IN DEPTH: Kevin Rudolf "Let It Rock"

Lil Wayne parties like a rockstar with labelmate Kevin Rudolf in a video that looks/sounds/feels like a multi-format smash.

Justin Francis, director: This project was unique in that the seeds of the concept were already in place before I came on-board. [The video commissioner] Jeff Panzer and [Cash Money co-founder] Slim had already begun collecting references and visuals before we even had our first conversation.

We discussed everything from The Who to Bruce Springsteen to The Kids Are Alright to a live performance of "A Milli" Wayne had done on MTV. What was immediately interesting to me was the challenge of lending classic rock iconography to a pop/hip-hop record.

The other challenge was to somehow make all of the disparate elements we discussed feel like they fit in the same piece. If you look at still frames of the video, it kind of looks like it's all over the place. But ultimately the guide was always the music itself. My main goal was to keep the imagery faithful to what was going on in the beat, no matter how incongruous each section might look in relation to the next.

Oddly enough, the lasers turned out to be the element that really brought it all together. I had the lasers sequenced to be in perfect sync with the synth pattern. And then I built the edit around how the pattern interacted with the beat. This yielded some abstract moments in the edit that I'm pleased made the final cut.

In the end I think the video works because it remains faithful to the music. We didn't fight the tune. Rather, we let the music dictate the visuals every step of the way.

--> watch "Let It Rock" or via YouTube

Kevin Rudolf f/ Lil" Wayne
"Let It Rock" (label)
Justin Francis, director/DP/editor | Jill Hardin, producer | HSI, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Jeff Panzer, commissioner

SHOT: Jonas Bros. - Philip Andelman, director

Shooting today on a beach in L.A.

artist: Jonas Brothers
song: "Lovebug"
label: Hollywood
director(s): Philip Andelman
production co: Partizan

WATCH IT: Ben Kingsley As A Minor Threat

Sir Ben Kingsley as hardcore legend Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat/Fugazi/Dischord Records fame? Perfect, since Kingsley can draw upon his Oscar-winning role as Gandhi and mix it with a little bit of Sexy Beast. The acclaimed actor recreates the indelible Minor Threat cover art, before launching into a lip-sync rendition of "Minor Threat" at a punk rock club. The video was produced as part of a series of music/movie/fashion tributes commissioned by Mean Magazine. Other gems include Kate Beckinsale conjuring the spirit of French film star Anna Karina by lip-syncing and cavorting to her hit Serge Gainesbourg collabo "Roller Girl," — original here, Beckinsale video cover here — and, coming soon, SNL star Bill Hader as Harvey Keitel in an homage to Bad Lietenant. --> watch Ben Kingsley in Minor Threat

Ben Kingsley as Ian MacKaye in Minor Threat
"Minor Threat"l)
Kashy Khaledi, director | Byron Shah, DP | X1FX, editor

BOOKED: The Hold Steady - Jake Davis, director

artist: The Hold Steady
song: "Stay Positive"
label: Vagrant
director(s): Jake Davis
production co: Kleiner, Inc
commissioner: Jill Kaplan/Skyway Productions

WATCH IT: Kings Of Leon "Sex On Fire"

Although I'd like to joke that Kings Of Leon frontman Caleb Followil is burning up with a case of the clap in this hot, sweaty clip for "Sex On Fire," it seems he's merely possessed by good old fashioned lust. Director Sophie Muller keys in on the Followil clan's Pentecostal background: Although the Kings have long since ditched their rural roots for a much more cosmopolitan and stylish look that suits their increasingly grander rock 'n' roll sound and lifestyle, they still seem to consider that natural libidinous rush as a kind of demon that takes over and makes you do bad, bad things. And no, the video doesn't depict cock. It's a hen. As in chicken. A female chicken. And apparently it gets fried. And eaten. (And as my friend Doug just joked, "They probably choked that chicken to death") --> watch "Sex On Fire"

Kings Of Leon "Sex On Fire" (RCA)
Sophie Muller, director | Grant Jue, producer | Oil Factory, production co | Jonathan Sella, DP | Sophie Muller, editor/telecine

WATCH IT: Cool Kids "Delivery Man"

Hip-Hop purists who have searched for a way to pass on the vibe of listening to cassette tapes on a boom box while wearing tight pants, can relax. The kids are going to be all right. Groups such as The Cool Kids are part of new wave of retro rappers who appropriate the look and style of rap's hey day with innovative beats and rhymes. The hip-hop duo of Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish — who have released most of their material via their Myspace page — have dropped "Delivery Man," from their full length debut, Fish Ride Bicycles. The video is a low-tech affair recalling the early days of rap video, but with a new school charm that keeps the talented crew from seeming hipper-than-thou. [review by Craig Belcher] --> watch "Delivery Man"

The Cool Kids "Delivery Man" (Green Label Sound)
Ray Tintori, director/editor | Jeff Decauter, producer | Partizan , production co

SHOT: Pitbull f/ Lil' Jon - David Rousseau, director

Lil' Jon, director David Rousseau and Pitbull on the set of "Krazy." 

artist: Pitbull feat. Lil Jon
song: "Krazy"
label: Mr. 305/The Orchard
director(s): David Rousseau
production co: Creativeseen

BOOKED: Brett Dennen - Jay Martin, director

artist: Brett Dennen f/ Femi Kuti
song: "Make You Crazy
label: Dualtone/Downtown
director(s): Jay Martin
production co: DNA

BOOKED: Jazmine Sullivan - Jonathan Mannion, director

artist: Jazmine Sullivan
song: "Bust Your Windows"
label: J Records
director(s): Jonathan Mannion
production co: DNA

NEWS: BET Hip Hop Award Nominees

BET has announced the nominees for the 2008 Hip Hop Awards, taping on October 18 in Atlanta for a Thursday, October 23 debut on the network.

The key video nominees shake down as follows...

Best Hip Hop Video:

• Common "I Want You"
• David Banner f/ Chris Brown and Young Joc "Get Like Me"
• DJ Khaled f/ Young Jeezy, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Lil Wayne, Fat Joe, Birdman and Rick Ross "I'm So Hood (The Remix)"
• Kanye West f/ T-Pain  "Good Life"
• Lil Wayne f/ Static "Lollipop"
• Snoop Dogg "Sensual Seduction"

Video Director of The Year:

• Chris Robinson
• Gil Green
• Hype Williams
• R. Malcom Jones
• Rage

Comedian Katt Williams returns as the host, and BET will be granting the "I AM HIP HOP" Icon Award to Def Jam founder and overall hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons for his contributions of outstanding significance to the hip hop community.

Full nominee list and more details at bet.com/hiphopawards...