Tag Archive for 'flo rida'

MTV’s FNMTV, I Hate To Love You

Published
by
neal
on June 19, 2008
in Music Videos
. 1 Comment

I don’t have cable. I consume media via Netflix, torrent, and various streaming sources. That said, I noticed that MTV started a new feature on Friday nights called FNMTV. Basically, Pete Wentz (the D-bag that knocked up Ashlee Simpson, hosted a segment involving a bunch of new music videos with some wrap-around filler. I am ashamed to say it, but I love the idea of getting 5 new videos to criticize at a time. It’s like a game, ‘how pejorative can I be in 30 minutes?’ I can’t wait till next week!

The new music videos are linked below along with a very brief synopsis. Honestly, I disliked all of these videos enough that I won’t waste our time with full length reviews.

Flo Rida w/ Will.I.Am - Ayer
Will.I.Am and Flo Rida do a club track with a crappy hook - in a bank. At least it’s not about strippers this time. Of note: the video girls are not up to par; I posit this video was done on the cheap - ironic considering the setting.

The Ting Tings - Shut Up and Let Me Go
It’s basically a younger (blonde) version of The White Stripes. Remember Seven Nation Army? Yeah, this is just like that. Seriously, track and video.

Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up
Carmit, Kimberly, Ashley, Jessica, and Melody - I totally get it. You wanted to be famous sooo bad that you smeared on fake tanner, took dance classes, and did a lot of crunches. And look, you totally got it! Now you get to dance in the background and compete for screentime while Nicole sings! Sofa King Great!

Snoop Dogg ft. Everlast and Willie Nelson - My Medicine
Hey Snoop - didn’t Nelly have a country crossover hit back in 2004 with Tim McGraw? Aren’t you a bit late to the party? Snoop is a pimp no matter what medium he operates in. This ‘country’ track is no exception. I have to give him cred for attempting this, but “I’d like to dedicate this record right here to my main man Johnny Cash - a real American Gangster” Are you effing serious?

Panic at the Disco - That Green Gentleman (Live)
A live performance is hardly a video - and I am fairly ignorant about this group. So, I looked up the actual video. WAY BETTER. I don’t dig the track, but the video is totally watchable.

And the coup de grace: Snoop Dogg and Panic At the Disco - Gin and Juice
E P I C   F A I L. This is as pointless and brand damaging as Snoop’s shortlived TV show. I know, I know, MTV sort of created you - but did you take a bloodoath or something requiring you to do whatever they ask?

JayZ - I Don’t Know What You Were Thinking

Published
by
neal
on February 27, 2008
in Music Videos
. 3 Comments

Just last week I noted that Flo Rida was no JayZ. That may have been a little harsh but I stand by it. However, after watching JayZ’s new video I Know, it might not be such a bad thing. Ready for the analysis? As usual our discussion will encompass the beat, video, content, and vocals.

The Beat: I didn’t like Blue Magic. I don’t like this beat either and both were produced by The Neptunes. I think Pharrell keeps the best beats for tracks where he gets a video cameo. I am remarkably unimpressed by this beat. It is too acid/downtempo (well, minus some of the bass). This shit belongs in a darkly lit lounge. And speaking of darkly lit…

The Video: Who shoots an entire video in the dark? Whatever the significance, it is lost upon me. Why even bother shooting a video if you can’t see it? Even Bjork videos make more sense than this.

The Content: According to MTV, ‘Jigga’s not just an obsession — he’s an addiction.’ Ok, I get it: JayZ’s music/lovegame is so fresh that this girl is straight fiending for it. The punchlines and metaphors aren’t top notch - but they don’t depend on namedropping either (which is good). The sexual/addiction angle is well applied and tame enough that it won’t be mutilated by radio.

The Vocals: JayZ has a great delivery and can ride beats exceptionally well. It is well documented, and I can’t clown it at all. Remember the Gray Album and how awesome that was? Yeah, me too. However, Jigga’s delivery is out of place here. The whole thing sounds like an extended guest verse on someone else’s track. I am not feeling it.

The Bottom Line: The merit of the verse is overpowered by the mediocrity of the beat and unwatchable video. Maybe someone will remix this over another beat and it’ll sound better. The only good track/video off this disc so far has been Roc Boys (And the Winner Is).

Flo Rida - I Will Not Ride Your Elevator

Published
by
neal
on February 20, 2008
in Music Videos
. 1 Comment

Flo Rida’s single Low is doing pretty well. I mean, these days having T-Pain’s vocoder-riding ass anywhere near your track seems to grant instant success. So, it shouldn’t surprise you that homeboy’s new single Elevator features non other than super producer Timbaland. As usual, I’ll give you the lowdown and examine the beat, video, content, and vocals.

The Beat: The intro piano line sounds like it was stolen from a daytime soap. Fortunately, it doesn’t last long and Timbaland promptly dispenses a Promiscuous Girl grade beat. The subtle synth line works really well against the snaps. Are you dancing yet?

The Video: Whoever styled this video has a great sense of humor. The elevator girls are well cast and the ‘hood rat’ has the best facial expressions. The dancers look like they got lost on the way to a Sir Mixalot / MC Hammer video shoot. The whole “Elevator” thing is funny without being overdone; Aerosmith would be proud. And did you catch the GMILF at the end?! Negatives: a little too much product placement (watch, Gucci bag, iPhone etc), celeb cameos (Rick Ross and like every other dude from MIA) were extensive, and too many shots of Flo Rida’s lame tattoo.

The Content: Basically Flo Rida is saying that regardless of what kind of girl you are. Golddigger, classy dyme, or hood rat - he can do you right. Does this sound like well worn territory to you? It is. Every rapper has one of these “I love all types of women” tracks. Remember Girls Girls Girls by JayZ or E.I. by Nelly? The major difference here is that Flo doesn’t use punchlines - just pop culture references like “drop that top model body.”

The Vocals: Flo can’t ride a beat like Nelly or JayZ, but, I’ll take homeboy over Akon, T-Pain, or Hurricane Chris anyday. Also, his delivery is pretty clear.

The Bottom Line: The hook is simple enough for your grandma, and maybe that’s enough to make this track a hit. A great video certainly can’t hurt either. Enjoy this one.