Where to begin with Kanye’s daring new video? Directed by Spike Jonze, “Flashing Lights” is yet another fantastic voyage into the darkest depths of the rapper’s royally complicated psyche. It’s more of a short film than a traditional music video, really; one blogger has described it as “Eminem’s ‘Stan’ meets Fatal Attraction,” which is fair enough. Watch it below, then click through to the jump, where I’ll go all Gabriel-Byrne-in-In-Treatment on Yeezy and try to parse this thing’s hidden subtexts.
Huh?! Let’s review: The video opens on a shot of a beat-up car in an empty desert. A statuesque woman gets out of the car,walks a few yards, strips down to her lingerie, and sets her doffed clothes on fire. She then goes back to the car and pops the trunk to reveal a bound-and-gagged Kanye. She kisses his tied-up face briefly, withdraws an enormous shovel, and viciously stabs it into the trunk over and over again — but the camera has panned away at this point, so we can’t see what effect this is having on poor Ye. And then it just ends, mid-song!
It’s definitely a lot more out there than any other promotional material you’re likely to see from a multi-platinum pop star this year. For that reason alone, it’s a very compelling viewing experience. But what does it all mean? I’m tempted to read the off-screen victimization of Kanye’s body as some sort of metaphoric self-punishment for the standard rap-video objectification of the female character’s body in those opening shots — a vivid way of turning the tables on a cliché. Then again, this isn’t the first time Kanye’s played with images of his own violent martyrdom. Or could his in-trunk demise be some sort of dream-logic flashback to his near-fatal car crash?
Then again, maybe it’s just a meaningless stunt to try to stir upsome controversy. Any of you interested in helping me parse this strange little clip, or am I just overthinking this?
Has Kanye ever said anything that made you say, “That guy’s got a head on his shoulders”? You’re overthinking it. Catchy riff on the synthesizer, though.
Nobody has commented yet? I saw the video earlier today, and frankly, I like it. I was no West fan, but no one can deny the likability of “Stronger.”
Back on topic, though… the video is a brilliant interpetation of the lyrics, where West describes all the things his girl likes, how much she likes to show off, and then apparently humiliate him by leaving after all he has done for her.
Frakly, in a world of rapidly declining CD sales and slashed budgets at traditional labels, putting a video like this brazilliamce by Jonze is genius.
Kinda arty, kinda poppy, all pubby.
A definite thumbs up from this gal, hip-hop purists be darned.
Is this a teaser? Kanye has this posted on his blog also, so I’m guessing no. What happened to the last minute of the song? Also, the preview picture he offered up months ago is nowhere in this video.
If this really is the entire thing: 1 – There’s nothing spectacular about it! 2 – I do give him props for, I’m certain, going against what the studio wanted.
I thought Kanye was trying to convey what’s it like to have a demanding girl in his life and how he literally feels trapped in his life…definitely an original idea for a video, and it makes people talk, which is exactly what he wants!
Dan – Um, yes in fact he has. Maybe he’s never been totally “sane” but he has done plenty of stuff that goes beyond the exterior surface and continues to be one of the most intelligent people in music right now. So to dismiss him of any deeper meaning is not fair to me
I’m totally getting obsessed as I was first disappointed but now I find the whole thing to be fantastically creepy. I don’t know what I think! But it is exciting that a music video has got this reaction from me. I’m just sad the song had to get cut so much since it is one of the best on the album
I had originally thought the video was taking so long because he intended to give us a great deal of lighting & special effects due to the nature of the song’s title. But then when the clip popped up online last night, I’m like its ONLY 2:50? Where is Kanye at the 1:25 mark? Where’s Dwele? And then when she pops the trunk, I’m like WHOA. But seriously, this video doesn’t look like it took long to film or even write, so did he wait BECAUSE he announced his Glow In The Dark Tour dates? Or did he scrap whatever video treatment he originally had and went with this because he was in a darker place after the death of his mother? I mean, I’m sure we’ll never know, but due to the grisly nature of this video, I DOUBT Mtv will be nominating it for a Video Of The Year Award like they did for “Stronger” last year. I’d LOVE to know the story behind the concept though. Hopefully, things will be brighter for the next clip for “Homecoming” with Chris Martin.
let me quantify myself. I’m not rap artist lover, I can’t understand half of what they say…blame my generation or my age, whatever….I’m just now getting around to KW and while he’s a little cocky, his cockiness has gotten him this far so it doesn’t bother me…about the video…intriguing…I kept asking — how did she get that body? Who is she? not — what’s the video about? It looked like a young Pam Greer from her Cleopatra Jones days….anyway, I think it’s just a part one of a longer story…he’ll probably do a R.Kelly and do a sequel…but it is gloriously photographed…you can guess I’m into film.
it’s just a music video, dont know what all the fuss is about. One other thing, why censored the part where she is pouring the gasoline???
I hate to be a know it all, but Tamara Dobson was Cleopatra Jones and Pam Grier was Coffy/Foxy Brown. I know, they’re hard to tell apart:)
Its well done but derivative. Much like the rest of the album it just rips of late 90s dance music, albeit really well. If this were a video for anything other than hiphop no one would think twice.
Not to be a hater, I love Kanye, and am glad he has influences outside of hiphop.
Good point, Nick. Well said. Spike Jonze makes great music videos, though. Look at the vids that he’s done with Björk if you want proof.
Just because a car is dusty doesn’t mean that it is “beat-up.” That is a new Ford Mustang.
Total Genius Simple New Awesome Powerful Deep Cool Can’t wait to see what everyone else thinks of the video
Thank you Fatima….but doesn’t she look like a young Pam or Tamara?
I absolutely love this video! To me, this is like Kanye’s mea culpa for the ridiculously overdone circus act videos he’s done like “Touch the Sky” and “Stronger.” It’s great that he and Spike realized less is more: in this case, all they needed was a car, a shovel, and only 3 camera shots. The first thought that came to my mind as well was that the woman was getting revenge for every woman ever featured in a rap video (kind of like Madonna’s infamous “What It Feels Like For a Girl” video from a few years back). So far this video and Feist’s “I Feel It All” are my favorite of ’08.