Video Drop 9: The Flood Anew

‘Anything (Cook Fi Yu)’ by Ce’Cile [Directed by Dexter Pottinger]

Well look what we have here! In yet another video it’s Achis Reggae favourite, badgyal Ce’Cile (who apparently took all of her sexy hips and ass to Lucia Carnival not too long ago), rolling around looking . . . Yep on the beach. And while last time she shared rolling duties with Danielle, this time, for ‘Anything’ across Don Corleon’s well seasoned Feminine Riddim, she looks even better. Besides the obvious (which I’ll get to in a second, even though I shouldn’t have to, I’m going to do it anyway), this song is proving to be quite the powerhouse for the artist as she scores with yet another very romantic hit and by no ‘spoof‘ either, deservedly so, it is very good. Okay - Of course the scenery is very nice and the video is very colourful which makes it, generally speaking, very easy on the eyes and just something nice to look at - BUT had they shot ME at the same locale, it wouldn’t be too pretty. Ce’Cile, on the other hand, looks SPECTACULAR. I don’t pay much attention to clothes, but that orange dress she has on ~2:05 does something very special for her and that shot comes just after what is the highlight for me as a less dressed Bad Gyal leans the wonderfulness up against the newly crowned world’s luckiest rock. Pretty girl in various states of undress on a beach singing a lovely tune - What more could you ask for?

Video Rated: 5/5
Video - Song Link: 4.5/5

‘Money Love’ by Duane Stephenson [Directed by Brian Roberts]

Next in is an artist in Duane Stephenson who I rather shamelessly admit to have underrated over the years, (but am now apparently about to receive an opportunity to give some big credit as his sophomore album, “Black Gold” is set to drop in August for VP) with his latest clip for the Sankofa produced tune, ‘Money Love’. This song should probably remind you of I Wayne’s first big hit, ‘Can’t Satisfy Her’, in terms of its direction as it follows the story of a young woman whose allegiances (and affections) aren’t too hard to come by for the man (or woman probably) willing to pay the price. Definitely the most interesting bit here is following the young lady (a cutie, no doubt a about it) as she literally TRAVELS from man to man in search for what she wants. I THINK the video also features a cameo from wicked lover’s rock singer Stevie Face (who would be the individual she meets on the beach in the white shirt who summarily throws her out) and is just very well done with several visual aids and effects as well.

Video Rated: 4.5/5
Video - Song Link: 5/5

'Stick To My Roots' by Tippa Irie & The Far East Band

Tippa Irie alongside the well respected Far East Band come in with the video for the title track from their new album ”Stick To My Roots”, I don’t particularly like this video and wouldn’t have mentioned it at all if it weren’t for the fact that the tune itself is absolutely dazzling and I had marked the album as something I wasn’t planning on checking because I haven’t, historically, been the biggest fan of Irie’s at all, but maybe I need to go back and actually give a proper spin because if there’s more material like such, I’m definitely going to be interested. As I said, the video doesn’t do very much at all and the highlights come in the back footage of a younger Tippa Irie. Besides that it’s people having a good time and enjoying the tune, just like me (and it wouldn’t be a good video if you stuck a camera in my face either).

Video Rated: 2.5/5
Video - Song Link: 3/5

‘Here She Comes’ by Maikal X [Directed by Mike Fugers]

Pretty big deal here - Dutchie Maikal X, one of the most promising young artists in the world is up with his new video for ‘Here She Comes’ which is presumably the first single for his debut album ”Genesis” (which technically should be out now I suppose). The tune plunders the melody from an old Hall & Oates song, ‘Maneater’ and does so in a very jazzed up and ‘groovy’ type of vibes which definitely fit X’s style to my ears and does so quite well. The video is decent enough, I suppose, it certainly isn’t breaking any new ground and it really didn’t need to very much in order to present this already quite attractive tune. The highlight for me is the rather funny nature in which Maikal X appears, almost like a physical conscience of sorts. It’s particularly noticeable later on when the guy in the car picks up the girl and on the next shot a rather ghostly lit X appears in the backseat with a look of complete disgust and disapproval - Disgusted he vanishes from the car at video’s end. CANNOT WAIT to get my hands on this album.

Video Rated: 3.75/5
Video - Song Link: 4.75/5

‘Shotta Culture’ by Spragga Benz [Directed by Ras Kassa]

And lastly (before I changed my mind, that is) is the video for the latest drop from Spragga Benz’ eternally postponed eagerly awaited long player, ”Shotta Culture”, the title track. This one is yet another big piece from an album which is most likely going to be the best of the Benz’ career and definitely one of the best of 2010 as well as Spragga has arguably been in his greatest form in quite some time within the last couple of years or so and the results have shown it and they don’t stop showing it here. This rather grimy Ras Kassa directed drop is very very harsh and because of that, I do actually enjoy that the colour is in black and white. That’s not always a plus in videos (and it’s generally a very overused practise in my opinion), but due to how things work here, it’s very appropriate and very fitting. And I also like the fact that it isn’t just some kind of ‘communal’ video and there actually is a running ‘storyline’ of sorts as well . . . Oh and this album is going to be MADNESS (apparently it now drops on August 31, I’m not marking my calendar just yet, however).

