Publications
Partners
We are halfway through the year and we haven’t seen many full-blown albums released thus far. Fortunately, a few artists are keeping things moving with some fresh music videos. Phumlani S Langa checks out the latest.
Move for Me
Cassper Nyovest featuring Boskasie
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This fake patois song is set against a tropical background with Cass frolicking in a pool with the lovely Jessica Burciaga, his model buddy from the US.
High-angled shots of the two vibing on a raft in a small and clear lagoon are pretty fresh. In between they cut to Cass in a studio with a white background. He’s shirtless and showing off his new sweaty body since he stopped eating bread.
Honestly, I hate this. It’s like a cheap imitation of D’Angelo’s How Does It Feel. Brethren could get away with it in the 90s, grabbing fists full of air with an open shirt, but now you just look like a naked dude in a studio.
The video caused quite a buzz on social media, trending even before it was shot, thanks to Burciaga’s role in it.
The location is the true star of this video. Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga is the perfect setting for a love song like this.
This is by far Boskasie’s biggest song, but it would’ve been cool if Cass could’ve paid a visit to her soundscape instead of forcing this contrived Jamaican booty bounce thing that we have seen so much of lately.
At the end of the video, the camera zooms out and away from the shirtless Cassper to reveal that he is, in fact, naked… I don’t know why.
Whipped
Tellaman featuring Shekhinah and Nasty C
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Kyle White is one of the top directors in the country. This white boy does not play around and I’m sure his services cost a pretty penny, but man can this brother shoot and cut some visuals.
White draws on a 60s aesthetic with a story of young love playing out at an old-school diner-cum-milkshake shop.
The colours are bright but cleverly selected not to overpower the focal points. Every aspect of this video seems to have been carefully considered.
The set is flamboyant – a colourful cul-de-sac where Tellaman, looking sharp in some well-fitted clothing and his pink peroxide hair – steps up to a young woman whose affection he’s trying to win.
The clothes look like they are from the 60s era, but with a touch of new age street style.
Anywhere We Go
DJ Lag featuring Shekhinah
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This is probably the best song on this list, and you can believe me because deep House is not something I check for.
Adidas commissioned the video, and you can see the money put into its production.
The song is aimed at the running community of this global sporting and street wear brand.
I was pleased that DJ Lag was able to get this song out without it being leaked or allegedly stolen by a gqom duo.
Besides a few interesting shots of Shekhinah on an old-school black and white TV and Lag’s face superimposed on red sand, nothing much happens in this video.
But I like it that way – it allows the song to do most of the work and, from where I’m sitting, this is an anthem for the avenue.
