Plies, Durand Bernarr, Roc Marciano, And More Drop New Music Videos
VIBE recaps this week’s music video releases.
YouTube Screenshot; Photographer: @eltonandersonjr; YouTube Scerenshot
Artists add creative visuals to deeply personal tracks in their latest music videos. Rappers and singers alike take centerstage as the focus of both refreshing and familiar narratives. From colorful parks to gritty streets, this weeks visuals offer a variety of themes from a wide range of talent.
Flyana Boss and Plies have fun in their party-ready music videos while Saba and Babyface Ray explore their respective journeys.
Durand Bernarr, Mello Buckzz, Roc Marciano, and more all released music videos this past week. Read below for VIBE’s recap.
Flyana Boss – “Skateboard”
Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot
Flyana Boss brings their colorful energy to the skatepark in the music video for “Skateboard.” The explicit, flirtatious track asks all the h*es to say “heyyyyy” as the duo dances and raps throughout in the sunshine. “Skateboard” comes from their five-track EP This Ain’t The Album issued in March 2024.
“This is a statement piece from us to just say, ‘This ain’t the album.’ In this era, we are feeding fans with more music. We’ve gained so many fans in the past eight or nine months, and these are the songs we’ve been working on during that time. And we want to give it to the people!” detailed the group to Wonderland.
Durand Bernarr “Unknown”
Image Credit: Photographer: @eltonandersonjr
Durand Bernarr takes center stage in the “Unknown” music video. In the visual, directed by Faith Joyvon, the vocalist, surrounded by roses, delivers a captivating performance of the mid-tempo track. In full, it is described as spotlighting “the rising star’s exasperation and fragility fueled by his love interest’s reluctance to commit.”
“Unknown” is the lead single from the singer’s forthcoming EP, arriving nearly two years after his second album, Wanderlust.
Saba and No ID Feat. Madison McFerrin, Ogi, and Jordan Ward – “head.rap”
Image Credit: photo credit Drew Ayumi
Saba and No ID enlisted the talents of Madison McFerrin, Ogi, and Jordan Ward for “head.rap,” a creative and catchy ode to Black hair and the complex stories behind it. In the music video, directed by Ian Lipton and Saba, multiple textures and styles of Black hair are on display.
“head.rap” comes ahead of the Chicago duo’s highly anticipated joint album From the Private Collection of Saba and No ID.
“There’s a lot of stories that I haven’t told yet. There’s a lot of beats I haven’t rapped to,” said Saba to WWD of the album. “There’s a lot that I haven’t gone after yet in my career. What I’m experiencing now working on this collab project is that I’m able to challenge myself to write in ways that I haven’t, and tell stories that I haven’t, and really explore myself and the stories that I would even want to tell.”
Mello Buckzz – “Skittles”
Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot
Mello Buckzz takes it to the block in the official music video for “Skittles.” Directed by Sergio Esparza and Kane Fields, the visual finds the Chicago rapper deep in her Telfar bag, pulling out everything from the colorful candy mentioned in the song’s title to money and weapons.
“I’m hot as hell and sauced up, like a chicken wing,” raps the rising musician as she eats the dish covered in what appears to be her midwestern hometown’s famous mild sauce.
Finesse2Tymes Feat. Youngboy Never Broke Again – “Traumatized”
Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot
Finesse2Tymes and Youngboy Never Broke Again teamed up for the track “Traumatized.” The music video, directed by the lead rapper himself and shot by Bornwinner, sends a message to “Free YB” in the text featured at the end. The visual itself takes place in the woods. Armed and ready, Finesse2Tymes, and his crew sport camouflage clothing as they are prepared for whatever comes their way.
Roc Marciano – “LeFlair”
Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot
Roc Marciano has released the official music video for “LeFlair.” Directed by himself and Max Priest, the visual finds the rapper with producer The Alchemist in and out of the studio. The track comes from Marciano’s Marciology album. Released earlier this year, the 15-track project boasts features from Larry June, Jay Worthy, Flee Lord, and more.
Duckman and Black Soprano Family Feat. ElCamino – “Ghetto Gospel”
Signed to Black Soprano Family Records earlier this year, Duckman has released the official music video for “Ghetto Gospel” featuring ElCamino. Directed by Tony Deniro, the visual is Shot & Edited By: Foundation Productions. In the clip, the Alaska representative and his peers contemplate life’s rights and wrongs.
“Ghetto Gospel” comes from Duckman’s B$F debut Black Soprano Eskimo. Issued last month, the 10-track project features Benny The Butcher, Sauce Walka, Rowdy Rebel, Skilla Baby, and more.
Darkoo Feat. Dess Dior – “Favourite Girl”
Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot
Nigerian-born, British musician Darkoo drops the official video for “Favourite Girl” featuring Dess Dior. With a cameo from Jayda Cheaves, the visual finds the artists enjoying a tropical escape as the Lumidee-sampled track provides the soundtrack.
Plies – “Pop Yo Sh*t”
Image Credit: YouTube Screwnshot
Plies exits a private jet ready to turn up in the “Pop Yo Sh*t” music video. “This One Of Dem 1’s!!!!” writes the Hip-Hop artist on X of the track. In the visual directed by Omar The Director, the Florida rapper sports a crispy white t-shirt and does exactly what the song title demands.
“Paid three grand for my bi**h hair, ni**a that’s a sew-in,” boasts the 47-year-old as he dances around the microphone.
Babyface Ray – “Glory”
Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot
Babyface Ray crosses a metaphorical finish line claiming first place in “Glory.” Directed by Kardiak Films, the black-and-white music video finds the Detroit rapper driving around in a luxury sports car, highlighting late nights and early mornings from the studios to the streets.
“Glory” comes as Babyface Ray announces a label partnership with his label Wavy Gang and EMPIRE.
“I appreciate the partnership with Empire. We have been partners for the last couple of years and I’m excited for the next chapter with them & my label Wavy Gang Entertainment,” explains the rapper. “I appreciate the team over there. Ghazi, Nima, Tina, Ari and everyone who has had an impact on my career. It’s time to embark on this chapter.”
Nino Man And Dave East – “The Essence”
Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot
Nino Man and Dave East team up for “The Essence” music video. The black and white visual, directed by Nick Sheehan and Dom Bruno, finds the two rhymers using props and special effects to emphasize their lyrics. The track is featured on Nino Man’s album 30 Lenox Ave released on Friday (May 3).
Kamaiyah – “No Pressure”
Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot
Kamaiyah enjoys an intimate night in the “No Pressure” music video. From a champagne-fueled bubble bath to a dazzling strip club, the rapper enjoys her own company. The track comes as the rapper recently wrapped the Another Summer Night tour. “No Pressure” follows “Can’t Lose” released last month.
Tems – “Love Me Jeje”
Image Credit: Tems
Tems has released the self-directed video for the song “Love Me Jeje.” The visual features Seyi Sodimu, who inspired the single, and pays homage to her childhood and upbringing in Lagos, Nigeria. “Love Me Jeje” comes from the singer’s debut album Born In The Wild, due soon.
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