Posted in Art, Videos on August 6th, 2011 by Hyphen
3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage… all to turn 3 ambitious linear concepts based on movement, learning and food ….into 3 beautiful and hopefully compelling short films…..
= a trip of a lifetime.
Rick Mereki : Director, producer, additional camera and editing
Tim White : DOP, producer, primary editing, sound
Andrew Lees : Actor, mover, groover
I’ve said it before on the site and I’ll say it again. I’m a sucker for flashing lights and when you combine them with crystal clear video and a time lapse…aw man, it’s ALWAYS dope.
I’ve been watching Hov make the rounds to damn near every media outlet in NYC over the past week, but I wasn’t really sold that I wanted to check out Decoded until this interview at the New York Public Library. It’s almost 2 hours, so it’s certainly long, but if you can watch it, I highly recommend it. There’s really good, insightful commentary from Jay, Cornel West, and Paul Holdengraber throughout.
Shout to Shad’s manager, G, who sent it over and summed it up nicely:
There is a video link below. It’s not short. But it’s great.
It reminded me about how important the work that we do is. We are quite literally changing the future.
For the remaining history of this world, people who love really good food, will undoubtedly stumble upon the creative output of our friends. I think that’s f*cking incredible, and I often forget…to remember it.
It was great to revisit Jay-Z as an artist…and it was great to see Cornel West attempt to evoke just a bit more enlightenment in a person who he clearly has a ton of respect for already.
This video also made me realize how important it is to have a Cornel West Uncle at the dinner table.
I could write an essay on Kanye’s Runaway film, and the ensuing debates it sparked, but what’s the point? There will be a million analytical pieces by Monday, and none of them will be any more “right” than the others. It’s art…and I’m really not looking forward to hearing other people tell me how to consume it.
Personally, I’m satisfied with an interesting concept, some beautiful shots & colors, and some really dope music. The intro scene with “Dark Fantasy” and the “Devil In A New Dress” segment were flawless, though part of me wishes this was the first time I ever heard any of these songs. That’s always been one of my least favorite aspects of the internet age and I may have to revert back to avoiding music from my favorite artists until it’s officially presented. Even with all the live performances, interviews, and song/artwork leaks spoiling much of Runaway, I thoroughly enjoyed the film.
Regardless of how you felt about it, you have to agree: no mainstream MC puts more effort and care into his music than Kanye. Sure, it can come off pretentious at times (ok, much of the time), but he’s really trying to express something in his art and take it to new places. He doesn’t always hit the mark, but musically, he’s never disappointed me.
Aloe and company perform two records live in Parisian cafes. While “Hey Brother” was dope, this rendition of “I Need A Dollar” was insane. I’m still happy I was able to witness this in person too. I think I need to leak the mp3 of that performance soon…
Speaking of Paris, after watching Robin Hood last night, I officially have a crush on Lea Seydoux:
Posted in Art, Music Videos on September 23rd, 2010 by Hyphen
Simply put, the homey Jon Augustavo makes music videos look doooooope. Here’s his new reel, featuring many clips you’ve seen here on TAOD. Check his site for more.
Lyrics: (I don’t like to start verses with “I” you know but um…)
v-1
Well theres no I in team
But theres a I in win
And every guy wanna win
So folks is eyein him
The I in pride
They say pride puts the I in sin
Puts self at the centre
“I and I” come in
Cuz I am imperfect
None of us is ron men
Pls be my 3rd eye
When the light gets dim
Even my story’s not mine
Where do I begin?
Not with I, Im reminded
See the I in him – 8
In my enemy especially
Him and I are twins
gotta love him as I love I
Him and I are kin
Take the thing
Out my own eye
Then See if the word is where world
begin
then at the end of the word
Friend is where I end
And all men become I, and I them
So Who am I then?
Just dust in the wind
With a pen and a grin
im goin in
you goin in?
im goin in like yes
chorus-
we all in agreement
if you hear the song and you feel it
put your palms to the ceiling like yes
(x2)
v-2
what can I say for myself?
Where im at aint where I stationed myself
So im grateful I do okay for myself
I wanna do better for yall
Im afraid of myself
God said you trust me
Now have some faith in yourself
when I made my first record
I would say to myself
Im glad to share this
I don’t wanna just play for myself
The thing with rappin is
it helps me get away from myself
And put these thoughts and feelings out
So they don’t stay on the shelf
stay in my soul
cuz I find
The more I stay to myself
the less I find the real me
the more i
stray from myself
and cant to relate to no else
I don’t have to
make a way for myself
but make my thoughts
point away
from myself
and what else…
chorus
v-3
We are
Greater than the sum of us
All greater than some of us
Greater than each piece or part
We are a body
An army
greater than
any single art piece
And love in our hearts
We are who we are
Behind doors
In secret, In our deep depths
And recesses
We arent free yet
We are how we treat
Our sick folks and widows
The rich with broken hearts
The Broke and the crippled
The soul that’s weak
And we arent what we eat
We are what comes out
Of our mouths
When we speak
Most of yall don’t
speak truth
ya cant play me
Playboy
Im no kid
I don’t play wi
we are parents
cherished
Proud and embarrassed
Weve come a long way
but we’re still not there yet
and we don’t always get along
me myself and i
when we do
we in tune like the song singin…
