Hype Williams videos used to be grandiose examples of the “wretched excess” Hip-Hop videos can fall into. Sometimes, especially back in his 90s heyday, he hit home runs. Unfortunately, this Kanye video for “All of the Lights” isn’t one of them.
First off, don’t watch this if you or anyone in your vicinity are prone to seizures. The bombardment of flashing lights will have you babbling like that poor reporter at the Grammys. The psychedelic visuals remains in place until we get to the lovely Rihanna. Hip-Hop and R&B’s favorite yodeler looks fantastic, but unfortunately the clips of her are sparse compared to Kanye and Kid Cudi, the latter being decked out in a red Thriller jacket. For whatever reason, Fergie sits this one out.
Since Kanye dabbled in a lot of indie films for his Runaway joint, you have to think he got some ideas for this video from Enter the Void. Compare below and judge for yourself. This is not a complete strikeout for Hype Williams. Let’s call it a pop up fly ball.
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