Before reading this post, please watch the music video below if you have not already done so.
DJ Khaled - "Nas Album Done" ft. Nas
if the video link is not visible, please click here: https://youtu.be/zQhy9eE8MBg
This Friday DJ Khaled released a music video for pioneer rapper Nas and one cannot help but notice the heavy influence of Caribbean elements.
First, if you do not know who DJ Khaled is then you probably have not turned on your T.V. Radio, or Laptop in months… and you DEFINITELY are not a snap chat user.
DJ Khaled is a producer, radio personality, DJ and record label executive. He is currently most popular for elevating his career from music man to a global entrepreneur and “internet phenomenon”.
The music video stars the one and only Louie Ox a Jamaican actor best known for his role in Belly and Shottas. Louie’s contagious voice even had Khaled trying to speak a likkle patois too.
My thoughts on the Caribbean influences in the video, well at first, I was super excited because:
- The video fused three of my fave genres (Dancehall, Hip Hop & Soca)
- it added a hint of Carnival Spice
- twas shot in the beautiful island of Bahamas
- and it opened up these artists to a whole new audience (ie. it has reached almost 3 million views on YouTube in 3 days)
- Plus, I enjoyed seeing Khaled dancin' up and embracing the vibes - he always has a great spirit and positive attitude.
HOWEVER, I am super bothered that the video was posted online to Khaled and Nas’s millions of followers without crediting the Caribbean artists that were essentially being USED to make the music video more dynamic!
It kinda seems like that is the thing to do these in the music industry considering the surge of dancehall and soca music being fused by various pop and hip hop artists.
For example: Popcaan was used on the promotional release of “Controlla” by Drake but then that version of the track WAS NOT released on Drake’s “Views" album???
It is cool that these Caribbean artists are being put on display, but I would appreciate it if they were credited! Zero credits equal lots of misinformation or questions - see photo below taken from YouTube comments!!
So for awareness sake, in the video:
the opening song is “Progress” by Dancehall artist Movado of Jamaica
closing song is “Vagabond” by Soca artist Ricardo Drue of Antigua and Barbuda
Lastly the island where the video was filmed is Bahamas hence the the Carnival dancers performing in the video were wearing costumes inspired by Bahamian Junkanoo Carnival.
Cool?
At the end of the day, I am sure Khaled accomplished what he set out to do: create a buzz, start trending, and sell records. However, this topic weighed heavy on my chest so I had to say something. What are your thoughts? Do you have another perspective? Do you even care? Was Khaled unreasonable? Should it only matter how much was on the cheques (if these artist’s were even paid)?
LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS BELOW IN THE COMMENTS?
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