Ciara Remixes Hit Song to Promote Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention

When Ciara says yes to remixing one of her biggest hits, you know the cause matters deeply.

The "Goodies" singer has partnered with Gilead to transform her chart-topper "1, 2, Step" into "1, 2, Prep" for a campaign promoting Yeztugo, a groundbreaking HIV prevention injectable. Unlike daily pills or monthly shots, this new option requires just two doctor visits per year.

"I've been very precious about that song, and I thought this was a brilliant idea to take it and use it in a way that could help save lives," Ciara told Women's Health. For an artist who rarely licenses her music, this marks a powerful exception.

The campaign comes at a critical time. Black women make up the majority of new HIV diagnoses among women in the U.S., despite being a smaller share of the population. Latino and LGBTQIA communities face similarly disproportionate rates.

"I didn't know that, to be honest, it was very eye-opening for me," Ciara said. "I don't think people really know, so being able to raise awareness and get this word out through music is really important."

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) significantly reduces your risk of acquiring HIV through sex or injection drug use. The twice-yearly option removes one of the biggest barriers to prevention: remembering to take daily medication or schedule frequent appointments.

Ciara took her advocacy beyond the studio, appearing on a panel at SXSW to discuss HIV prevention and stigma. She emphasized that making healthcare conversations accessible isn't just practical but necessary.

The Ripple Effect

When celebrities use their platforms to normalize health discussions, the impact reaches far beyond their immediate audience. Ciara's involvement helps remove stigma from HIV prevention, making it easier for people to ask questions and seek care.

Her message extends to her own wellness approach. "The confidence I feel being aware and being able to empower myself, educate myself about my healthcare, or my overall wellness is huge," she explained.

By pairing a beloved song with life-saving information, Ciara is meeting people where they already are: listening to music, scrolling social media, living their lives. The campaign makes HIV prevention feel less clinical and more like self-care.

"We have to make health conversations cool again because it's so important," Ciara said. With her voice and influence behind this message, taking care of your health just became a lot more accessible for millions of people who need it most.