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Watch Kanye West "Stronger"
Kanye West spent lots of cash on his video for "Stronger," a track taken from his upcoming new album "Graduation." The rapper's investment has resulted in something that confidently raises the bar in video cinematography. "Stronger" is pure eye candy with a strong visual aesthetic that includes bold Asian lettering, fluorescent Tokyo street imagery and futuristic, Akira video game-style action scenes that totally fit the hard-pounding rhythms and synthetic qualities of the song.
West teamed with acclaimed director Hype Williams to put the video together. Williams, who is known for his "visual bravado and vivid imagination," has become one of the leading creative forces who has given a visual edge to today's global hip hop culture. Hype started out as a graffiti artist in New York City with the dream of becoming the next Keith Haring. After a brief stint in graphic design, Williams started directing music videos in the early '90 most notably for people like Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes.
Kanye's futuristic concept for "Stronger" fits perfectly with Williams' knack for outlandish set designs, constantly moving camera angles and saturated color palettes that are intensified with advanced digital editing techniques. His distinct style and perfect blend of sound, rhythm and visualization creates a vibrant hyper reality, which is clearly demonstrated in this new video.
Moving around like an enemy of the state action figure gone mental, West sports some protective gear with those striking, semi-shade sunglasses that were designed by Jeremy Scott.
"Stronger" includes a sample of Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" from their "Discovery" album. The song itself is okay and West's rhymes are mediocre at best. Lyrcis like, "You know how long i've been on ya? Since Prince was on Apollonia. Since OJ had isotoners" are nothing genial. But West is not only a cocky egomaniac, he is also a very shrewd business man who understands that visual style is as important as aural substance in today's media age. And Hype Williams is the perfect person to deliver on that vision.
(Also, check out the speedy Mano remix of "Stronger" here.)
July 3, 2007 in Video Streams | Permalink
Comments
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this songs amazin, i gt a great alcum with loads of his up coming song on from www.cd-planet.co.uk
Posted by: kanyesdadf at Jul 3, 2007 12:39:06 PM
I dont see much creativity on this video, and why daft punk have to give their music to kanye..this sucks, i like the motorcycle scene, but i dont think this is a revolutioanry video, and the best of the song its "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" part, thank you.
Posted by: Raliuga at Jul 3, 2007 1:07:01 PM
Great video, and the tune its ok, i just can't stand kanye west.
Posted by: Carlo at Jul 3, 2007 1:30:36 PM
I really hope they release the instrumental version because I really don't care for any of the Kanye parts. lol
Posted by: Victor at Jul 3, 2007 5:04:54 PM
the visual style is basically what daft punk has been doing for the last decade.
Posted by: at Jul 3, 2007 6:53:34 PM
There's an instrumental remix out, by Diplo
Posted by: Ricou at Jul 3, 2007 10:15:52 PM
Not really liking this very much. sounds like a weak mash-up that you'd hear played by an "experimental" hip-hop dj
Posted by: mik at Jul 4, 2007 1:18:43 AM
This is too much for Kanye jeje, this guy and her ego its so stupid, i really prefer tha original daft punk version,
Posted by: Giovanni at Jul 4, 2007 1:51:01 AM
I said his, his ego hehe sorry 'bout that je
Posted by: at Jul 4, 2007 1:34:24 PM
It is not true that this video "raises the bar in video cinematography." There have been hundreds of music videos by now that are superior to this one in terms of cinematography.
Posted by: mrteeny at Jul 4, 2007 5:00:14 PM
Matchstik was born in Fort Camble, Kentucky and raised in Dothan, Alabama. At age nine, Matchstik’s parents separated and a few months later his father attempted suicide. Matchstik’s father, who was formerly a soldier in the United States Army Reserves, abandoned Matchstik’s family, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings on her own.
Without a father figure in his life, Matchstik found a home in the streets with drug dealers. It wasn’t long before Matchstik himself began selling cocaine. At age 13, Matchstik had his first run in with the law. Matchstik had his second arrest at age 14 for possession of crack cocaine.
Thereafter, Matchstik joined forces with the local king pin, who also happened to be his mother’s boyfriend son. From the ages of 13 through 16, Matchstik and the local king pin worked together moving 3 to 4 kilos of crack cocaine per week.
Then, after his third arrest at age 16, Matchstik realized he had to turn his life around. Matchstik left the life of dealing behind, dropped out of high school and passed his G.E.D.
He also went on to attend college, and ultimately joined the Navy at age 20. After completing four years of service in the Navy, he decided to leave the South and follow his musical aspirations on the West Coast. Matchstik is now living in Los Angeles, California where he is pursuing a career in music.
His energetic and innovative beats, witty rhymes and clever choruses are just what the Hip-Hop industry needs. Matchstik has collaborated with numerous local artists in various locations throughout the United States ranging from the East Coast, the Dirty South, and the West Coast.
Matchstik has also opened up for Joe Buddins and Sean Paul (the Reggae Artist) in Winnipeg, Canada! Matchstik is an impressive 25-year-old who is one of America's next Hip-Hop stars. Uniquely talented, Matchstik does not only write his own rhymes but also produces his own beats.
-Matchstik
Live in the abundance, and make today your best!
www.myspace.com/matchstik
Posted by: M at Jul 6, 2007 10:16:58 PM
Definitely not revolutionary - I've seen many more edgier - more vibrant - better produced videos. And those lyrics - poor Kanye
Posted by: Feelsrite at Jul 9, 2007 8:11:46 PM
can you just enjoy a video its a good video not 2 mention kanyes awsome shades i want a pair of those. JUST ENJOY THE VIDEO DONT COMPLAIN IF U HAVE 2 COMPLAIN THEN DONT WATCH! and kanye is a hoss
Posted by: will at Jul 23, 2007 1:37:13 AM
the song is fine, the problem is Kanye West...there is something about him that just doesnt spell star!
Posted by: Alexander at Sep 12, 2007 5:55:49 AM
But Daft Punk also sampled
http://p1.tradebit.com/usr/palmsout/pub/3002/Cola-Bottle-Baby.mp3
Posted by: I dont like Kanye at Sep 14, 2007 11:44:29 AM
