Even before West Coast OGs of Hip Hop got together and literally passed the torch to K.Dot it’s been clear the energy behind him’s been blessed. Now we’re in “the next episode” of his run with To Pimp a Butterfly and are the blessings even clearer? Maybe the case as Director X Speaks On 2Pac Connection to Kendrick’s “King Kunta” Video!
Besides being a chart success already it’s been noted how much of a ‘homecoming’ Kendrick’s new album is–not only in the promo around it and in the funk, jazz and instrumental elements in the music, but now also visually. Vlad TV reports Director X Speaks On 2Pac Connection to Kendrick’s “King Kunta” Video and describes what elements were Kendrick’s idea, what the drive behind it was and why it’s a full circle with the one Makaveli:
“From what I understand they went in wanting to recreate the “Still D.R.E.” video, which is like a trademark for West Coast visuals,” he said. “The guys are all friends. The girls [in the backseat were] cast, but with the neighborhood in mind. It’s a hood video. We wanted girls who looked like they belong, girls that look good but not straight-up models, real girls. And as you saw those girls are definitely thick, definitely have a few moves.”
Kendrick Lamar has been vocal about the (epic) memories of seeing 2Pac and Dr. Dre shoot videos in Compton and him being right there on set as a kid. Director X Speaks On 2Pac Connection to Kendrick’s “King Kunta” Video and notes it was K.Dot’s idea to shoot in front of the closed down Compton Swap Meet, also precisely because it was there he once saw Tupac and as and kept that memory close as a special one.
“I’d heard [the story about a young Kendrick seeing ‘Pac at the swap meet], but I don’t know anything definitively. We went there really just to keep with the West vibe. I mean we knew that Wal-Mart bought it, but once we got there and saw it’s actually closed, it became this kind of big going away party.”
Surely anyone with a physical 2Pac memory has never forgotten it and that lasting effect is why the now on-hold but still in production 2Pac biopic is highly anticipated. As for what Director X Speaks On 2Pac Connection to Kendrick’s “King Kunta” Video, hate it or love it Kendrick may be giving a new generation of kids their own special Hip Hop memories.
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