A few days ago, popular video director Sasha Vybz stirred the internet when he suggested that Magazine, a visual he shot and cut for artiste Zex, might be the biggest music video of 2021.
Sasha Vybz is an authoritative figure on visual excellence and cinematography. However, most critics took Sasha’s declaration with a pinch of salt given the fact that he could have favored himself since the music property was filmed by Sasha himself.
Nevertheless, Sasha Vybz’ statement is valid. The video can comfortably claim a spot among the most fascinating visuals the industry has offered this year.
Sasha’s craft has been on steroids lately as he has been further announcing himself on the continent with premium brand Guinness, fishing him out to be a part of the exceptional talents representing Uganda on its Black Shines Brightest campaign.
Elements of Nigerian videographer Clarence Peters can be noticed in Sasha Vybz’ offerings time and again, and for Magazine, it was no exception.
I am not certain the videographer admits to picking inspiration from the Nigerian guru, but Magazine, looks to have subtle stylistic and artistic inspiration from Kilometer, a Burna Boy song, whose visuals, shot by Clarence Peters, can pass for the best visuals of the African continent this year.
Real recognize real.
Moving forth, Sasha employs a futuristic camera stylistic effect, where he projects Zex from an extreme fish-eye lens effect.
This makes for a spectacular opening, with Zex, in company of a misbehaving vixen, clutching a big fat spliff on the immaculate lawns of a golf course.
Sasha, however, makes a very solid mark when he incorporates local matatus (taxis) and old model Subarus in crisscrossing motions with the star of the moment, Zex, in the thick of the proceedings.
When it was declared that artists mirror society, Sasha took the assignment personal.
The video however, does not come without flaws.
The scene in which Zex bounces off a vixen’s bunda seems to come in bad taste and the director seems to fail at keeping Zex incoherent character throughout the four minutes.
The final dance scenes between Zex and the vixen seem to be uncoordinated and the unwelcome spontaneity seems to kill the artistic coherence.
The video is as well filled with many scenes that Sasha could have excluded, to prevent the visual from appearing a bit cluttered.
Do I think magazine is the best video this year? Only time can tell as the year has some extraordinary efforts from the likes of Azawi (My year, Ache for you), who is also a strong contestant for the top spot.
Nevertheless, without a doubt, Magazine contests very fiercely. Spectacular effort. 3.5/5.