OK, OK, OK. Same deal as last time. We’re still catching up on the music video releases so we’re throwing a bunch together with a loose common denominator – this time everything is Rap/Hip-Hop. Now, I know this is still a wide genre so you can expect things to span the entire length of the spectrum. And in the interest of time, I’ve kept the mini reviews more micro with only a single like and dislike noted for each one.
Here they are, in no particular order.
DANakaDAN x Priska – “Stuntman”
+The dude has come a long way from afterschoolspecial, nearly everything was on point
-Minor but some of Priska’s closeups were way too whited out
Matt Brevner x Tom MacDonald – “Dark Side of the Moon”
+Fantastically produced visual
-I really don’t have anything negative to say… maybe throw in a Michael Bay explosion for fun?
D-Pryde – “Been At”
+Prizzy never fails to spit hard
-I miss his collabs with Rik Cordero
Joanlee – “Ricochet”
+This may be the strongest release by JL yet
-The lighting on the color sections is not as crisp as the B/W parts
Jason Chu – “No Angels”
+Simple but moving visual
-Perhaps a little too simple
Fung Bros – “Generation VLT”
+Amusing mix of humor and music
-Not sure it’s something I could bump on repeat, lacks replay-ability
Matt Brevner x Stevie Ross – “Pride”
+Other rappers clearly need to step their visual game up after Matt’s last two
-A NSFW label would have been nice
Jason Chu – “Oh Lord”
+I can appreciate how laser focused/topical Chu’s songs are
-Chu gets experimental with his flow and it’s a little hit or miss at times.
Derez – “Forever In Us”
+Promising concept to the video
-Could have used a little more emotional punch
Derez – “Archives”
+Derez put forward a decent track
-Video’s sepia color scheme is way overdone
AM Kidd – “Medicine”
+Diggin’ the song
-Can’t say I’m a fan of the psuedo 3D style of editing
AM Kidd – “Worth the Wait”
+Good vibe/strong song production
-I see what they were going for overall, but video could have used tighter direction
Gold Rush Kingz – “Knock Em Down” (ft Thurz)
+Song is a strong listen overall
-The retro vibe they are going for feels a little too much “Windows Movie Maker” and too little YO! MTV Raps
Jin – “Busta Rhymes”
+It’s cool to hear Jin get a little more aggressive with his flow again
– Rek did this style of video better. See “You Can’t Be Serious”, below.
Rekstizzy – “You Can’t Be Serious”
+I’m diggin Rek’s style more when it’s toned down like this
-Visuals are quirky but arguably a little too much so
J. Reyez x JimmyBoi x Thai – “Don’t Bother Me”
+I can nearly always appreciate collaborations
-Everything about this song/video has been done before way too many times
Gold Rush Kingz – “Whatever It Takes”
+Odd’s flow stole the show
-Oh yay. Another club/girls/alcohol rap video. These are soooo rare.
Lil Crazed – “Twerk”
+Video quality is commendable
-But the visual is unmemorable overall
Shogunna – “Cardiac Arrest”
+Well polished song/video
-Corny hook
Shogunna – “100 Bars”
+I’m always a fan when a rapper just wants to rap
-That iphone-esque stabilization effect is wildly irritating
Nump Trump – “Rollin A Wood” (ft Andre Greenback, Buck Bars, Jers Dilli, Ant Bankx, Russ Coson)
+I like the bassy, Bay area beat
-I Nump likes his weed but I’d love for him to rap about something else for once
Ant Trax x Vickz x Griz – “Starry Eyed”
+I liked the concept as a whole
-But was a little weirded out seeing kids act out some of the scenes
Jay Park – “Taekwondo”
+It’s cool to see Jay Park living it up BTS
-I still get the feeling Jay is trying too hard to be what he thinks a rapper should be
Dru B Shinin’ – “Take my Picture”
+I enjoyed the narrative of the video
-Although the entire production could use a tad more polish
