Shot with RED cameras. Some cool scifi styling. Audio is too noisy though, to the point of ambience... http://videos.onsmash.com/v/3xuPyUxTwCQFtbbf
         

Director is Alan Ferguson.

Hmm -

Lengthy and non-sensical intro? Wacky character nick-names on the screen? Multiple versions of the performer? Swinging band on a shiny stage?

Do I like? Hey Ya!

www.youtube.com

         

great styling

         

very ambitious, cool...

         

she's even dancing like andre 3000

         

THX 1138 meets Hey Ya. Ambitious. I like it. I hate the black hipster sub genre, but that has nothing to do with the video.

         

Pretty cool vid. Styling is definitely on point.

To Alanedit: What is your deal with "black hipsters"? Judging from the references you point out you are way out of your lane. For a quick education lesson try this:

and this:

         

I'm suprised Diddy threw that much money on a video for a new artist, and his face is nowhere to be seen. Good video.

p.s. Black Mags is amazing

         

what was the budget on this...?

         

$750K.

         

I don't get it anymore. Briefs for "big name priority acts!!!!" from major labels have been rolling across my desk all month for budgets of 40k and less. How does this chick pull 750k when the labels are constantly complaining about their empty wallets?

         

senility are you sure? that sounds a little absurd. I've heard ferguson's videos have roughly been in between the 150-250 range.

         

Lazlo: Seen all the videos you posted, but thanks anyways. I'm just not into the sub genre and think it's ridiculous as a whole.

I was alive in 1988 and summer of 89, Hip Hop's golden age. Fond memories of that. It's 2008 and don't crave for more of the same. I would rather listen to what came out back then, which was great. I also think that a younger generation apes the past and makes it's own hybrid, yet rarely nothing new comes out of it. This is the case of this sub genre stereotypically known as "Hipster Rap", which is a throwback to the past. The music has artistically collapsed to such a degree that throwback sounds and retro clothes represent what's new? from an artistic angle I think it sucks.

Kanye pulled it off, Cool Kids are ok though.

         

@Alanedit

I'm with you on being fond of the original golden age but did you ever think that maybe these new jacks are just paying homage and actually really love that same music too? The same way the White Stripes jacked garage rock sounds or Kings of Leon copped Zeppelin . Old school hip hop is the new classic rock. Just like any wave of music the artistic talents of the each group is gonna vary but most of the time I would rather listen to this stuff than the new Lil Wayne autotune track that's on the radio.

Just to bring the post back around to music videos. If you were a young director would it make more sense to work with these "hipster rappers" who are probably willing to try an outside the box idea but have no budget as opposed to trying to grind your way up in the mainstream commercial hip hop biz so one day you could get $750K Janelle Monae Money?

P.S. - About the retro clothes thing. Who cares about what kind of clothes musicians wear? Do you remember what grandmaster flash used to dress like?

         

Lazlo, good topic of discussion. Thanks for chippin in your two cents. I agree about the new jacks love for the same music, and homage is all good, but don't you also think of the music as mere kitch? I guess it's all a matter of taste. It's like a karaoke halloween version of old school culture to me. Enjoyable but not taken seriously. You raise a good point in saying hip hop is the new classic rock, for the wave of old school revisionism can attest to that.

What I do stand behind is the idea of musical progression. We're on the 21st century not a lot of music sounds new. Retro sucks. What's going on with that?

Bring it back to music videos, it depends on an individual's goals. Sure it'll make sense to start off with "hipster rappers" and build from the ground up. But it also means the same restrictions of retro and kitch could play a significant role in visually presenting them. Toss in sega genesis and the deal is done. Sorry but the whole american apparel culture sucks to me, I'm 30 years old.

Not all is bleak, however. I think retro is a sincere form of expression for these rappers. I question the artistic value of the music, but it's better than the crap that plays on the radio.

If you get a chance check out Tricky's new video. It's proof the culture can be represented sans nostalgia and retro wave. Then again I'm bias because I'm more into Tricky's sorta thing.

Good jab on the clothes, man. Curiosity, find it interesting that baggy pants represent mainstream rap while tight pants represent indie rap. Just a thought. Thanks again for reply.

         

My personal opinion is that 750k is waaaay too high a budget estimate. Maybe senility has inside information, I could be wrong.

I saw this job making the rounds months ago - complete with a crazy long idea from the artist with all kinds of sci-fi back-story and character breakdowns. At the time they were talking 200-250, as I recall. Maybe Diddy paid up more than that starting number, but 750 sure seems like a reach.

         

Behind the scenes featurette

link.brightcove.com

         

Just saw the featurette. So everyone's obsessed with the budget. How about the video? 750,000 seems right based on the production values, the styling, ect. Factor in a one or two day shoot. Diddy threw the pocketbook at it, it's nice to see a video that doesn't pander to the beaten path, only people here will think of the similarities to the Outkast video, the rest couldn't care less.

Again...that singer just...Grace Jones?

         

yeah but keep in mind with AF shoots the production company throws in its fee and editorial and fx usually ends up being free. killa!

         

NINJASONIK's the shit, i found 3 tracks on their website, where can i find the rest if any

         

@matei: Ninjasonic - look for the Tight Pants EP, which is 4 songs (of which 3 you probably already have). I think that's all they've done.

         

ninjasonik spins alot in brooklyn/manhattan. look for him at happy ending or savales

         

Be on the lookout for a new Ninjasonik vid droppin later this month.

         

Oh not another another, handbra still!

         

DoP Christopher Probst, mp4