—especially around its youth.
Born From Uncertainty and Loss
“STAND STRONG” was inspired by a deeply vulnerable moment for Taboo and Jett. On January 7, 2025, the night of the fire, the Taboo and his family were staying in a temporary hotel, uncertain whether they would have a home to return to—or what had happened to their friends, classmates, and neighbors. Out of conversations that night the seed for the song was planted.
Jett took the lead on the lyrics and the visual storytelling, focusing on the emotions and worries shared by her school friends and peers in the neighborhood. Taboo, bringing an adult perspective, frames the song with broader questions of accountability and understanding, asking, “How did this happen, and who is responsible?”
Lines such as “so much history, now there’s misery, how the fires got started is a mystery” speak directly to the collective grief and frustration of residents. As the song unfolds, sorrow gives way to strength, culminating in a powerful refrain urging listeners to “stand strong through the ashes,” reminding them that “the heart is stronger than the flames.”
Music With a Mission
Portions of the funds raised will specifically benefit the Altadena Middle School girls’ softball team, replacing equipment and rebuilding fields and facilities lost in the fire. A former assistant coach in his sons’ community baseball league, Taboo understands firsthand how team sports provide kids with structure, joy, and emotional relief during times of stress.
A Live Moment of Healing
Taboo and Jett debuted “STAND STRONG” live tonight at “A Concert For Altadena” at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The event is part of a broader effort to keep attention on the community’s ongoing recovery and rebuilding needs, using music as a bridge between remembrance and hope.
Centering Youth, Inspiring Hope
“The stress, anxiety and disruption caused by fire losses are hard on adults, and even more difficult for kids to endure,” Taboo shared. “That’s why STAND STRONG is focused on youth, to help ease their trauma, concerns, and to work toward healing. Teaming up with Jett to bring hope and moments of joy to the Altadena-Pasadena community is the honor of a lifetime.”
With its blend of raw honesty, youthful perspective, and communal voices, “STAND STRONG” stands as more than a song—it is a testament to resilience, a call to action, and a reminder that even after unimaginable loss, community and compassion can help light the way forward.
“Dena Strong.”
