Time for a bit of house music on my blog today, although the only reason is because I struggled to find a music video for any songs that were released this week. It seems this is the only one I could find, and it's pretty unimaginative. Watch a guy with painted eyelids dance away to this house song titled "Closer To You" by WHOISJODY.
WHOISJODY, real name Jody Koenders, has been known by various different names in the past including Jody Meyer and Jody San. He is from the Netherlands and has released various different songs, but he has described this project as Super House. This song has already been released on Beatport and will follow onto iTunes in 2017. I can't deny that the song is full of beats that I'd love to rave to. A perfect tune for the clubs.
The music video is a performance visual of a guy dancing. That is basically it. There's nothing else to it.
It's not engaging whatsoever, although it is kind of shocking when he removes his sunglasses. You have to give yourself some time to adjust to the weirdness of it all and to understand what is happening.
There is a guy who is dancing with his eyes closed. Only, painted on his eyelids are eyes. It reminds me of a scene out of Tom & Jerry, where they don't want to be seen to be asleep.
At the end, he opens his eyes and confuses us even more. I don't understand what is going on. Yet, I can't deny how catchy this song is.
It's Thursday Revisit time, and I thought I had cocked it all up. I went through every artist I have reviewed this week, and none of them had released anything more than five years ago, apart from Inna, but I've reviewed all of hers; until I realised Gucci Mane was a featured artist on Rae Sremmurd's track "Black Beatles"; and so, I had to do one of Gucci Mane's old songs. Since this is the one that has charted on the UK chart, why not? Gucci Mane teams up with Usher who is hosting a party, but the rapper isn't up to it after parting ways with his girl. Watch some jealousy sparks in this "Spotlight" music video.
Gucci Mane, real name Radric Davis, has been going for years, but it isn't until he teamed up with Rae Sremmurd for track "Black Beatles" that he gained global chart success; even if the song is only known as the Mannequin Challenge song. He has previously charted a number of times, in his early career in the US; however, this is the only song that charted in the UK by him. The reason it charted may have something to do with Usher. He is the featured artist on this track, real name Usher Raymond IV. If you don't know who he is, he has been killing it for years. Global success all over; hence why this track charted in the UK because he was at the height of his fame then, and still is. This song was written by Radric Davis, Usher Raymond, and Jamal Jones.
Directed by Benny Boom, the music video also has cameos from Nicki Minaj (before she became famous), and Eddie Murphy's daughter: Bria Murphy.
The opening creates a narrative which sets up the performance piece, ending full circle. We watch as Usher urges Gucci Mane to come to his party, but the rapper isn't feeling up to partying as he is upset. We learn that he and his girlfriend has split up.
Usher wins him over, naturally. This is where the performance piece kicks in, and we see Usher doing his thing. Gucci Mane and Usher are a great duo, one we wish will happen again. They have a close energy, that has a lot of pumped up vibes.
We see some old dance moves, that is better left off in the 00's; although, I guess dabbing has been adapted from one certain move clearly shown in this music video.
Nicki Minaj can clearly be seen talking to Gucci Mane, which flits a whole lot of jealous looks from Bria Murphy, who we later work out is Gucci Mane's girlfriend, that he had just split up with. The ending sees him rushing out to her and they make it up.
Overall, the music video has a brilliant narrative and an energetic performance. What more can we ask for? It's relatable, interesting and story-focused. It works well but doesn't really grip the audience all that much. It's great to watch, and totally gets kudos for not putting a bunch of provocative girls in the performance piece. Nice one!
One of my top favourites from this year. It still shocks me to this day that it didn't get nearer to the top! I don't really know what happened during Eurovision 2015, but it wasn't as good as the previous years, and yet there were definitely some treasures that we still haven't got over; this is one of them. Aminata represented Latvia and scored 186, placing them sixth. This should've done much better. Aminata gets soaking wet during her performance and narrative music video for "Love Injected", sexily involved with her love interest, who also gets fired up.
Aminata, full name Aminata Savadogo, was definitely one of my favourites from this year, her unique vocals will make her an international star, if she continues to stay focused and fights to become a global singer. She previously entered Dziesma 2014, the Latvian national selection for Eurovision 2014; unfortunately, she came fifth with "I Can Breathe". It clearly wasn't meant to be, especially when she went on to win Supernova 2015 and became Latvian's representative to Eurovision 2015. Then in 2016 she wrote Justs' winning entry "Heartbeat", where he came eighth in Eurovision 2016. Now, she's competing in Golos (the Russian version of The Voice), where she's a part of, fellow Eurovision 2015 contestant, Polina Gagarina's team. This song was written by Aminata Savadogo and Kaspars Ansons.
Directed by Andžejs Gavrišs, the music video is gripping from start to finish. Aminata controls the viewers attention all the way through. She has so much potential that, in this video alone, she proves her star quality.
