Meek Mill – Levels
Probably Meek Mill’s hottest single in a while, “Levels,” gets a set of visuals from possibly one of the greatest music video directors of all time, Hype Williams. Although after first watch the video was thought to have been just sliced up stock footage edited together and this came out as the final cut. But after watching a few more times and getting a full back-story on how the video came about made you appreciate the concept and work put in to making this video a lot more.
For the better insight of the video, read below what the music videos editor Tizzy Entertainment had to say about the project.
Now as someone who constantly has to see the same cliche music videos with the same uninspired footage I was intrigued by the prospect. If people want to see an artist perform, they can go to a concert. Music Videos should always serve as visual artistic expressions of the track it supports and there is no rule that says that has to include a performance.
What followed from that conversation was Hype traveling from Miami, to New York to Connecticut shooting for 8 days or so. After its initial release some tried to claim stock footage was utilized, I assure you Hype personally shot every frame (Including the muzzle flashes. We had Uzis and AR15’s full of blanks firing in our offices the last night of editing)
The resulting video is a giant metaphor both about the song and a commentary on the current state of hip hop music videos. People have said things like, “Its not a music video, it’s one big advertisement” They’re both right and wrong. Just about every music video in the last 6 to 8 years has been an advertisement. No large videos get made without corporate sponsor dollars. Hype just decided why sugar coat it? Show it for what it is and the levels it represents.
So this is what we created in the editing room. A video we knew most would hate, but most people simply don’t like change. (It should be noted the artist and label love it) Some call it different and generic in the same sentence. The ever popular, “I pictured something different for this track.” is thrown around. I can say this, Hype only puts his name at the head of music videos he feel truly stand out, and he placed his name on this. So I ask you, watch with an open mind. Pay close attention, no image is random. You may not love it and thats ok… there are after all levels to this shit.” – Tizzy