Video Rated: 4.5/5
Video - Song Link: 5/5

‘Tu Me Manques’ by Methi'S [Directed by Gary Baron]

Seriously - What would a Video Drop be without at least one Zoukie? This week we just so happen to have one of the most crucial at the moment and one of my own personal favourite as well as (I THINK) Genesiz Crew member Methi’S drops the video for ‘Tu Me Manques’, the first video and single from her brand new debut album ”Mon Nid D’Iles”. As far as I know, having guested on pieces from Saïk and SamX and probably others as well, this also becomes Methi’S’ very first solo video as well and . . . Well it is interesting to say the least. Of course, what you should notice immediately from the video is that Methi’S has essentially lost her damn mind and has the straitjacket, the facial and body twitches and the doctors complete with ink splotches to prove it! She’s crazy as hell because she misses her man and thankfully in the end all is revealed that she isn’t really in the mental ward (and as someone who has spent more than a cople of nights in such a place, let me tell you, that’s a very good thing) and is actually just having a nightmare, which may explain the body paint. But all isn’t revealed prior to seeing this cutie walking up the beach with a lovely yellow sundress.

Video Rated: 4.25/5
Video - Song Link: 3.75/5

‘Summn’ A Guh Gwan’ by Busy Signal featuring Bounty Killer [Directed by Ras Kassa]

I’m definitely happy that I waited a bit before posting this entry because it gave me a bit of opportunity to add to it (and this video and however many others I add after it were written considerably after the previous lot) - Like this GEM of a video for ‘Summn’ A Guh Gwan’, the big combination featuring Bounty Killer from Busy Signal’s new album ”D.O.B.”. As I said in the review, this tune is very much the kind of ‘large’ sounding sufferer’s anthem for which the Killer is famous and the video plays out EXCELLENTLY by transferring our stars into their youth (while still deejaying) going through the ghetto expressing the words same way. That is just an OUTSTANDING idea and it’s one which almost certainly could’ve played out incredibly lame, but it doesn’t at all. Have to say that the youths definitely do excellently (although I think they picked the wrong one for each (Bounty taller yeah)) in their roles and while you’d hear this tune and expect something probably very dark, it’s anything but for the most part and it’s one of the best videos I’ve seen all year.

Video Rated: 5/5
Video - Song Link: 5/5

‘Never Give Up’ by Tiwony & Konshens [Directed by Lostyca (Alasani Pictures)]

I believe I said it last time I happened to mention a video from Achis Reggae favourite, Tiwony, that the man just so happens to very quietly make EXCELLENT videos time and time again and following his last - ‘Ka Nou Ka Atan Ankô’ - he returns with a clip (which I didn’t expect at all) for ‘Never Give Up’, his new single (available digitally right now) alongside burgeoning Jamaican star, Konshens. I’m going to tell you immediately that, again, I’m not the best at interpreting (and thus critiquing) the visuals, certainly not as well as I am with audios (not an expert at that either lol), and I may be overrating and overreacting, but I AM IMPRESSED! Even by Tiwony’s rather inclined proven standards, this is a beautiful piece of work. The tune itself is on a very HEAVY, but inspirational type of vibes and it’s very broad also and that definitely comes out in the video with the duo kind of roaming around and encountering various different people from various different walks of life. There’re mostly happy faces, which are nice, but a few who don’t seem to want to be too bothered with the camera business as well - Which is a very nice expression of life. Well done.

Video Rated: 4.99999999/5
Video - Song Link: 5/5

‘Outrageous Wine’ by Nicole David [Directed by Davina Lee]

I almost feel like I HAVE to mention this rather timely piece from former St. Lucia Road March champion, Nicole David, ‘Outrageous Wine’, because during the Soca Monarch competition of her homeland, on Choice they played this video somewhere in the neighbourhood of around 400 times. First of all is the obvious thing, like most of Nicole David’s 2010 season, the video is somewhat pornish. There was even discussion that some channel had even banned the video from their airwaves (obviously not Choice). Okay, you’ve got just general states of semi-nudity and what’re apparently twins making out on the couch, strippers and then more general semi-nudity. . . That’s about it. Decent level of eye-candy, some wining (not quite outrageous in my opinion, although it gets better by its end) and perhaps most importantly, just a good time had by all.

Video Rated: 3.75/5
Video - Song Link: 4/5

‘Delinquents’ by Problem Child [Directed by Jomol James]

And sticking on the very timely Soca is the ‘Vincy Bad Boy’, Problem Child, with his 40,000th video (but maybe only like his second actual one), for his big and incredibly frantic tune from Vincy Mas 2k10, ‘Delinquents’. Besides a pretty expected cameo from the Child’s brother, recently three-peating Vincy Soca Monarch, Skinny Fabulous (actually, the beginning altogether, is quite hilarious, including Problem Child’s boss and his big ass chin), the one thing which just sticks out so nice here is the video’s ENERGY and INTENSITY. Unless you’re going to take it out somewhere and do a scene or a story with it (like Bunji Garlin did in the video for ‘Brave‘), in my opinion, this is the way these type of HUGE power Soca songs should look when they reach video. A lot of people (whether real or computer generated) just going crazy, acting like a damn fool. A lot of nice colours, nothing too perverted and just a GREAT time had by all and I do love the end with various random people (some seemingly at their place of employment already) saying how much they don’t want to go to work. DELINQUENTS!

