Former Gossip Girl actress Taylor Momsen makes sure you get the point that she's a rocker now: Smoking? Check. Porn star in the video? Check. All sorts of insinuations of inebriations and sexual indiscretions? You bet. Safe for work? Probably not. Time for the rock 'n' roll doubters to start taking Ms. Momsen and The Pretty Reckless seriously? I hope so, since there's not much further she can push the envelope without becoming Wendy O. Williams. --> watch "My Medicine"
Directing team Big TV! — directors Andy Delaney and Monty Whitebloom — walk us through two of their biggest music videos: Maroon 5 "Sunday Morning" and Lauryn Hill "Doo Wop (That Thing)."
And it should also be noted that Monty — who was kind enough to chat with us about these two gems — tells a good story.
I don't think LMFAO is sorry for anything, least of all the Party Rocking (in the house, or otherwise). But that shamelessness is what's made them one of the most recognizable pop brands of the day and this video serves to further create that LMFAO universe, bringing back song snippets, characters, product placements and styles from their previous hits. It also subtetly (who am I kidding, ain't nothing subtle here) suggests the group as a modern day Kid N Play, as they recreate that earlier crossover pop/rap duo's big screen hit House Party. What's next, a Saturday morning cartoon?
Portraiture shots of people from all walks of life and of all ages is a well-trampled music video trope, so it needs to be done really well in terms of casting, context and framing to be effective. Director Mark Pellington does it really well. --> watch "I Won't Give Up"
DJs are often framed as mad scientists or crazed inventors working alone in their music labs. "Turn Me On" takes that mythology and extends it with generous doses of steam punk and the classic Dr. Frankenstein story. David Guetta not only makes the track, but also creates Nicki Minaj, from vintage-y wires, gears and, of course, sass. As Doc Guetta's lifelike creation steps out into the 'real' world we discover that the normal people all have stiff mannequin faces and are not pleased that the brand new Nicki is a definite upgrade over them.
If his rhymes are effortless and from the heart, then why should his artwork be any different? Perhaps inspired by artist Andres Serrano — creator of the "Semen And Blood" piece that graced the cover of MetallicaLoad — Lil Wayne dips deep into a bucket of his own blood, splashing it on a scrim that separates him from guest singer Bruno Mars to create a painting that's far less abstract than you'd expect. --> watch "Mirror"
