The methodology has been around for a good minute. If it ain’t broke leave it be. We know that sometimes what we need comes in a bitter pill. To offset it, we break down the pill and mix it with something more favorable to the palate. At the very least, the dilution provides a minimal respite. Other times the mixture is so seamless we consume willingly. That formula can be applied to various equations and the results are the same. For music lovers, the zenith of disguising the truth we needed with saccharine-like harmonies and melodies came in 1971. The world had some very, very ugly challenges—racism, sexism, classism here in the states and a war abroad that wreaked havoc here as well. While addressing those subjects, the brother even found time to put us up on another grave situation. Remember these lyrics?

Where did all the blue skies go?

Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east

Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas

Fish full of mercury

Radiation underground and in the sky

Animals and birds who live nearby are dying

What about this overcrowded land?

How much more abuse from man can she stand?

The environment my dude? The song “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology)” from the “What’s Going On” LP revealed that brother Marvin Gaye was on a different time and space than his contemporaries.

A look at the just announced lineup for the 2018 Global Citizen Festival reveals that he planted those seeds in future generations as well. The seventh annual event returns to New York City’s Central Park Saturday, Sept. 29, with a crazy lineup headlined by The Weeknd and Janet Jackson. Supporting acts include Shawn Mendes, Cardi B and Janelle Monáe, with a special guest set provided by John Legend. Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness will return to host the event, with some co-hosting chores assigned to Cynthia Erivo, Danai Gurira, Forest Whitaker, La La Anthony and Naomi Campbell.

“It is invaluable to be in a position where I can use my voice to help the millions of people in need,” The Weeknd said. “I am honored to align myself with Global Citizen in the fight to end world poverty.”

John Legend added, “I’m proud to be supporting Global Citizen again to help focus people’s energy and attention on the issues that matter. I believe we need to look at human beings across the world as our brothers and sisters and do everything we can do to end extreme poverty to make life more livable. We are more powerful when we come together like this.”

Currently in its seventh year, the event has seen in excess of 60,000 fans gathered on Central Park’s Great Lawn. Those in attendance, however, paid not one penny for admittance. To see that, you must work your way in. Here’s how:

Register at glblctzn.me/nyc2018 or download the Global Citizen app.

Open the app on or after Aug. 7 and start taking actions to earn Festival Points.

These actions consist of sending tweets and emails or making phone calls to leaders, asking them to make commitments on our issues.

Please note, this year call actions must be made during business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., EDT. You’ll be able to choose which actions you take as long as you earn enough points. You’ll be told Aug. 7 how many points you need to enter for a ticket.

Once you have earned enough points by taking action, you’ll be eligible to enter a drawing for a free pair of tickets to the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park.

You’ll be notified by email letting you know if you’ve either won tickets or if you need to try again in the next action journey.

If you don’t win, don’t fret. There will be a total of four chances to win tickets throughout the campaign. Watch your inbox for details on when new action-taking opportunities are starting.

If you do win, congratulations! You can start planning who you’ll bring with you to Central Park. And if you like, you can keep acting and earn more tickets for more of your friends to come along.

The festival is part of Global Citizen’s Be the Generation campaign, a series of global events honoring the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela in his centenary year. In addition to the New York festival, the upcoming Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 Dec. 2 in Johannesburg, South Africa, will carry forward Nelson Mandela’s famous call for this generation to realize an end to extreme poverty. More on that lineup later. That joint might warrant a few passport stamps.

Over and out. Holla next week. Til then, enjoy the nightlife.