[Video] Isaiah Toothtaker: "La Mer"
Photo by William Olguin
It’s been a long eight months since Isaiah Toothaker and Jacob Safari’s ?OTHING came out. At the time of its release, I singled out “La Mer” as the highlight of the Nine Inch Nails-sampled project thanks to Safari's production and Toothtaker's introspective lyrics. Not long after ?OTHING was released, I talked to Toothtaker about the project where he revealed that a few videos were planned to support the EP. Thanks to SPIN, the first of the ?OTHING videos was released earlier today, fittingly for the aforementioned standout, "La Mer."
The video runs counter to some of Isaiah's past videos, opting for more of a simple, minimalistic style than what we've come to expect from the rapper (especially in comparison to the amazing "Frownin'" video with Gunplay). However, while some might miss the stylistic flourishes from Isaiah's video backlog, the "La Mer" video more than makes up for with Isaiah's singular style, complete with the rap squat and a fat 30 pound gold chain; the gold motif also extends past the ever-present chain, but also in Isaiah's jewelry and curtain backdrop. No bells, no tricks, no whistles - the focus is on the music, and damn if this isn't one of my favorite Isaiah Toothtaker songs.
You can check out the video for "La Mer" below.
[vimeo id="97079676"]
[RH Interview] Isaiah Toothtaker
Photography By: William Olguin
?OTHING, the EP from Tucson rapper Isaiah Toothtaker and Wavves' former drummer Jacob Safari, was certainly something. With Nine Inch Nails serving as the musical backbone to Toothtaker's lyrical tongue, ?OTHING has become one of the Machina Muerte co-founder's best projects out of a list that spans more than seven EPs and mixtapes from the past two years alone. Through email correspondence, Toothtaker waxed poetic on the backstory to ?OTHING, his dream collaborations, the tattoo shop, Staring Without Caring, he owns in Tucson, and more. You can read the Q&A exchange over the next few pages.
[EP] Isaiah Toothtaker X Jacob Safari: "?OTHING"
Sometimes, it seems like Tuscon rapper Isaiah Toothtaker never rests. Less than a month ago, a music video for the Blue Sky Death remix of his collaboration with Gunplay, "Frownin," was released showcasing the two fronting a cult. Toothtaker isn't one to shy away from controversy or risk taking, illustrated by his previous mixtape's title, Illmatic 2, which serves as both a reference to NaS' iconic Illmatic, but also Toothtaker's acceptance and understanding of internet culture.
With his latest EP, ?OTHING, the rapper teamed up with former Wavves drummer Jacob Safari producing the tracks. However, the aforementioned controversial risk taking Toothtaker is notorious for comes in the use of unlicensed Nine Inch Nails samples used for the EP. ?OTHING combines Safari's use of dark (aren't they all?) NIN samples to complement Toothtaker's lyrics of insightful self-reflection. Safari also utilizes some extra vocal production, such as an echo effect on the "la mer" chorus that creates a medley-like sensation that reflects and enhances the chorus' lyrics themselves ("Some say it's a cycle/And then some say I'm just psycho/Like I don't know what I'm doing when I'm doing what I'm doing/I'ma ruin everything/You won't do a thing").
A little bird tells me there'll be more coming from Isaiah Toothtaker really soon. For now, listen to ?OTHING below.
[via Noisey]
[Video] Isaiah Toothtaker X Gunplay: "Frownin (Blue Sky Black Death Remix)"
Isaiah Toothtaker and Gunplay got together for a song, "Frownin." As if the amazing collaboration wasn't enough, the duo released a 12-song EP featuring nothing but remixes of the song from the likes of N8 Noface, Steel Tipped Dove, and The Hood Internet. A video directed by Baz was cut featuring the Blue Sky Black Death remix of the song. The video's narrative follows a cult preparing a birth ritual of some sorts. It's shot with retro editing that makes it appear like a VHS cassette being played back, complete with tracking lines and tape noise. You've got some pretty cool technical stuff going on, Baz.
Speaking of cassettes, a limited amount of exclusive "Frownin" cassette tapes are available for purchase in both white and gold casing that feature the original version and the Blue Sky Black Death remix for only $5.00.
http://youtu.be/k6sQfBYEwmU