Who doesn't love a bit of Felix Jaehn? He's one of the rising DJs that we have all become addicted to. This one track is one of our favourites because it is spreading the message of how we all need to be ourselves in this world. This was released officially on 9 February 2018, the date I have backdated this blog post to, making this a new release. I am so far behind on my blog that I am not happy about it, but I plan to put in the work and catch myself up. It will happen, even though it does feel like an impossible task. This music video isn't as great as the song itself, though. Watch Marc E. Bassy perform this track to the camera as various shots show off people being themselves in this music video for Felix Jaehn's song "Cool" that also features Gucci Mane.
Felix Jaehn, real name Feliz Jähn, launched onto the music scene with a cover and has since managed to build up his profile within the DJ world as well as the music world. This is his first release of 2018 and was followed up with his album - which was released the following week. It's a great promotional lead single, but it didn't help to promote his album more than any of his previous single releases. It just lacked promotion that this song really needed since the content is exactly what we need out in the world. The song features Marc E. Bassy, real name Marc Griffin, who has been building up his career in the past couple of years. He has collaborated with G-Eazy a few times and has had one hit international single. He's definitely got this potential around him which suggests that a few bigger hit singles will be released by him, no doubt. There's also a feature from Gucci Mane, real name Radric Davis, who is definitely the American rapper we're all keeping our eyes on. He launched internationally as the feature on Rae Sremmurd's "Black Beatles" and has ever since made his name known globally. He continues to be a prominent force in music, so this team-up should've been a worldwide hit, it just wasn't. "Cool" was written by Felix Jaehn, Scott Harris, Rick Markowitz, Micah Premnath, Radric Davis, and Jonas Jeberg.
Directed by Drew Kirsch, this music video doesn't go anywhere. It's a pure performance piece that attempts to showcase Marc E. Bassy, but it's so disappointing as a complete whole. There are scenes of Felix Jaehn in the background, but the focus is on Marc E. Bassy.
Now, this wouldn't normally get on my nerves, I'm all for artists promoting themselves, but they really need to be comfortable in front of a camera and be able to send their performance vibes to the audience at home. No matter if it's a dance song, a country song, a rap song, a jazz song, a classical song, a metal song, an instrumental song, or a pop ballad. Marc E. Bassy is lacking performance. There's nothing that interests me into watching him sing the song.
The music video starts off with Felix Jaehn talking in his own language, with English subtitles at the bottom, which says: "It is so important to be authentic and just to be true to yourself. It does not matter who you are how you look or what clothes you wear as long as you are authentic. The moment you are acting and trying to be someone else is when you really aren't cool." What a way to open a video, especially one that has a brilliant song with a deep meaning, like this one; well, until the video fails to do or go anywhere.
There are various characters in this, which suggests that maybe there's a bigger music video behind this and it has been stripped back or the narrative has been edited out; as these stories aren't something that we are capable of following in this visual. Marc E. Bassy takes up the majority of the scenes and his presence isn't addicting or engaging. He loses most of the audience.
Overall, this music video could've been a hell of a lot better, if it had been done right. Instead, it just fails overall. Felix Jaehn may have stated that this is his favourite music video yet, and we stand by his opinion as the song and visual does suggest that people should be authentic to themselves and be who they really are, yet at the same time it's completely lacking and just isn't something we want to watch again and again.
Little Mix wasn't the only girl group to drop a new music video, Fifth Harmony has also done so too. Although I much prefer "Power" over "Down" any day of the week, nonetheless this is definitely growing on me. This is their first release as a four-piece group after Camila Cabello left to pursue a solo career. The song is apparently a transitional single as we should expect a new style with their new album, although I really believe this song leaves so much more to be desired. I was hoping big things from these girls, especially after all the versions of their songs without Camila Cabello's voice, but this one single just didn't live up to the expectations I had. Watch Fifth Harmony perform in a motel parking lot alongside Gucci Mane in this music video for "Down", which is the first single to be cut from their upcoming third studio album.
Fifth Harmony are a four-piece girl group consisting of Normani Kordei, Lauren Jauregui, Ally Brooke, and Dinah Jane Hansen. They were formed as a five-piece on The X Factor (US), coming third overall; they have gone on to become the most successful contestant from all three shows of the series. After two albums, Camila Cabello left the group to pursue a solo career, leaving many fans worried the girls would split; instead, it made them stronger and they all manage to take the spotlight in this new song and music video. They have also kept their name, regardless of the fact that there is now four members instead of five. I'm hoping they manage to prove that they still can continue as a four-piece. The featured artist is Gucci Mane, real name Radric Davis. He is an American hip-hop artist, mostly known for the featured collaboration on Rae Stremmurd's song "Black Beatles". He has 10 studio albums behind him and has definitely been a slight force in the American hip-hop music industry; his longevity proves that you can make it if you don't give up. The song is a surprising collaboration, but it works perfectly for the summer; I'm totally ready to get down in an open-air club to this song! "Down" was written by Joshua Coleman, Radric Davis, Dallas Koehlke, and Jude Demorest.
Directed by James Larese, the music video sees the girls arrive at a motel and walk up the stairs to their respective rooms all whilst Gucci Mane introduces the song. This is the entire location of the music video and it seems like it has not been a high budget and it seems really simple; but as usual, the girls a fierce and bring it completely.