Video Rated: 4.5/5
Video - Song Link: 4.75/5

‘Amazing’ by Ludy [Directed by Gary Baron]

I’d definitely planned on ending things right there, but you know me, I’m a sucker for a pretty face (or legs and feet obviously), especially when it’s wearing a bikini and laying on a boat (or, more importantly, wearing a dress emblazoned with the words “NO NEED TO TALK”). If you know of another video with those characteristics (unless if by “pretty” you mean a man) then definitely let me know, because as of now, I only know one, that of the BEAUTIFUL up and coming Ludy, ‘Amazing’. Ludy is a brand new (I think) Zouk singer from out of Madinina (I THINK) and she’s been catching quite a bit of hype and even signed (apparently) with the BIG label, Don’s Music (who’re suddenly turning their attentions to Zouk with Methi’S and now Ludy) for her forthcoming new album. ‘Amazing’ is the first single and I LOVE THIS SONG. It is a BEAUTIFUL Zouk tune and now seeing it in video, it certainly helps that Ludy is pretty damn easy on the eyes. Of course, the highlight of the video comes when she rather abruptly steps from behind the curtain with a dress saying “NO NEED TO TALK” (incidentally I have a shirt which says, “ I AGREE” on it) to greet her man (who I’m pretty sure is her actual man because he is sure to grab that ass) (good for him). I’m not going to call what ensues ’pornish’ (even though I love that word), but it’s sexy, its sensual, it’s lustful, it’s romantic - It’s what you think of when you think of Zouk done well. And I don’t know if the video actually lives up to the title in terms of quality but hell . . . It’s close enough.

Video Rated: 5/5
Video - Song Link: 4.25/5

‘Come Over’ by D’Angel [Directed by Dexter Pottinger]

And yes - There’s more, because you beautiful people have suddenly decided to send me videos, thus thwarting my attempt to start a Gentleman review, but I’d much rather look at D’Angel than Mr. Otto any day of the week. Especially here, the video for ’Come Over’, as our starlet plays a spy (very inconspicuously) who walks down the street with a very unassuming red . . . Spy outfit on. After that, I don’t know if I actually followed the thing as it seems she hooks up with her contact, or if that isn’t him (not that I was paying attention) (and I wasn’t) she hooks up with a next guy at a party, which I thought was a setup of some sort to grab his attention. It’s somewhat confusing (or I’m just slow as hell today), but who cares - The highlight here is that D’Angel is extremely sexy and looks a wee bit more curvy than usual (especially when leaning up against that wall at ~1:06) (damn) which is an excellent thing. Also, although I’m not terribly fond of the tune, it does go to show that, as I’ve been saying for awhile, she REALLY does have talents as a DJ and isn’t just a very very very very pretty face (and body), because the flow on this thing, again - Whether you like the tune or not - Is very nice and consistent.

Video Rated: 4/5
Video - Song Link: ???

‘My Life’ by I-Octane [Directed by Asha]

. . . Okay, if you read me with any consistency, you know that I’m VERY high on I-Octane and I definitely feel that the man is a future star in the game and he’s already even, arguably, a star as one of the greatest and biggest young(er) artist around. Incredibly talented and a big future and a big present he has, BUT this video is pretty bad. I love the tune, have had since I first heard it and still do, but the video for ‘My Life’ just never REALLY clicks too well. The cut-ins of the other people are what you would most certainly expect, and definitely not the kind of psychedelic green screen shots which dominate the proceedings. It’s so interesting that normally with Reggae videos (especially from Jamaica), you kind of get tired of those shots, but in this case, I think they just tried too damn hard with it. BIG BIG tune still.

Video Rated: 2/5
Video - Song Link: 3/5

‘Wildfire’ by Tarrus Riley [Directed by Melissa Llewellyn]

And lastly (sounds familiar don’t?) - Hopefully really this time - Is the big man, Tarrus Riley, with his latest video for the outstanding Don Corleon vibed tune, ‘Wildfire’. There’s nothing much special going on here (and that’s a good thing), but I do so love this tune which certainly is going to go to make the prospect of a video pretty mouth watering to me and Tarrus (and Melissa Llewellyn) definitely deliver what one would’ve hoped from I-Octane (and Asha), with just a very simple and poignant video. I like how this one comes through where you have people who’re clearly struggling and going through the system, but so many of them are shot as being either happy and passionate (largely as a response to seeing Riley in most cases) or indifferent and just going about their business. And when you tie that into the lyrics of the song, “protect yah people Jah”, it REALLY works because it shows that no one is asking for any type of special treatment or preferential treatment (he could’ve so easily shot the video on a beach or in a mansion somewhere), but just this. Keep kids going to school, keep vendors vending and just people going about what they go about and he’ll be happy.

Video Rated: 4.5/5
Video - Song Link: 4.5/5