Just as I think it’s important to recognize female music video directors, I think it’s necessary to acknowledge female musicians who pick up the camera and direct videos for other female artists. Tonight, I’ll focus on M.I.A., who got her start as a visual artist (she made the cover art and directed some music videos for Elastica in the late 90s). Specifically, I want to plug her music video for Baltimorean rapper Rye Rye’s “Bang” (which she also guests on). You can view it here.
M.I.A. and Rye Rye
A whole lot to love. Dancing. Lo-fi. Vocal loops. Bright colors. Two female MCs helping each other out. Female artists establishing a collaborative relationship that doesn’t strictly adhere to the mentor-protégé binary. Women of color not relying on a man to put them on. You know.
