Directors Discuss The Message Of Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat” Video, “People Try To Assasinate Your Character”

Written By S. Samuel

Music video directors Coodie and Chike have clarified the underlying message behind singer Erykah Badu's controversial nude "Window Seat" visual.

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According to Chike, the video strongly imitates the assassination of former United States president John F. Kennedy.

“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)

Coodie recalled the public reaction when they were filming Badu’s video in Dallas, Texas.

“It was this redneck out there,” Coodie said. “She was yelling, ‘Put your clothes on! There’s kids out here!’ She kept going on. Then, there was people out there that was looking. I was like, ‘It’s just a freedom of expression.’ And they was like, ‘You’re right.’ This one guy said that. It was cool…She wanted to show expression. It was inspired by the Matt and Kim video. She said when she watched that, she got teary-eyed. We needed to be free too. That was her whole thing. She hopes her video can inspire people as well.” (MTV)

After debuting online over the 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)

The singer’s latest album, New Amerykah Part Two, was released today.

A number of websites will premiere each version of “Jump” exclusively throughout the month of March. Erykah Badu’s anticipated album, “New Amerykah Part Two: Return of the Ankh,” is due in stores and at digital retail March 30. (Singers Room)

Check out Erykah Badu’s “Window Seat” music video below:

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Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

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