New Kung Fu Kenny: Kendrick Lamar returns with new video for “ELEMENT.”
After surprising fans alongside Future at the BET Awards, the Compton rap gawd delivers gripping images that reflect the struggles of African Americans in these trying times. K. Dot uses his powerful words to guide the onscreen picture as we witness a number of catastrophes, moments of rage and more.
Directed by Jonas Lindstroem and the little homies, the clip is a stunning, explosive, fiery, and bloody visual to match King Kendrick’s evocative and passionate bars.
Symbolic imagery adorns the visual from the start, when a single hand emerges from ocean blue waters. Soon, the serenity of that scene is interrupted by a fight, a man drenched in blood, and a house on fire.
Similarly striking images are on display. One second, a child is peacefully playing with an insect on the ground. The next, two men are handcuffed to one another. In one scene, a father teaches his son how to fight. In another, a man is being knocked out.
The symbolism continues, with a set of nuns dressed in white, a set of prisoners behind bars, a child playing with a toy gun, police officers conversing around their patrol car, and a man flying off a rooftop, straight towards the ground.
Kendrick appears in the video in various forms, as a silhouette, as an MC with his shirt bloody, and on a truck full of friends. Things also get violent, as he slaps one guy, chokes a man, and strikes another with a pool stick.
“ELEMENT.” is the latest single off DAMN. and follows videos for “DNA.” and “HUMBLE.” A clip for his Rihanna-assisted “LOYALTY.” smash is also expected to arrive soon.
