Daryl Surat of Anime World Order and I chat on AIM alot and send each other obscure links. Today I was sent a link to the following. Kanye West’s latest music video.
Entitled “Stronger”, this new song from Kanye’s forthcoming album samples-you guessed it-Daft Punk’s “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” from their album Discovery. At first, I did my best to muscle past the shock gag reflex as this seemed like the 6th sign of the apocalypse, but after a second viewing, due to the fact that I don’t actually mind Kanye’s music (and because it’s slightly catchy), something about it struck me as familiar.
Then it hit me. This is an homage to Akira.
Another blog further elaborates on this and even has side by side screenshot comparisons between Akira and the video. Check it out for yourself.
I bet the fan tantrums for this video are off the wall but I figured I’d offer my two cents so I responded. It pretty much does the job of saying what I was going to say here so I’ll let it do the rest;
First I thought this was just one of those unions that should never have happened.
Then I realized, this is a Hype Williams directed music video. Sure he did that nice Busta Rhymes music video that’s apparently “the best hip hop video EVAH!” but after that, it kinda goes downhill (IMO). My guess; he saw Akira and because “Japanese stuff is soooo cooool” he just did it just to do it.
Then again, Kanye probably is a fan and wanted to go for it (and for even wanting to do that, I give him props) but I just think he should have gone with another director. The whole thing is so disjointed. It had potential to be awesome and it just became yet another MTV hip-hop video.
Watch, this will get nominated for Breakthrough Video this year at the VMAs.
As for the song itself, I dunno it’s kinda catchy. I really have nothing against Kanye as I like some of his music. Keyword there is some. My reason for liking this song is the same logic as jamming to a song in another language. You may have no idea what they’re saying but it’s a decent tune to have playing in the background while you’re working on something.
So lesson learned: “Just because it’s from Japan, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can make a good music video out of it”.
Or is it, “Even if it is from Japan, Hype Williams music videos suck”? Either way it’s a universal truth.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have the sudden urge for a Klondike bar.
