Video Drop X: The News

‘Unconditional Love’ by Jah Cure featuring Phyllisia [Directed by Asha]

First up this week is the biggest deal of the lot (I like how I say that, despite the fact that I don’t know what else I’m going to put in here) as the best singer in the world, Jah Cure, returns to the visual music world with the video for his latest big tune, ‘Unconditional Love’ featuring cutie Sobe label mate, Phyllisia (who possibly has the most difficult name to spell out of any artist that I’ve come across to date). The big deal here is that a few weeks ago the Cure and company shot the video in Havana, Cuba and it makes a LOVELY backdrop for he and his driver to drive around sightseeing and singing. Meanwhile, a very nice touch occurs as amongst the actual players in the video is a guitar player who, as it just so happens, fits in wonderfully with the tune itself because of that very quietly DOMINANT guitar in it. He frequently, at different scenes, spots and is spotted by a very interested observer who eventually becomes the object of his own ‘unconditional love’. Very nice.

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

‘Jamaican Party’ & ‘Dancehall Nuh Dead Yet’ by Beenie Man & Camar [Directed by Janelle Dyer]

Next in is the not too rare none at all ‘2 in 1’ as Beenie Man shoots videos for both ‘Jamaican Party’ with Camar (who is apparently doing his business in the States these days) and ‘Dancehall Nuh Dead Yet’. The way this is set is that it’s a really big fete on the beach and the first half, in the day time is ‘Jamaican Party’. I don’t like that song and the video isn’t particularly anything that was unexpected so . . . Yeah, the highlight there (and anywhere else, for that matter) is the very nice eye candy (although the tune itself does definitely pick up as it progresses). Then, at night, we change things and hit ‘Dancehall Nuh Dead Yet’. This tune - I LIKE! The Doctor espouses on the rather damning trend of Hip-Hoppifying the Dancehall (“Mi no recognize di beats mi ah hear from wah day. Dem ah try sell out mi culture lak it deh pon Ebay”), which is most fucked up, and does it with some STRONG deejaying. The way it should be. I would have, of course, loved to have seen the second song grab up its own spot, but in this form I’ll still take it.

Video Rated: 3.5/5
Video - Song(s) Link: 3/5

‘This Is How We Do It’ by Bounty Killer featuring Elephant Man [Directed by Gareth Cobran]

And here we have a tune which, on name value alone, probably would have gone first (had I remembered it, or even if I felt like going back and changing the way I wrote the first one), as we have two still reigning giants of the Dancehall, Bounty Killer and Elephant Man linking up on ‘This Is How We Do It’ over ZJ Chrome’s ridiculous Mad Collab Riddim [bka that thing that backed ‘Clarks’]. As far as the song, not too surprisingly I’m rather fond of Bounty Killer’s portions of it (SERIOUSLY, as far as I’m concerned, Bounty has been on a good musical roll for eighteen months or so) and not too much so when Ele reaches the mic (although I still maintain he’s one of the most NATURALLY TALENTED individuals to ever hold the mic in the Dancehall and you‘ll notice his tune playing at the beginning for evidence of that). I’m also not very fond of the video either, it’s a pretty standard club type of video (I guess it does fit the song in that respect) and although the always entertaining ‘Energy God’ does manage to get the hilarity going later on, it just isn’t enough and Bounty, frankly, looks a wee bit out place, following that MASSIVE video which just released, ‘Summn’ A Guh Gwaan’ with Busy Signal.

Video Rated: 2.5/5
Video - Song Link: 3.5/5

‘They Say’ & ‘Nuttin Nah Gwan’ by Wasp featuring Raine Seville [Directed by Janelle Dyer]

Here we have another double-dip featuring the ALWAYS interesting Wasp and the First Lady of Daseca, certified cutie Raine Seville with ‘They Say’ and ‘Nuttin Nah Gwan’, respectively. First is Wasp alone with his tune, ‘They Say’ which . . . Is a bit uncomfortable because you kind of get the feeling that you’re seeing something that you’re not supposed to be seeing as Wasp basically just kind of ‘relaxes’ (relaxes, has foreplay, whatever you like) with his woman before hitting the road to promote his music. Meanwhile, Raine’s roommate is apparently trying to ward off the repo man from taking their truck with no success (he is a HEARTLESS bastard after all) and then, without vehicle, she also has to hit the road to promote. The second tune is the bigger of the two and that side of the video (which takes place in more than one room) reflects it, featuring, amongst others, both D’Angel and I-Octane. They actually could have done away with the first part all together if you ask me, but the second makes up for it.

