Shabazz Palaces - Black Up

What this video is

Released in tandem with Shabazz Palaces' debut album Black Up (Sub Pop, June 28, 2011), this short film arrived at a moment when experimental and abstract hip-hop was being critically reappraised as a legitimate avant-garde form. The album received a Metacritic score of 83/100 ('universal acclaim') and was cited as proof that hip-hop 'still has an audacious progressive fringe' (NYT). Kahlil Joseph's visual approach…

Why it matters

A landmark of the album short film format within experimental hip-hop, predating the widespread adoption of visual albums. Demonstrates the convergence of music video, art cinema, and gallery installation practice. Kahlil Joseph's direction here established a visual grammar — impressionistic…

The director

Born 1981 in Seattle, WA. American filmmaker, music video director, and video artist. Studied television production at Loyola Marymount University. Formative mentorships under Malik Sayeed, Arthur Jafa, Melodie McDaniel, and Terrence Malick. Won Grand Jury…