Video Drop #14

‘For Your Eyes Only’ featuring Alaine by Shaggy [Directed by Jay Will]

Doesn’t it seem like we were waiting to actually see this damn thing for like 2 years??? First up this week is a video whose ‘making of’ has been around probably for two months at this point (further research reveals that it’s actually been three months), as Reggae superstar Shaggy teams up with the angelic Alaine on ‘For Your Eyes Only’. Unsurprisingly, I don’t particularly like it very much. The visuals are pretty nice, in spots (and you can surely figure out when and where those ‘spots’ occur), but it doesn’t really do anything does it? It’s more like a showcase for the song on a basic soundstage somewhere, but I don’t think this song was one with which you could’ve done a great deal so, perhaps this was the best way to go in this case.

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

‘Holiday’ by Collie Buddz [Directed by Jeff Pliskin]

Remember him??? Bermy Reggae/Dancehall star, Collie Buddz, continues to flirt with the likelihood of being declared a full-on modern Reggae ‘one hit wonder’ of sorts after failing to generate a followup to the massive ‘Come Around’ of similar stature (despite being a clearly talented deejay, I think he just always tries a bit too hard to put too much into his vibes these days). Potential over effort is definitely no concern on his latest drop, however, ‘Holiday', which apparently is a tune from his still forthcoming EP, ”Playback”. Reportedly shot on location in Bermuda (biggup Bermuda), the video finds an obvious stressed out Collie Buddz on his day job of flipping burgers seeking to breakout and just go and relax on the boat with his friends (probably his family). I have absolutely no problem with this one. It isn’t great, but it nearly perfectly matches the tune.

Video Rated: 3.5/5
Video - Song Link: 4.5/5

'Jah Rule' by Ras Zacharri

Not that I’ve been paying the greatest bit of attention, but I haven’t heard a great deal from the impressive Ras Zacharri from since his 2009 debut album, ”Herbs Man” reached, but the song here, ’Jah Rule’, demonstrates exactly why I always look forward to hearing new work from the artist. The song is Zacharri’s cut of the Mercy Riddim from King Dubbist Records (or is it Roommate?) and it’s pretty nice yeah. The video clearl isn’t the greatest, but you can still see that someone cared for it enough to rip in some visual effects and really one of the best things about it is the colours which almost give it a dark and documentary-esque vibes to it. Actually, watching it again, it’s probably better than I originally thought.

Video Rated: 3.5/5
Video - Song Link: 3/5

‘So Cold’ by Rebellion The Recaller [Directed by B&B Productions]

This may, in fact, be the very first video that I’ve ever seen from the outstandingly versatile Gambian, Rebellion The Recaller, so we’ll give him the ‘room’ for a first timer (even though it probably isn’t his first time). 'So Cold' is a decent one (as it goes along it gets better when you listen to it lyrically) and the video is also decent as it presumably finds the Recaller going around his neighbourhood with his friends. For me, however, I just simply enjoy the fact that it actually exists and is getting more and more exposure for this wonderful artist (particularly after his homebase label, IM Music, apparently vanished from the face of the earth).

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

‘Got To Be Strong’ featuring Richie Spice by J-Boog [Directed by Dylan Maddux]

Next we have a tune which I’ve been well enjoying for a minute despite the fact that I had no idea that a video for it even existed (and apparently it has existed from at least March) as Hawaiian Reggae export, J-Boog, teams up with Jamaican star Richie Spice (who reportedly has a new VP album on its way early next year) on ‘Got To Be Strong’. The video is set up really really nicely and proves to be quite excellent actually. Half shot in California, half shot in Kingston the video kind of just shows off the communities of both artists and does so in a very nice way, including by adding a few cameos in the midst of things as well (biggup Yami Bolo and Gramps). The song is big, the video was done very well. Well done all around.

Video Rated: 4.5/5
Video - Song Link: 4/5

‘No Way, No How’ featuring Marcia Griffiths by Spragga Benz

And lastly this week, Spragga Benz continues his assault on making a video for every damn video on his recent album, ”Shotta Culture” and this time chooses a tune which presents a fantastic opportunity to lineup a legend for her first video appearance in how long as Marcia Griffiths joins him on ‘No Way, No How’. With all due respect to Griffiths, however, she isn’t quite the focal point of the video. Instead, eyes are likely to be fixated on the amount of ASS which surrounds Spragga in this video, particularly the LOVELY chocolateness whose name I’m sure I know but am frustratingly unable to come up with, but not excluding Spragga’s selector with the very impressive hair. The problem here is the fact that the video and song have virtually nothing in common with one another and it’s so much out of place that it seems rather strange actually (the strangest moment definitely being the guy running tricks on his bike), but I’m . . . Just finding very difficult to care about that now.

Video Rated: 4.25/5
Video - Song Link: 0.5/5


{Videos of The Year coming very soon}
{hopefully}