"Hey you got a hit on your hands! Best way to get it out...make a video!" Videos used to be like watching a mini-movie premiere with a dope soundtrack. Almost like watching a live concert on your tv screen, the video has been an art form that music artists have taken full advantage of since the days of MTV. At times the video is just as creatively important as the song. Now with media becoming even easier to see on the everyday *cough* youtube/vevo*cough*, videos are even more accessible and a necessity for some artist's "hits" to find success when sales or critic reviews are not the most favorable; Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Jeezy, etc. So I dedicate this post to the newly dropped videos from some of your favorite artists that you have yet to see or may already love.
"Climax" Usher
What do you do when you are stuck in a situation that you just don't want to leave? What if you're in a doomed relationship that you know is too intense but too involved to walk away? Well with Usher's fast climbing single "Climax", he tries to visually give the solution to a lover's dilemma. Dont let the title and smooth falsetto of the R&B singer fool you, this video is not what you'd expect it to be. After carefully listening to the lyrics, the video seems to make a lot more sense. Placing Usher in the role of the "other man" in a damaging relationship, he shows us the multiple outcomes that could take place when you refuse to walk away from something that is not meant to be while awkwardly dancing and giving interesting hand gestures that would make Drake proud.
"Kiss My lips" Dev ft Fabolous
More literal and in your face than a highly promoted product in videos, Dev finally drops a visual for "Kiss My Lips" ft Fabolous. Although the song is catchy and Fab comes correct, the Highcollection creation video fails to be creatively close to the literal message in the song. The make-up and girls look good and Fab borrows some tips from Chris Brown's stylist, but other than that there really isnt much else to talk about. A little low budget and too obvious of a video to be considered to help the song reach heavy radio and club rotation, I was kind of disappointed. I would have liked to see maybe some type of story or at least something else than just lips with different make-up and lights in the background.
"It All Belongs to Me" Monica and Brandy
With the release of their highly awaited and hyped re-united duet, Brandy and Monica drop the visual for the Rico Love produced track "It All Belongs to Me". Although not as catchy or holding the same magic as "The Boy is Mine", the two R&B sirens look damn good (Monica>Brandy...still) but the video is a little boring. Refraining from comparing it to the "Boy is Mine" video, the video is very basic. Both girls are taking back their high priced gifts and possessions (shocker) while showing off their beauty that makes people realize why they say "black dont crack". I feel as though the director even knew the video was on the zzz side, so their is a little action at the end but you still have to make it through the whole video to see it. What would have made this video a little bit better is, although a little corny, but a Mekhi Phifer cameo as well or at least have the two women kicking out the same dude after they both discover he was playing them both. However it is what it is, so hope the song continues to climb the charts.
"Leave You Alone" Young Jeezy ft Ne-Yo
In this edition of sensitive thugs, Jeezy pairs up with Ne-yo to drop a visual for his radio aimed hit "Leave You Alone". The 7 min. video is somewhat similar to a new age west side story/Romeo&Juliet featuring a little action to keep the street credibility up for Jeezy. Even though the video is not visually amazing or that creative, it still stays true to the song and is entertaining. It's not something that I would say is the best video of all time, but is different and new for Jeezy. I see this song being a sleeper summer hit but I dont know if it's going to reach number on the charts...
"Do Ya Thing" Gorillaz ft Andre 3000
Although just a promotional song for Converse, Andre kills this track and the video just adds to the hilarious yet randomness that is the cartoon band Gorillaz. The video is portraying another day after of partying for the British band and has some help from Andre in a black mask appearing out of nowhere here and there. You may not be able to hear the song to well, so just watch the crazy good that is the Gorillaz and their band mates lifestyle. I would hate to live in that house but I would love to party with them.
"You Used to Hold Me" Calvin Harris
Released in 2011, I know that this video is not new but it is new to me. I came across it while wasting time web surfing the other day and found that Calvin Harris' last album had some hits on it. Although he is known in the UK, most in the US may have only heard about him from his feature on Rihanna's "We Found Love". In terms of creativity, this video is pretty basic but it does have one element that has been missing in videos lately; beautiful women in little clothes doing synchronized dancing. Yes, I know i'm immature but I like what I like and hopefully you will too...
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