She is back on top form, Rita Ora's "Your Song" is so good. It didn't impact the UK chart immediately, but soon made a steady climb; however, it's currently stalled at number seven and isn't able to beat its peak. It looks like it will decline in the next few weeks, but being inside the top ten is still a good peak position. Currently, Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee is at number one with "Despacito" which features Justin Bieber, hence why I'm reviewing this song today. Watch Rita Ora walk backwards through her day as she thinks about the kiss goodbye she gave to this guy, whilst everyone else's day go forwards in this music video for "Your Song".
Rita Ora recently got away from her record label through a settlement and she is now gearing up to release her second studio album which this, we presume, is her lead single. She has hit it big in the UK and the US, and even judged and coached on rival TV shows The X Factor and The Voice UK. We've been waiting patiently for new music and when we finally got it, it gradually grew on us all. "Your Song" has done all right globally, charting high in many countries, although it does deserve better placings. It was written by Ed Sheeran and Steve Mac.
Directed by Michael Haussman, the music video shows Rita Ora thinking of the goodbye kiss she gave to a guy last night; whilst everyone else's day goes forwards, her day goes backwards, back to the place and the time she kissed that guy goodbye.
The first time I saw this, I thought Rita Ora looked like Khloe Kardashian; she still does in this video, it's because of the way her hair has been styled and because of her makeup, which is on-point throughout. The opening scene sees her in a meeting in an office building, where she's the only woman.
We watch various scenes which see Rita Ora going backwards, which includes driving a car in reverse too - which looks completely awesome. It all leads back to the goodbye kiss - it is adorable.
Overall, it's a great music video and in-depth, yet not something we expected when we first heard this song. It's intricate and interesting, I like how some of the scenes are clearly in rewind as she is actually going forwards, but then there are also times when it's clear she's actually walking backwards. It's quite confusing. This is becoming more and more common with music videos at the moment, and will no doubt become a phase.
Let's be honest, since we're all caught up with RuPaul's Drag Race, we all have withdrawal symptoms, enough where we end up just playing music videos that he stars in. This is what happened to me today and I stumbled across this Oz video by Todrick Hall, and it is EPIC! I'm not going to lie, I strayed away from Todrick Hall music videos before RuPaul's Drag Race because I didn't think it was my thing - I couldn't have been more wrong. Watch this Oz inspired music video that shows Dorothy, The Tinman, The Scarecrow, and The Lion, as Todrick Hall and RuPaul perform their collaborative song "Low".
Todrick Hall made his name known on the ninth series of American Idol, where he got as far as the top 16 before being eliminated alongside four other contestants. He later found success on YouTube where he gained a lot of fans. It wasn't long until he guest-judged on RuPaul's Drag Race, where he later became a regular judge. It's clear that Todrick Hall and RuPaul get along brilliantly and there's bound to be more collaborations as this is pure gold. RuPaul, full name RuPaul Charles, is one of the biggest drag queens in the world, and first launched his music career with "Supermodel (You Better Work)" which had international success upon its release in the early 90's; now, thanks to Drag Race, he's really come into his own. This song is part of his most recent album titled "Straight Outta Oz" which collaboratively is a full musical - with this video being just a segment of the whole story - taking inspiration from the Wizard of Oz, as well as his rise to fame in Los Angeles (also known as Oz).
This music video was directed by Todrick Hall and Moorhead&Benson. As I previously stated, this entire clip is from the musical which forms the complete album. This also stars Brittanie Brant as Dorothy, Chester Lockhart as The Scarecrow, Jamie Bennett as The Tinman, and Jojo Guadagno as The Lion.
The narrative itself is very short. It practically introduces the characters to us - which is very much needed since they are quite different to that of who we remember from the original Wizard of Oz. This introduction relates to the song's lyrics so well and works perfectly regardless of how short it is.
The biggest scene in this is the performance piece where we see Todrick Hall and RuPaul perform together. RuPaul isn't in drag whereas Todrick Hall is. The former's biggest scene is where he's in a carriage being pulled by men; let's be honest, we all see RuPaul this way on Drag Race - he's a force to be reckoned with, so watch out!
As for Todrick Hall, he's both the good witch and the bad witch, both Glinda and Elphaba. Clearly reinterpreting this iconic film into there only being one witch; one woman who battles with her inner demons and is just as normal as we all are. We all have the ability to be evil just like we have the ability to be totally good. In stories, people tend to pick a side, but in a normal world we're both, and it's our choices are what makes us who we are and how others portray us.
Overall, this music video is beyond fierce. It makes me want to watch everything together and to see this whole musical. I may have once thought that Todrick Hall wasn't for me, and I do believe he is before his time; but, he's a trendsetter, and has totally won me over. I can't wait to see what he does in the future and I know I'll end up sitting back and watching the complete musical one day.
Was totally struggling to think of a music video to review today, and then this came up on my iTunes and the sample of Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner" totally made me decide to review this music video. Today was the first time I saw this visual and it is in-depth and totally addicting, but there's just something missing - it doesn't have the wow-factor. Watch Fall Out Boy enter an amphitheatre like the Colosseum and go up against a gladiator and initially lose before fighting back in this music video for "Centuries".
Fall Out Boy are a four-piece band consisting of Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman, Pete Wentz, and Andy Hurley. They have been going for many years, and have had a number of international hits, back when rock music was on top in mainstream; however, it's rare for rock music to impact the charts nowadays; but, Fall Out Boy is one of those bands that many still listen to and so they still manage to get some high chart numbers. This one, for instance, hit number 22 in the UK and number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was an international success and continues to prove that Fall Out Boy can still get those chart numbers. As previously mentioned the song samples Suzanne Vega's song "Tom's Diner" with the lyrics sung by singer-songwriter Lolo for this track; the band wanted to 're-inject' the song into popular culture; it was previously a hit through a remix and Britney Spears also covered it with a release by Giorgio Moroder. "Centuries" was written by Michael Fonseca, Raja Kumari, Jonathan Rotem, Justin Tranter, Andy Hurley, Patrick Stump, Joe Trohman, Suzanne Vega, and Pete Wentz.
