S. Samuel
R&B hitmaker Ryan Leslie has shared his reaction to Erykah Badu's new "Window Seat" music video and explained why there is a thin line between lewd and artistic.
Leslie thinks that Badu should open up more about the video’s inspiration.
“I followed the Twitter feed and her saying that the naked God is our purist God and if you have a problem with nudity, etcetera,” said Leslie. “There’s overtones of indecent exposure and the legalities of it, but I would want to know from Erykah exactly when she saw the Matt and Kim video, what inspired her to attach this video to the ‘Window Seat’ song, you know? I’m curious…The message [brings] some insight to the video. I just felt like there’s a lot more. I know some people make that argument, ‘Oh, is it artistic or is it just some lewd publicity stunt?’ I think it’s artistic, and it’s very serious artistic risk. So when someone takes that type of artistic risk, I’m interested in the discussion.” (VIBE)
Badu’s video also caught the attention of early 20’s rapper Bow Wow.
“I jus gotta new crush. its @fatbellybella (Erykah Badu) she is too fine in her new video. Man if i was jus 10 yrs older. 🙂 look sexy,” he wrote Sunday (March 28) evening. “#iknewitwaslove when i saw @fatbellybella New video “Window Seat” @IAM_BART bro i know she can put me up on game. i could learn from her. she a have me reading and learning sh*t about life im so down. gnr” (Bow Wow’s Twitter)
The video’s director Chike broke down the underlying theme behind Badu’s visual earlier this week.
“It was also to tie [the JFK assassination] in,” Chike added. “He was assassinated there for what reason? There were reasons for his assassination that dealt with him doing things that went against the norm for positive reasons. People try to assassinate your character when you try to step against the grain. That’s where the gunshot in the video came. Also, she was inspired by the Matt and Kim video [for ‘Lessons Learned’], where they did something shocking in the end. I’ve actually been seeing way more positive reactions than I have negative reactions. That’s cool to see, just in the times today. I feel like five years ago, it might have been different. Society has grown, so we accept something like this more than normal, than we usually would.” (MTV)
After debuting online last weekend, Badu went on Twitter to address her fans’ feedback.
“i was petrified while shooting this video … but liberation began to set in .i conquered many fears in that few moments . i am greatful,” she wrote Saturday (March 27) evening. “we are ALL guilty of groupthink we have all been VICTIMS of groupthink @ShugaAnnSpyce no closed set . no actors . everything was real . window seat video notes: had intended to direct this vid alone. after working w/ coodie and chike and bouncing thoughts i asked them to join RT @TravlrStone: @fatbellybella “Window Seat” was an unbelievable moment in vulnerability and liberation. That took bawlz. @SaskiaChanel my views are condition,thus pointless .i am encouraging thought thru correct definition of #groupthink in its original intent @SaskiaChanel i make no claims , i am not qualified .William H. Whyte coined the term in 1952, in Fortune magazine . this term #groupthink intellects get in here . what are the pros and cons of shooting this type of video ? www.erykahbadu.com RT @Amadii: @fatbellybella the Kennedy association .i did’nt expect u to get shot,but the video appears 2 be about character assassinati …” (Erykah Badu’s Twitter)
Check out Erykah Badu performing “Window Seat” down below:
