One eskimO ｜ Kandi ｜ Official Music Video ｜ - One eskimO ｜ Kandi ｜ Official Music Video ｜

What this video is

Released in 2009, 'Kandi' by One eskimO represents a rare cross-generational sonic tribute: the song samples soul legend Candi Staton's 1971 recording of 'He Called Me Baby,' with the title itself a phonetic homage to Staton's name. The track became a Number One AAA hit for six weeks and was named Billboard's AAA Song of the Year in 2010, yet never crossed over to mainstream pop charts — positioning it as a beloved…

Why it matters

A landmark of the late-2000s UK indie folk-pop and AAA crossover era, 'Kandi' demonstrated that emotionally resonant, sample-based songwriting could find a devoted audience outside mainstream pop channels. Its synthesis of indie rock instrumentation with vintage soul sampling anticipated the…

The director

Irish-born (1959) music video and commercial director. Began career in Dublin directing early videos for U2, then relocated to the United States. Has directed videos for Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Avril Lavigne, Paramore, Alanis Morissette, Jennifer…