My infactuation with hip- hop videos runs deep. My first real recollection of hip-hop videos came when I was about 6 years old. I can recall spending the night at my older cousin's house. We spent countless hours watching videos! She used to have videos on while she did her homework, as well as when she talked to her boyfriend on the phone. When her favorite song came on she would tell me to go turn the t.v. up. As i got off the couch, and followed my order she would belt out the national black phrase when it comes to liking a song " ohh... that's my shit!" ( Don't act like you dont use it). As I watched Positive K say " What ya man got to do wit me" and saw Kriss Kross wear backward jerseys and "Jump Jump" my intrigue with hip hop videos began. I may not have fully understood what was going on, but the music, and the images left a lasting impression on me.
The older I grew, so did my infacuation. By this time I was fully submerged in the world of Hype Williams, Paul Hunter, and Little X, as they visually captured some of my favorite songs. As the only child, I remember waking up in the summertime, with my parents already at work, and watching about 2 hours of MTV Beach House with Bill Bellamy. Back then MTV and BET did not play all the same videos. MTV played all the mainstream hip hop artists like Puff Daddy, LL Cool J, and Missy Elliot, so I would switch over to BET to watch the grimier low budget- but- equally as hot videos from artists like Wu Tang, Black Moon, Common, and The Lost Boyz. At night I even learned a thing or two about slow jams watching Video Soul, and Midnight Love. When my Jamaican side came out, I would watch the fine-as-wine host Rachel, walk up and down the beach introducing videos on Carribean Rythms.
On the weekends, while waiting to get my haircut in the barbershop I would get a double dose of Teen Summit, and the Rap City Countdown. I distinctly remember the episode when Bone Thugs- N- Harmony performed live for the first time and how juiced I was ( I am from Cleveland). Then I would watch the Rap City Countdown with my man Joe Clair, as he profiled some of the hottest artists and featured the top videos. I can remember how I use to try to guess which video would be # 1.
Shows like Direct Effect, MTV Beach House, MuchMusic (Canadian Station) MTV JAMZ, Rap City the Bassment, The Center, Cita's World, 106 & Park, and the infamous "UnCut" were the platforms that showcased all of my videos during my youth.
As an adult, videos have taken a new shape. With new technoly, and futuristic production, videos have been upgraded to full scale productions.
However. I love to watch MTVJams,and VH1 Soul, theses stations give you non stop videos, which feature the hottest videos of today, and also reconnect you to videos past.
In closing, videos are much more than a 4 minute clip. Videos tell stories, introduce fashions, and take you places in the world that you have never seen. Videos capture the essense of an era, taking you away from your existence and inserting you in that world. Long, Live, Hip- Hop Videos. Ya Dig.
1 comment:
I def agree with hip hop videos offering more than just a window into the music. It was our culture. I distinctly remember watching Aaliyah videos thinking that her style was SO fly. I had to have those black workman boots, with the yellow stitch (yall know what I am talking about. I also loved TLC, Salt & Peppa, and SWV videos. They brought a sense of femininity to hip hop through their lyrics and style.
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