Hotei Video Clip Diary - 5
Fifth in a series of entries devoted to Japanese superstar Tomoyasu Hotei's youtube clips. Though extensive, the collection still doesn't come close to the actual catalogue of footage that exists offline. I am trying to get through them one by one, and posting the clips that have captured my imagination.
Video clip title: HOTEI vs RIP SLYME BATTLE FUNKASTIC making
I'm picking a non-performance, non-PV video for a change. Still on the trail of 2006's "Soul Sessions", this clip shows the behind the scenes of the making of "Battle Funkastic", the collaboration a.k.a "battle" between Hotei and hip-hop group Rip Slyme. I'm interested in this footage for a number of reasons. One, I love watching my favorite artists in the middle of their creative process, and as over-the-top a performer as Hotei is, I love that the "show" persona is very distinct from the offstage persona. As a musician and producer, he is completely without flash. (Okay, except for the silver boots he has on. Can't fault a man for loving his boots!) He is a technician - he knows exactly what he wants from a track and how to achieve it. I can see how that can be very intimidating. This is greatness at work!!! He is hovering over everything that is happening in that room!!! It looks like a lock-in - nobody allowed to leave until the track is finished! It is claustro-making! They are being held hostage by a mad giant!
Hotei on bass :D
The boys from Rip Slyme are pretty young, and I love how they defer to the elder statesman during the production of this mash-up. They're always framed together, a single unit facing off against a larger presence. At the end of the clip, when the final mix is being played back, nobody says anything until The Chief goes, "Mm, OK." Relief is palpable! OMG he likes it! He really really likes it! Congratulations and claps! Good job, good job!
Click to viewVideo clip title: HOTEI vs RIP SLYME BATTLE FUNKASTIC making
I'm picking a non-performance, non-PV video for a change. Still on the trail of 2006's "Soul Sessions", this clip shows the behind the scenes of the making of "Battle Funkastic", the collaboration a.k.a "battle" between Hotei and hip-hop group Rip Slyme. I'm interested in this footage for a number of reasons. One, I love watching my favorite artists in the middle of their creative process, and as over-the-top a performer as Hotei is, I love that the "show" persona is very distinct from the offstage persona. As a musician and producer, he is completely without flash. (Okay, except for the silver boots he has on. Can't fault a man for loving his boots!) He is a technician - he knows exactly what he wants from a track and how to achieve it. I can see how that can be very intimidating. This is greatness at work!!! He is hovering over everything that is happening in that room!!! It looks like a lock-in - nobody allowed to leave until the track is finished! It is claustro-making! They are being held hostage by a mad giant!
Hotei on bass :D
The boys from Rip Slyme are pretty young, and I love how they defer to the elder statesman during the production of this mash-up. They're always framed together, a single unit facing off against a larger presence. At the end of the clip, when the final mix is being played back, nobody says anything until The Chief goes, "Mm, OK." Relief is palpable! OMG he likes it! He really really likes it! Congratulations and claps! Good job, good job!