VIDEOS FROM XtG

I prefer to keep my uploads spontaneous. You see, it all depends on the type of project. Some come together reasonably quick, while others require more attention, so to be honest I can’t really put a timescale on it. All I will say is keep your eyes peeled!

FYI: When I’m not releasing music, I’ll be posting regularly on social media, getting involved with events and keeping it raw over on my rap music blog.

I know many of you reading this will have a keen interest in videography, but they’ll also those of you thinking, ‘how the heck did you film that?!’ So, to give you an idea of my music video ‘musts’, here’s my recipe for stand-out visuals….

• GIMBAL FOOTAGE  – Ask me and music videos are arguably as important as the song itself, which means jerky visuals are the last thing you need. Gimbals are a great way to get around this by ensuring that all camera movements are smooth and the video flows in line with the lyrics. Plus, you can also achieve some rather kooky angles that would be almost impossible to achieve if your camera was handheld. 
• A QUIRKY CONCEPT –  Visuals are all about standing out and being different, so the concept behind them is key. If a video hasn’t been thought though, it shows, which is why I’m always on the hunt for the next quirky concept. For instance, a new location, visual effect or way of telling a story. 
• A CONFIDENT VIDEOGRAPHER – With visuals, the devil’s in the detail, which is why it’s a must to have a videographer who’s confident with editing as well as shooting. Impressive shots lose their wow factor if they’re not well edited. In my experience, the best videos come from someone who’s fluent in finding different angles, creative when it comes to editing, and most importantly, gets me as an artist.

Music videos do have a purpose beyond looking slick. No, they really do! So to help you get the gist of what that is, and why I invest so heavily in my visuals, here’s three ways music videos can affect how you look at a song…

MENTAL SYMMETRY – Listen to a song and a picture will most likely appear in your head – call it your own mental music video. It’s this interpretation has the power to govern how you see a song. Ever wondered why you suddenly fall in love with a song that you once despised, shortly after seeing the music video? It’s because you’re interpreting the song through the eyes of the artist and not your imagination. All of which means that elements like the subject, tone and wordplay, can make more sense – useful to know what with all the references made throughout Hip Hop and Rap music.

TIP: Think of it as reading a book and then seeing the film. Listen to a song and it’s open to your interpretation, whereas watching a music video you’re been shown how the artist intends it to be interpreted. Ya get me?

STORYTELLING – Behind the majority of music there’s a story, because for many artists (me included), it’s an outlet. One of emotion, thought and in some instances pain, that a music video with a storyline can help to express. For the most part, stories are a sign of authenticity. They allow you, the listener, to relate to an artist’s music and truly understand why it has been written. A snippet of personality that may be all that’s needed to turn you from a casual fan, into a loyal follower. 

AUDIENCE – We’re all different. Some of us listen to Hip Hop because of the lyrics, while for others, the beat is the real party piece. And it’s much the same with the ‘Song VS Music Video’ debate. For some of us, a video enhances the song, whereas for others it does very little, so I guess you could say they’re subjective. But that’s the thing. Music videos have given birth to a whole new audience. One that’s perhaps less bothered about wordplay or ‘musical composition’ and more about an artist’s image and what it is they stand for. An audience that by not doing a video, artists could potentially be missing out on. Let’s face it, the way we digest and interpret music is changing and we can’t afford to ignore it.

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