The performance side of this music video is completely powerful. Wow! She can easily grip an audience in a second. With her beautiful vocals and her stunning looks, Aminata is definitely someone who will go far.
The narrative part sees Aminata and a very sexy love interest, who is played by actor Martiņš Kapzems, completely soak themselves with the contents of a fuel can. We can presume they plan to burn themselves alive by pouring fuel all over them in a gorgeously sultry way.
Martiņš Kapzems can be seen lighting a match, which he brings to a cigarette, before they both free fall over the edge. The cigarette has previously been dropped after some erotic smoke scenes, lighting the floor.
However, they aren't committing suicide, they are honing a power. Martiņš Kapzems is pretty much similar to The Human Torch from the Fantastic Four, being able to control fire now that he has fuel all over him. Can he become any more hot? In more than one sense of that word.
Much like the song, this music video is strong and sexy. It's hot all over, and is so captivating that I can't stop watching it. The song is one that is worthy of being a winning song, and yet totally under performed. Aminata is going to be a big star, no doubt; I literally can't wait for what the future will bring for her.
If there's one newcomer to the table who has hit it off well globally, it's DNCE! They unleashed internationally with the globally successful song "Cake By The Ocean" which was followed up with the equally addictive "Toothbrush", yet this is the one song that launched their album, that said album is one of the best albums I have heard all year. DNCE get completely sexy in a strip-like type of a music video for "Body Moves", but what do we really expect?
DNCE are a four-piece band consisting of Joe Jonas, Cole Whittle, JinJoo Lee, and Jack Lawless. They kept this project a secret until they were ready to launch their debut single, and it definitely worked out well for them; especially with Joe Jonas being such a well-known figure in the music industry. The group recently released a self-titled debut album which is for sure one of the best albums I have listened to in a while, don't forget to check out my review for Outlet Magazine. This song hasn't done as well as their previous singles and isn't quite the chart success it clearly deserves to be, what with the extremely catchy hook. The song was written by Joe Jonas, Rami Yacoub, Albin Nedler, and Kristoffer Fogelmark.
The video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis, a name we keep on having to type out since she has certainly made herself known amongst the music video industry.
It's extremely sexy, with a main performance piece where DNCE are looking so hot. Full of energetic vibes, DNCE definitely know how to perform.
There are quite a few people reacting badly to this music video due to the provocative sexual theme, however just look at the lyrics and you'll realise that it is completely relatable to the song.
Joe Jonas is seen kissing model and actress Charlotte McKinney in the music video. All four band members have their own love interests, keeping it equal, regardless of the extra airtime that Joe Jonas gets since he is the frontman and lead vocalist.
Overall, it's a sexy relatable music video with a brilliantly underrated catchy song that we constantly have stuck in our heads.
Taking a look at the UK Top 10 reveals this song as the only one with a music video that I haven't reviewed. Clean Bandit is still at the top with "Rockabye" that features Sean Paul & Anne-Marie; they are totally fending off this climber, which has become an overnight sensation all thanks to the Mannequin Challenge, where this song is usually used as the backing track. Rae Sremmurd collaborates with Gucci Mane in this pure performance music video with literal lyric visualisations throughout.
Rae Sremmurd is an American duo consisting of Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi. They have really done a number with this song, with thanks to the Mannequin Challenge, this song has skyrocketed up the charts around the world, probably thanks to people attempting the Mannequin Challenge, no doubt. They have previously released a number of singles and two albums, all of which haven't impacted the charts as much as this song alone has. They have been more of a hit in the US over the past couple of years, but with international fame, the question on everyone's minds is if they can follow through with another hit. Featured on this track is Gucci Mane, real name Radric Davis; he is a massive US rapper, who has released a number of albums, EPs, and singles. He has worked with some of the biggest stars, and had quite a few hits back in 2009. Once again, this is possibly his biggest hit to date too. This song was written by Khalif Brown, Aaquil Brown, Radric Davis, and Michael Williams. The latter produced the song and is better known as Mike Will Made It.
Directed by Motion Family, this music video is a collection of videos that have been combined to create this intricate music video.
It is mainly a performance-based music video with Rae Sremmurd mainly seen performing in various places and stages. They clearly have a lot of energy, enough that it can be felt by all the viewers. Gucci Mane also performs in this music video, giving just as much energy and totally performing well. If anything, these guys will be amazing live.
There are some great lyric visualisations throughout, especially the smoking. It's so intoxicating that it really makes us think we're there and someone is blowing smoke into our faces. Clearly Rae Sremmurd's parties are welcome to many different people, much like the song suggests.
There is no sign of a Mannequin Challenge anywhere in this music video, which totally makes us question why this song is chosen for the said challenge. Regardless, the music video is relatable and hazy in it's own right. It's very basic, with not enough going on.
