ELEMENT Video (Explicit Lyrics)
The ELEMENT video by Kendrick Lamar is artistically powerful as well as political in its depictions. The images in the video that opens with a hand that reaches up from the depths of a body of water are surreal and poignant. There are scenes of young men fighting, a man whose face is bloodied to a haunting image of a group of children watching a house burning. It is wholly inspired by the work of icon and photojournalist Gordon Parks.
Full of violent as well as tender moments, Element serves as a riveting document to the lyrical artistry that Kendrick delivers which is evident in the chorus “If I gotta slap a pussy-ass nigga, I’ma make it look sexy.”
The video was directed by Kendrick, Dave Free, and Jonas Lindstroem.
