Mass Appeal released the trailer for Jason Goldwatch’s film “Into The Light” featuring Jay Electronica. Mysterious, colorful and a little over the top, the trailer indicates that this is a story about hope, spirituality, change and challenges. If you are not a fan of flowery and clichés, telling from the description of the movie, which you can read here, this is not for you. If you are curious and inquisitive, this seems like a uplifting story to watch unfold.

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Nas

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8. “WHOA” – Earl Sweatshirt (Directed by: Wolf Haley)

Just like the song it visualizes, this video really embodies the “traditional” Odd Future aesthetic. There’s skateboarding, pranks, cameos from several members of the Odd Future crew and all-around weirdness. The beauty of the video is that these familiar, chaotic elements are presented in perfect harmony. That isn’t an easy task.

7. “NY (Ned Flander)” – Hodgy Beats & Tyler, The Creator (Directed by: Wolf Haley)

The visuals for “NY (Ned Flander)” are the sequel to the “Rella” video. In this one, Hodgy is bald, mustachioed, overweight, and taking pills while watching large women strip on TV. This dysfunctional atmosphere is amplified by the fact that Tyler is his baby and grandpa is a predator. What’s interesting about the video is that despite its clear elements of hyperbole and camp, somehow it’s still incredibly serious.

6. ‘Trouble On My Mind’ –  Pusha T ft. Tyler, The Creator (Directed by: Decon’s Jason Goldwatch )

“Trouble on My Mind” is a cross-generational collab between Pusha T and Tyler that connects them through their shared respect for The Neptunes, who actually produced the song. This is the only video on the list that was not directed by Tyler, but it belongs here nonetheless because Tyler‘s visual flair is sublimated throughout, especially when Pusha-T comically dresses up as Tyler, crutches and all. In other words, though Pusha and Tyler are neck-and-neck on the actual song, Tyler owns this video.

5. “IFHY” – Tyler, The Creator (Directed by: Wolf Haley)

The Pharrell-assisted “IFHY/Jamba” is Tyler’s twisted version of a love song (the title stands for “I Fucking Hate You.”) The video has Tyler costumed as a life-sized doll living with his supposed true love, who is also a doll. The video centers around how they fail to live blissfully despite residing in the proverbial dollhouse. Their romance is so deformed, in fact, that even their faces, which should be perfect, are also deformed. This may all sound cynical, but Tyler seems to be speaking from an actual experience of love, so it’s actually very insightful. And the transition between “IFHY” and “Jamba” is so seamless that without the beat change, it might be unnoticeable.

4. “VCR” – Tyler, The Creator (Directed by: Wolf Haley)

“VCR” is a dark video that craftily uses suggestive imagery to represent the song’s dark content. It’s actually quite a surprise to see this video after hearing the song. Whereas the song is pure shock, horror after horror, the video is perverse, not showing anything, but hinting at everything. Tyler probably has a nice internal knowledge of horror movies and thrillers.

The post Tyler, The Creator’s Best Videos appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

“Y’all ready to see Nasty Nas?” Many fans couldn’t wait any longer today. Queens native Nas debuts the new video for his single “Nasty” off Life Is Good.  Directed by Jason Goldwatch, Nasir Jones takes a walk through his old stomping grounds in Queensbridge, giving back to his community by literally handing out everything off his back. When it comes to stepping into the booth though, Nas is straight nasty with the rhymes.

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Image by Mike Piscitelli

Ski Mask Way

Three the hard way? Yeah, it felt a lil’ like that at times. Guess the problem is I don’t really have a plan. Or, scratch that—I have one but then I change it. And probably change it again. I tinker like Grant. And you wanna know why? Well, each issue of RESPECT. is special, and not everyone is worthy of being in these pages. These other mags are disposable. But no, sir, not we.

Decisions are tough but they have to be made. Adapt and react—quickly. Thankfully, JR still believes in my vision, and this time I hired a new co-D to help me craft the creative well. You might have heard of him: Benjamin Meadows-Ingram, longtime former editing force at VIBE and one of the sharpest minds in the game. BMI and I took refuge in the Rap Radar Mansion and instituted an issue plan that I firmly believe will deliver the best-selling edition in this mag’s history.

But truth be told, it’s not about ABC stats for the kid anymore. That’s my old style. All I really want to do in 2011 is impact culture. Hip-hop culture. Our culture. No shots to any of my super disciples, but the thought of my final product resembling yours gives me the shakes and shivers. So I dig deep for something that may take longer to come to fruition. Tick tock. Fuck a shot clock. I got the game on lock. Rock with me.

Enter Eminem. Never met him, but finally got a chance to chat with Mr. Mathers and his new/old right-hand man, Royce Da 5’9”. Someone rekindled my inner rap-nerd gene; the Bad Meets Evil concept has been resurrected! We see you, Shecky Green! Who says you can’t go home again? The besties are back, and they could never be the wack. Winning!

It’s damn near impossible to find someone who hasn’t hopped on the Odd Future bandwagon at this point. So I took my caboose to Cali to check in with Clancy’s cash cow, Tyler, The Creator. This ADD lad lived up to the hype. He’s out of his mind and talented as fuck. He hates you gate-keeping bloggers so much, I must admit I’m jealous. I missed the boat on that one.

After a couple of missed opportunities, I couldn’t wait to connect with DJ Khaled. You talk about thug motivation? This dude makes me feel like I could make an album. Y’all ready for YN Records? Seriously, Miami’s favorite adopted son hit me with some nourishment at a five-star telly, and we had a long talk like two real Gs. I appreciate my Palestinian pal for his passion and sense of purpose. I would never bet against him.

I also believe in Killer Mike, who, despite a few missteps, is finally back on his path to present us with some intelligent but equally tantalizing rap tunes. From Georgia with a mind that won’t stop racing, Bigga can make you think and wanna punch somebody in his face. He’s a double threat. Ha! The outcast from OutKast? Nah, a complex artist who’s gonna last.

Nothing leaves a mark like a powerful photo and we stay true to RESPECT.’s roots. Our amazing images continue to astound and are leaps and bounds above any and all comp. Saluting the men behind the lenses, in this issue we profile Jason Goldwatch and my dude from the South, Motion Family’s Diwang Valdez. Yeah, you can rip the page and hang it on your wall, but first read the stories behind the making of those captivating flicks.

In a nutshell, you can go to hell if you think Half isn’t enjoyin’ his return to print. In fact, I’m just gettin’ started. Again. Lord knows that I know independent publishing ain’t easy, but I’m committed to making RESPECT. a true success. Check my track record—I’m pretty damn good when I put my mind to something. My goal list got a lot of red check marks on it, chump. I dare you to beg to differ.

And I double-dog dare you to assemble a better team than the aforementioned BMI, our design machine Davina, anchor Rachelle, photo-editing duo KWC and the rest of the maniacs on our masthead. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Don’t forget the period! We’re always worth the wait, we’ll carry the weight, and it’s gonna be great to see what we cook up next. Swag!

Doin’ the Lil B dance,

Elliott Wilson

P.S. I want to do Drizzy next. Shhh!

Dedication: Dany, 1; Surgery, 0.

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Directed by Jason Goldwatch.

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