There's full-on choreography in the parking lot; nothing new for these four girls. They nail everything in-sync and it's completely polished. However, they don't look like they're having fun, more like they're just doing their job. This is something we keep seeing from these girls and we want something much more expressive from them. It may be the dance sequence that they've been given to perform.
As for Gucci Mane, he doesn't really take the spotlight fully because the girls tease us whilst being in a pool or hot tub. He's slightly memorable as he is on the steps or against the wall, and because he switches the song down; but, it just comes off a bit lacklustre.
Overall, this music video and the song doesn't work. We expected big things from these girls and they didn't live up to them. Instead, we get a transitioning single which is a total grower, but it'll be too late by the time we all love the song; and, a simple, done-before music video that doesn't go anywhere and doesn't relate to the song. I hope they recover with a follow-up single and a music video that blows our minds.
It's Thursday Revisit time, and I thought I had cocked it all up. I went through every artist I have reviewed this week, and none of them had released anything more than five years ago, apart from Inna, but I've reviewed all of hers; until I realised Gucci Mane was a featured artist on Rae Sremmurd's track "Black Beatles"; and so, I had to do one of Gucci Mane's old songs. Since this is the one that has charted on the UK chart, why not? Gucci Mane teams up with Usher who is hosting a party, but the rapper isn't up to it after parting ways with his girl. Watch some jealousy sparks in this "Spotlight" music video.
Gucci Mane, real name Radric Davis, has been going for years, but it isn't until he teamed up with Rae Sremmurd for track "Black Beatles" that he gained global chart success; even if the song is only known as the Mannequin Challenge song. He has previously charted a number of times, in his early career in the US; however, this is the only song that charted in the UK by him. The reason it charted may have something to do with Usher. He is the featured artist on this track, real name Usher Raymond IV. If you don't know who he is, he has been killing it for years. Global success all over; hence why this track charted in the UK because he was at the height of his fame then, and still is. This song was written by Radric Davis, Usher Raymond, and Jamal Jones.
Directed by Benny Boom, the music video also has cameos from Nicki Minaj (before she became famous), and Eddie Murphy's daughter: Bria Murphy.
The opening creates a narrative which sets up the performance piece, ending full circle. We watch as Usher urges Gucci Mane to come to his party, but the rapper isn't feeling up to partying as he is upset. We learn that he and his girlfriend has split up.
Usher wins him over, naturally. This is where the performance piece kicks in, and we see Usher doing his thing. Gucci Mane and Usher are a great duo, one we wish will happen again. They have a close energy, that has a lot of pumped up vibes.
We see some old dance moves, that is better left off in the 00's; although, I guess dabbing has been adapted from one certain move clearly shown in this music video.
Nicki Minaj can clearly be seen talking to Gucci Mane, which flits a whole lot of jealous looks from Bria Murphy, who we later work out is Gucci Mane's girlfriend, that he had just split up with. The ending sees him rushing out to her and they make it up.
Overall, the music video has a brilliant narrative and an energetic performance. What more can we ask for? It's relatable, interesting and story-focused. It works well but doesn't really grip the audience all that much. It's great to watch, and totally gets kudos for not putting a bunch of provocative girls in the performance piece. Nice one!
Taking a look at the UK Top 10 reveals this song as the only one with a music video that I haven't reviewed. Clean Bandit is still at the top with "Rockabye" that features Sean Paul & Anne-Marie; they are totally fending off this climber, which has become an overnight sensation all thanks to the Mannequin Challenge, where this song is usually used as the backing track. Rae Sremmurd collaborates with Gucci Mane in this pure performance music video with literal lyric visualisations throughout.
Rae Sremmurd is an American duo consisting of Swae Lee and Slim Jxmmi. They have really done a number with this song, with thanks to the Mannequin Challenge, this song has skyrocketed up the charts around the world, probably thanks to people attempting the Mannequin Challenge, no doubt. They have previously released a number of singles and two albums, all of which haven't impacted the charts as much as this song alone has. They have been more of a hit in the US over the past couple of years, but with international fame, the question on everyone's minds is if they can follow through with another hit. Featured on this track is Gucci Mane, real name Radric Davis; he is a massive US rapper, who has released a number of albums, EPs, and singles. He has worked with some of the biggest stars, and had quite a few hits back in 2009. Once again, this is possibly his biggest hit to date too. This song was written by Khalif Brown, Aaquil Brown, Radric Davis, and Michael Williams. The latter produced the song and is better known as Mike Will Made It.
Directed by Motion Family, this music video is a collection of videos that have been combined to create this intricate music video.
It is mainly a performance-based music video with Rae Sremmurd mainly seen performing in various places and stages. They clearly have a lot of energy, enough that it can be felt by all the viewers. Gucci Mane also performs in this music video, giving just as much energy and totally performing well. If anything, these guys will be amazing live.
There are some great lyric visualisations throughout, especially the smoking. It's so intoxicating that it really makes us think we're there and someone is blowing smoke into our faces. Clearly Rae Sremmurd's parties are welcome to many different people, much like the song suggests.
There is no sign of a Mannequin Challenge anywhere in this music video, which totally makes us question why this song is chosen for the said challenge. Regardless, the music video is relatable and hazy in it's own right. It's very basic, with not enough going on.
