There is a new wave of Los Angeles/South Central creatives who are contributing so much to the culture. From fashion, music, photography to videography. Los Angeles native and videographer Calmatic has blessed the world with a mini movie for Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’s Old Town Road.
You have to be living under a rock, to not have heard Old Town Road, or the controversy surrounding it. Old Town Road is a brilliant blending of country and the “trap beat” sound of the current Hip-Hop scene.
The song became an online viral sensation through the social media app Tik Tok. The song would go on to land on the Billboard Country charts, until Billboard pulled the song for “not having enough country elements.” Fans were not liking that too much.
Calmatic’s mini movie for Old Town Road does a remarkable job of blending certain time periods together. The video provides a necessary and poignant visual that helps merge components of country and urban culture, just like the song.
Veteran comedian Chris Rock makes an appearance in the opening scene, alongside one of the most visible and successful contemporary comedians, Haha Davis, which also deserves a respect nod.
The ways in which Lil Nas X lands on present day “Old Town Road” through the tunnel, is brilliant.
As Lil Nas X rides on his horse through present day Old Town Road, it was comforting and aesthetically pleasing to see how current urban culture is incorporated into the video. Shouts out to local comedian Watts Homie Quan.
One of my favorite parts is definitely the young girl “battling” Lil Nas X, as well as the scene where he races his horse against Vince Staples.
When Lil Nas X went to the swapmeet to upgrade his clothing and walked out with a fly, glammed up cowboy suit, I was proud. LOL.
Rico Nasty and Diplo also made appearances in the video.
The silent homage to Nipsey Hussle deserves another head nod. Salute to Calmatic, I’m so excited and proud, to see the upcoming projects and artistic renditions from creatives such as him, who are from the city of Angels.