Video(s) Rated: 3.75/5
Video(s) - Song Link: 3.75/5

‘Million Dollar Check’ by Mojo Morgan **Pick of The Post**

I was actually going to save this one until next week until I realized just how nicely it fit, following the last entry, and just how very strong it was also (a quality which we seem to be lacking this week). As the various members of Morgan Heritage continue their solo pursuits, it’s now Mojo’s turn to have a video and he went all the way to Senegal to make it happen. Just like with Raine Seville and Wasp, Mojo’s ‘Million Dollar Check’ is a tune about people struggling and fighting hard to make ends meet in the world and in this case, he also has a repo man, a VERY interesting one. For me THE most entertaining aspect of the video is the fact that the repo man in this case, CLEARLY hates his job and is also struggling in his own home to make ends meet apparently and then his woman leaves him and takes the kids (and you’ll notice the look on his face when he sees the family whose truck he’s just taken and remember it when his own family gets in their truck to leave him. Completely depressed he soon joins Mojo and company in the festivities of the MUSIC to feel better. And you also see the nice children of Afrika and other pieces of nice imagery. It MIGHT be kind of sappy by its end, but if a video is a meant to a sell a song, consider this one a ROUSING success.

Video Rated: 4.9999999/5
Video - Song Link: 5/5

‘Artmada Party’ by Lieutenant featuring Pleen Pyroman & Valley

And lastly we have the first of two new and significant videos from the FWI, this one, ‘Artmada Party’, features veterans Valley and Pyroman alongside the star, Lieutenant, who is getting closer and closer to dropping his (debut I think) album for the big label, Don’s Music (definitely expect a review). The video (and this may not be the completed version) is just HILARIOUS because apparently there’s a mob out there kidnapping everyone providing less than great vibes. After a VERY ominous beginning where they capture the stars, they’re giving a final chance to mash up the very skeptical crowd and they succeed. This one got just a tiny smidge past the Lieutenant’s intro when it GRABBED me and it’s still got me. I like how they then go on to show how each of the three got caught (and as I tell people all the time, I know it’s cool and you want to show off, but take that bench and lock it back up in the house) (ask Lieutenant) and the musical highlight, DEFINITELY, comes when Valley jumps in. And the video also gives you a cliffhanger at the end, meanwhile my only cliffhanger, personally, is when the hell can I get Lieutenant’s new album, ”Dancehall Anarchy”? Soon, very very soon. Like yesterday.

Video Rated: 4.9999999/5
Video - Song Link: 4.5/5

‘Dancehall 4 You’ by Saïk featuring Kaf Malbar [Directed by Jam Productions & Cleefson Productions]

And to wrap it up is a video from one of my own personal favourites (and hopefully yours too, if your ears work), demonically possessed lyrics star from out of Gwada, Saïk, alongside veteran Kaf Malbar (who apparently is from Reunion (biggup Malkijah) which I didn’t know), for ‘Dancehall 4 You’. When I ‘first’ heard this tune I was almost sure that I had heard it somewhere before, but it is new as far as I can tell and it is absolutely infectious and the video, although not spectacular, is very nice on the eyes - Very colourful (few cuties in there too and a few others who need a dermatologist). Still, you know what it’s all about - Saïk stars off pretty lukewarm (and in that respect, early in the tune is Kaf dominated), before kicking it into a higher gear and Malbar sticks right there as well, which makes for a most interesting moment on the tune. Kaf Malbar actually has a (pretty good) new album out now, ”Le Yin et Le Yang” and unless I’m a damn fool (and I just might be) this tune isn’t on there, so you already know where my mind is going as far as albums go, so I won’t even get my hopes up by actually writing it.

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