Music Videos Auteuses: Tamra Davis « Feminist Music Geek

Tamra Davis; image courtesy of hulu.com

I keep meaning to shine a light on director Tamra Davis, so let’s do it. Having worked on clips like Depeche Mode’s “But Not Tonight,” she made a name for herself by working with talent on the seminal Delicious Vinyl label, directing clips like Young MC’s “Bust a Move” and Tone Lōc’s “Wild Thing.”

Soon after, she started working with folks like Sonic Youth and The Beastie Boys, and also built a family with Beastie Mike D. She’s also responsible for discovering Spike Jonze, with whom she co-directed the music video for Sonic Youth’s “100%.”

Davis would later go on to direct features like CB4, Guncrazy, Billy Madison, and Half Baked, a personal favorite. She also directed Crossroads, the cheesy but kinda enjoyably ridiculous Britney Spears vehicle. In addition, she helmed some memorable videos, including Veruca Salt’s “All Hail Me,” Hanson’s “MMMBop,” and Luscious Jackson’s “Ladyfingers.” She still works today, primarily in television, and has her own Web-based cooking show. But let’s reflect on some selected works of her grrrlriffic music video filmography.

Cher and Beavis and Butthead
“I Got You Babe”