Friday, February 10, 2006

Kanye Gets Epic For "Touch the Sky" Video, Grammy Performance

After two lackluster videos and little airplay for "Heard 'Em Say," Kanye West has turned his latest single into a major event. "So you think that 'Touch the Sky' could provide the energy to give the album a sales resurgence like 'Hollaback Girl' did for Gwen Stefani?" he asked Entertainment Weekly's Karen Valby in the February 10 issue." I would imagine so. Produced by Just Blaze and built around an Al Green sample, "Sky" is a standout on Late Registration. The sampled horns move at a furious pace while West manages to keep up, dropping lines like, "I'm tryin' to write my wrongs/but it's funny, them same wrongs helped me write the song," before the chorus hits. Lupe Fiasco (one of my current faves) drops in on the third verse.

"I know I have to come up with some out-of-the-ballpark ideas for the video. I can't miss on this one!" West told EW before embarking on the challenge. Fiasco kept us posted on what was happening through his MySpace blog: "Ok sportsfans so here is a brief description of day 2...A young Al Green, Karate Kicks, A marching band, allergic reactions to make up, Benadryl & Aloe Vera, no phoney mustache, The BoonDocks, Biggie Duets Album, Just Blaze almost setting his gloves on fire, a first-hand knowledge of how women feel in heels (NO I DO NOT DRESS UP LIKE A WOMAN) and my feet really really hurt....all in all...Godwillin The Video Is Going To Be CRAZY!!!"

The video (which was so epic, it had a trailer) premiered on MTV on Wednesday.



That same night at the Grammys, West atoned for his tacky outfit with an explosive "Gold Digger"/"Touch the Sky" medley - featuring Jaime Foxx and a marching band.



::Videos Courtesy of::
1•Chris Milk
2•You Tube

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kanye doesn't need much help. He'll be around for a long time to come.

Like him or not, he is an important artist, and he knows it.

Anonymous said...

Well said Ben. I think he is one of the most innovative and creative artists today.

Anonymous said...

I still think that outfit was disgusting.