In the clip, Jeezy sits down and he reads a newspaper where the headline reads, “Youth imprisonment on the rise.” The video then transition from different versions of Jeezy in a suit and in outerwear.

“Sweet life, oh my, you turn this to light,” she sings. “All the darkness, scattered out of sight / I’ve been waiting on this for some time / Now that it’s here, I’m going to be fine.”

The entire black-and-white video features Jeezy spitting lines about rising to the top and showing the problems of criminal justice reform.

“Ever since I came into this music game, I’ve tried to make motivational music, whether you’re on the corner hustling or in the corner office making power moves,” Jeezy  told CNN. “Sweet Life” is no different, but it’s a bit more of a personal track because I rap about my own trials and tribulations. I wanted this video, with Janelle Monáe, to show what could have happened to me and does happen to African Americans every day.”

“Why we worried about the Oscars? We need to be worried about what’s going on in Flint and Chicago. MLK didn’t die for shows and trophies,” he tweeted on Martin Luther King Day on Monday (Jan. 18).

Check out the “Sweet Life” video below.

The post New Video: Jeezy- “Sweet Life” ft. Janelle Monae appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

Frank Ocean has had a big week, but that hasn’t stopped him from doing what he does best: making damn good music. His latest single is “Sweet Life,” a soulful and mellifluous celebration of the beach and life produced by Pharrell. If that sounds sweet, that’s because it is. This man can do no wrong.  Listen below.

The post New Music: Frank Ocean — “Sweet Life” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.