Directed by Syndrome, this music video has a gladiator-style concept that is completely fitting to the song. The four guys from Fall Out Boy are captured and put into an amphitheatre (which I thought were all called colosseums, but it turns out there's only one Colosseum).
We watch as each of the band members go up against this gladiator, who they have no chance against. But, after they have fallen they collectively come together to create a weapon. The materials come from a hooded man who gave Fall Out Boy a piece of the weapon each, during the opening scene.
This would naturally be the end, but in a true cliff-hanger style, in comes Rick Ross as the next gladiator the guys have to defeat.
It's a great concept and it keeps things interesting throughout; however, there's something majorly missing. I feel that too much time is given to profile scenes of the hosts of the gladiator fight and the cloaked man; rather than keeping the audience interested in what is happening in the arena; and, even though we don't miss much from the battle itself, it just takes the experience away from us.
It is not long until we finally have Kesha's new album playing through our speakers. Yet again, she's given us another music video in promotion of the album; this is her third song from the "Rainbow" album and regardless of the clear low-budget compared to "Praying", it's well thought out and so so so good, just like the previous low-budget music video for "Woman". Whatever's happening with the whole #FreeKesha thing, we know that she is completely on form, for sure. Watch Kesha "Learn To Let Go" in her new music video which delves into the past and her childhood, and see how she takes inspiration from the home videos.
Kesha, full name Kesha Sebert, is preparing the release of her third studio album "Rainbow" and we are so excited. She's released two songs "Praying" and "Woman" which are complete killer tracks, just like this one and really proves that her new album is one that we are going to have on repeat for quite some time. She is still caught up with the court case with Dr. Luke but she's now releasing music and we are loving every new track. This song was written by Kesha Sebert, Pebe Sebert, and Stuart Crichton.
Directed by Isaac Ravishankara, this music video sees Kesha looking back on when she was a child and was all innocent. She transforms the home videos into reimagined scenes and it's beyond beautiful.
The start sees her putting a video tape into the player and her sitting down and watching with us. The walls collapse outwards and she walks through a forest where there are various items that link back to her childhood. We see a giant bed with a giant teddy bear, a truck in parts, a puppet stage, a reimagined swimming pool, and more. At one point, she takes the dance moves shown in a home video and transform them into a choreographed dance scene with her backup dancers; talk about coming up with good ideas!
The ending sees Kesha return to the room with her home videos of her childhood whilst the visual ends with the back of her denim jacket that says "The Sweet Little Devil Herself Ms. Kesha Rose" - we all want a jacket like that.
Another great music video from Kesha, we really should expect nothing less. Very thought out and relatable to the song. It works completely and we can't stop watching. We wish this had a much bigger budget as it could have been beyond awesome; but, regardless, it works well.
Now, this is what you call a collaborative debut single! This is from DJ Khaled. Today is Thursday Revisit, and I was eager to know what DJ Khaled's first single was like, and I actually can't believe that this wasn't an international hit, maybe it was just before its time. It's quite the collaboration and one that definitely becomes memorable after watching it. Watch DJ Khaled in his first music video alongside collaborators Lil Wayne, Paul Wall, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, and Pitbull for his debut single "Holla At Me".
DJ Khaled, real name Khaled Mohammed Khaled, is really on chart-form lately bringing it with his popular collaborations. He has had two UK number one singles to date, and it looks like he will continue to bring out dominating tracks. It shows how things have changed for him, now that he's in the international spotlight - and if this song is anything to go by, it's been coming for some time. On this track is a number of collaborators; Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Carter Jr., is one of the biggest rap artists in the world and continues to stay on top; Paul Wall, real name Paul Slayton, is best known for his early collaborations with Chamillionaire but then later went solo and even had a number one US album. Then there's Fat Joe, real name Joseph Cartagena, who was in Terror Squad with DJ Khaled and Remy Ma (she also appears in this music video), he was also in Diggin' in the Crates Crew, as a solo artist he's had incredible hits in the early 00's with Ashanti "What's Luv?", as well as Jennifer Lopez on "Hold You Down", with Ricky Martin and Amerie on "I Don't Care", and with Ja Rule and Jadakiss on "New York". Also on this track is Rick Ross, real name William Roberts II, who needs no introduction, it's a name we all definitely know; and then there's Pitbull, real name Armando Pérez, who also needs no introduction as he truly is Mr World Wide as he's songs have charted everywhere - he continues to bring out chart-defying hits and has collaborated with the industry's best artists. This collaboration is full on for a debut single and it works brilliantly. It samples Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force's 1983 song "Looking For The Perfect Beat".
Directed by R. Malcolm Jones, this music video is a simple and typical rap and hip-hop visual. It doesn't bring anything new to the table, and yet it is shot amazingly with every artist brings it when it's their time to shine.
As per usual, these sort of music video do not have a lot to them, and this is the exact same. Only, there are a few subtle differences. Lil Wayne stands out completely - which isn't a surprise - where his opening scene totally sets up the video well as he's not surrounded by many people.
It builds as it becomes more of a party, and by the time Pitbull arrives it's packed. This definitely deserves to go down in history as a great collaboration. In the visual, there are cameo appearances by Jim Jones, Birdman, Slim Thug, Dre, Remy Ma, Trina, Trick Daddy, DJ Drama, Scott Scorch, DJ Clue, Cool & Dre (who also produced the track), DJ Felli Fel, and DMX.
