Video SoulBounce
Ryan Leslie's 'Addiction' To Models
I've already made it known that Ryan Leslie isn't one of my favorites. So I wasn't expecting much when I saw that he had a new video out for his latest single "Addiction." I managed to avoid hearing the song featuring Cassie and Fabolous all summer -- not a small feat, mind you -- so I figured I'd finally give it a listen as I watched the clip. I'm overwhelmingly unimpressed with both. The video is a hat-tip to George Michael's "Freedom," but with all Black models shot in black and white.
However, unlike Michael who utilized the supermodels of his era and was nowhere to be found in his video, Leslie is all over this one and employs virtual unknowns. On the bright side, Cassie is conspicuously absent, which is odd since she's a model, although her warbling on the chorus can still be heard and is lip-synced by the models in the video.
At the close of the video is a quote from Ryan: "We encourage diversity in life, fashion and the arts."
That's all fine and dandy, but wake me when diversity in music videos includes women of all shapes, sizes, hues and ages and not just cookie cutter model chicks.
Tags: cassie, fabolous, ryan leslie
Comments
I know how you feel about his personality, and i tend to agree with you that he may come off a little arrogant sometimes (but graduating Harvard at 19 is no small feat) but this guy is a freakin Genius.Tthe way he creates his music and the energy and passion he appears to invoke in his creative process is truly something to behold. Okay maybe i went to far there, but this guy is pretty damn good. I would agree with you he is not a great artist vocally, but he does produce well and holds his own on a track. If you don't believe me check this out and lemme know what you think...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ix5dicdL7c
Jamaicanbwoydre | September 12, 2008 11:42 AM | PermalinkI can't believe I'm about to say this but... I didn't mind Cassie's part. Mainly because she didn't have to try and showcase her, um, talent. She just had to talk-sing two lines.
Bianca | September 8, 2008 8:37 PM | PermalinkNow Fabolous is another story.
I like the black and white imagery of the video but rail-thin Black girls with weaves in no way encourages diversity.
I really was feeling "Diamond Girl,"' but I don't mess with this kind of ish. This song is tired and it was a wrap as soon as Cassie kicked in. I agree with Butta; it's nice to see dark sistas working it in a video, but why do they all have to be size zero. You think people would start paying attention after Toccara gets a 14 page spread in Vogue and becomes the undeniably most successful Top Model contestant ever, and she wasn't even close to winning. Time's are a changing. The video industry needs to assimilate!
Nate | September 8, 2008 7:20 PM | PermalinkYes, big ups to him having the coco sistas in the vid!
coco | September 8, 2008 5:11 PM | PermalinkI should clarify and say I hate the hook of the song (i.e. Cassie's part). I'm glad she's not showing butt cheeks in this video.
DLS77 | September 8, 2008 3:59 PM | PermalinkI hate the song, but will give him some respect for using dark skinned women in his video...that's, sadly, a rarity nowadays.
DLS77 | September 8, 2008 3:53 PM | PermalinkRL's dope. Who does he sound like ? No one
Mutada al sader the king | September 8, 2008 3:43 PM | Permalink