Music Video Rotation #1

Not in a particular order. Just Veejaying on this medium.

For this 1st edition, I put together a catalog of 10 music videos that were premiered to the world within the last 12 months, plus a throwback wildcard. Each description I write below is a personal reaction - whether analytical, interpretive, or imaginative - through the artist’s written word, visual cues, or a combination of both.

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I. Foggieraw - “Stay Awhile” (feat. Ari Lennox)

These two are similar to coffee and cream, where both can choose to be either concoction depending on the day, but neither will fail to provide the sugar. Their chemistry on screen is impeccably cute and light-hearted. Us listeners, would love an EP at this point. It’s me. I’m listeners. This is the type of video that deserves a time slot on Vh1 Soul.

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II. Infinity Song - “Slow Burn”

You nervously decide to pull an all-nighter cramming your brain with sporadic vocabulary, mathematics, and historical references, but after draining all your strenuous effort to adequately memorize for the time being, you are still utterly unprepared for your final tomorrow, which is mandatory to pass in order to advance to graduate school. But after taking this difficult test and undoubtedly struggling and eventually coming to a realization that you guessed on every single multiple choice question, just as much as you guessed on your next steps to your career path, you are the last to finish. You turn in your test sheet to your professor without looking at him in the eye. He never had faith in you anyway. You exit the classroom immediately knowing you flunked this semester. But at least you tried this time. The cold wind slaps your face. You forgot your good-luck scarf to cover you up.

This is what this song felt like.

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III. Chance The Rapper x DJ Premier - “Together”

Looks like bro is coming home. The streetlights on 79th came on. The fried catfish and spaghetti is still hot. Reminded me of my cousin Paul’s summertime BBQs in which he used to host at his house on the West Side. Me, Bryce, Christian, Gabi, and Kay Kay, running around the backyard, playing tag, and hiding behind the Spades table. Mom and Auntie Gina over by the street jumping double dutch. God rest Cousin Paul’s soul. Miss going over there.

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IV. Saba x No ID - “head.rap” (feat. Madison McFerrin, Ogi & Jordan Ward)

Once again, Saba is proving that he “be to rap like key be to lock.” Or locs, in this case. He composes his lyrical cadence and double meanings so effortlessly. This is a beautiful record and a visual representation alluding to loving your hair, and committing yourself to your truth, with the hair personifying dedication, discipline, and tenderness. The melodic harmonies each performer provided, along with the warm joy we see from each artist and their kinfolk, complimented by the cool background colors and intentional lighting, all provided a healthy essence as much as coconut oil and rosewater supports my 4C. I admired the midwestern unity between Saba (Chicago), Jordan Ward (St. Louis), and Ogi (Born right outside Chicago, raised in Madison, WI, returned to Illinois and graduated from Northwestern University) as well.

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V. The Marías - “Lejos De Ti”

Your companion’s love used to keep you warm like Billie Holiday’s 1937 timeless track. But now, they are no longer here. So missing them could feel like struggling to sleep in the middle of the night with no blankets on your bed, alone in an empty house, outside of the twin cities of Minnesota, at the top of January. Your heart could result to frozen temperatures by collateral damage.

This is some brave work to get up and get out in the middle of these harsh conditions - naked - placing your health at risk, for the purpose of capturing these striking illustrations. Couldn’t be me. I was questioning if she lost a bet or something.

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*Wildcard*

The Conscious Daughters - “Somethin’ to Ride To (Fonky Expedition)” [1993]

These sisters slid on this joint so smoothly as they cruised through the Town on their way to Lake Merritt. The Oakland ambiance is essentially tribal. Digital Underground’s Money-B makes a cameo appearance vibing with the crowd. Bump this through your speakers at the next sideshow. Rest in Peace, Special One.

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VI. Beabadoobee - “Take A Bite”

You are trapped inside this unsafe vortex of the Bermuda Triangle, caught up in this confused cycle of ecstasy swallowed up by discombobulated passion, and rose-colored agony. The transitional imagery from day to night, from a reserved quiet street quickly switching to a boulevard of destruction, could possibly symbolize a honeymoon phase turned sour to rotten, to sweet again to sour again and so on, relating to a romantic partner, a friend, an activity, or a specific phase of yourself, or the feeling itself, or a combination of everything. Or this could also suggest that you try to convince yourself that you are fine and dandy but only you certainly know within your cerebral alertness, that you may be experiencing a spiritual cataclysm. But your body language remains nonchalant and careless rather than care-free. Strolling through the cool breeze or the hot madness. What does it really matter?

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VII. Tems - “Love Me JeJe”

THIS is a flawless example of paying homage to a hometown classic. Fire appearance by Seyi Sodimu. A blazing suggestion of passing the torch to the next generation.

I admired the use of red in this video as well. Tems’s red dress as she sits comfortably outside enjoying the city’s air, to another scene where she is leaning and singing on a red wall in what appears to be a living room, where a lively family gathering is taking place, and finally, a collection of red plastic cups which she and her friends gladly carry as they dance the night away. While red oftentimes convey rage, danger, and chaos, the color can also symbolize passion and love. Here, Tems, her cinematographer, set designers, colorists, and the rest of her community involved with this illustrious montage, enhance this red with safety and softness.

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VIII. Elmiene - “Someday”

My heart won’t beat unless the world ends.

Jesus. Where did the day go? The thought of loss can hold weight to your body and skull like a piano dropped on your head. But lying awake feels more painful.

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IX. Laufey - “From The Start”

This Bossa Nova-infused track is absolutely refreshing. And she further plays this test of this particular era with a nice splash of grain. The correlation of each intricately designed space intentionally matches her outfit in such a playful - yet - delicate fashion. The red vintage telephone in the blue room added a pleasant touch to the tone Laufey and her team were aiming for.

This feels like you received a love letter from a secret admirer right under your nose. Or maybe you are the secret admirer, who may have used your favorite pen to write a letter dedicated to your crush, but you were too scared to reveal your love to them. You bury your strong desires under the rug out of respect for your friend’s romantic relationship while protecting this platonic friendship you two cherish. You keep your secrets stuffed into your ribcage. As time moves on, your freshly white pages of notes remain concealed until the time is right. But the time is never right. You think about tearing it up every once in a while, but your hands won’t let you do it. These private confessions in which you grasp so dearly, gradually age to shriveled up yellow-stained sheets. But your ink remains black, bold, and clear. It’s never too late until it’s too late.

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X. Chenayder x MAVI - “Colors”

An ode to synesthasia. I enjoyed the metaphoric practice of mixing the use of colors with actions, scenarios and auras. This is the first time I’ve listened to a record where color theory is approached and poetically executed (visually and sonically) since Mick Jenkins’s “ROY G. BIV,” which is another great song.

What’s your favorite color, and why do you think it’s your favorite?

Has this hue always been your preference since you were a child, or do your options fluctuate in a similar fashion to your moods?

If you had to choose a color to match how you are feeling at this current moment, what color would that be?

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