TALKIN' VIDEOS
the latest HATE on Hip-Hop TV, Movies and Music Videos
The Roots feat. Raphael Saadiq - "What They Do"
Posted on September 22, 2005 11:43 AM
This Throwback Thursday I realized a crime had been committed.
We’ve had this segment weekly since May, yet we’ve never used one of the most pertinent videos of our time. This video came up in the Little Brother discussion earlier this week. Without further ado, I present to you The Roots’ 1996 parody “What They Do.” [watch it now]
This is the video I would have made were I a rap artist in 1996. If it weren’t done then having already fallen on deaf ears and blind eyes, I would do the shit today. Unfortunately I don’t have the television version that included the special edits and captions. They really drove home the satire, but even without them the point is easily graspable. Those of us who have seen the complete version will just have to go off of memory. The humor of the "no-logos shot," for example, is dated and sure to be lost on the viewers of today (as the logos are, in fact apparent).
I love the ass-cramp the video ho suffers as she’s poppin it poolside for the approval of Black Thought’s back. I often wondered if that ever actually happened on a music video set. If so, did the popper collapse and get her ass iced down? I’d need my p-poppers and ass-droppers to play through the pain like Patrick Ewing. You can ice the ass and knees after we’re eliminated by the Bulls, thanks.
There are some pretty obvious jabs and many of the clichés parodied are still prevalent to this day, displaying the validity and legitimacy of their gripes. This video represents the essence of “Talkin’ Videos.” Sometimes I talk shit just for the sake of talking shit… because I can… and because they pay me… (You know I just be sayin shit to get you mad.) But the general conceit of this blog we share is to help folks understand that it’s okay to criticize the imagery being forced down your throat by these loan-shark ass record companies that double-pimp us (by snatching us up off the street and cooning us on television and record… at the same time making us pay for the records). It’s not just your right to challenge shit, but it’s your responsibility as a consumer and as part of a community that is being leeched before your very eyes.
How did The Buggles say it back in the day? Video killed the radio star. Ironically, even The Roots themselves are goin’ through it today. Wait… Chill, Ron! Don’t Say Nothin’!
Give this video a long, hard look. Then go watch some TV… If anyone could find the version of this video with the captions included, shout me a holler so we can do this one up right!
Questions? Comments? Requests? Lookin for the seed in the bush? ronnie_mexxx@yahoo.com
Comments
Cot damn I love this video. If I remember correctly, Biggie was ready to murk them over the One More Chance parody (although, almost every element of the video could be attributed to a BIG joint, god bless him)...I guess the truth really hurts.
The 'gratutitous beatdown shot' was always one of my favorites, as were the captions used during the driving shots....and of course as you dutifully pointed out Ron, the 'no logos shot' is brilliant. I still remember the first time I saw blurred logos in a video, and just assumed Karl Kani was slipping in some slick curse words to his logo and somehow MTV caught his ass...sadly it wasn't true....
I'm on the hunt for the version with the captions, as obvious as it all is, the captions really take it over the top. Shame on Geffen for not doing it right.
Dare I say... Fuck Geffen!
You fucked up, dummies!
Yeah... i didn't wanna talk about ALL the shots... I figured people would chime in with their favorites.
cough cough
"It's really ginger ale!"
This car is rented. Classic subtitle.
Did you see most of the Budwiser "Wassup" dudes in the video?
And my other favorite subtitle.
Who is this dude?
(Referencing the cat with the 'fro that was on MTV's hip-hop sketch show)
I'm glad that questioned was brought up because he was in hella videos back in the day.
Where are we going?
The classic beatdown shot
The Goldstein estate - Rented for the day.
Big Willieisms
Running from what?
The ferocious pit bull shot
Can we really afford all this??
More relevant than ever.
I bet they had a blast making this video while they were making fun of everything in it. Even if you are making fun of video ho's, it isn't the worst thing in the world to have a fine girl shaking her ass next to your head. Do you think they have ass insurance on the set of videos?
some people actually have ass insurance.
The roots changed the game, that first album was bananas. It's nice to see i'm not the only one who still remembers that this was the only music out in this period that looked at things from a realistic standpoint. Against the wishes of mtv's and b.e.t's at that time this video was forced to get play. It's funny how now they would play with this without a droplet of conflict to it. This is a classic, that should be remade every year to add the passing years cliche video trends. This is at the top of the list in my book. Big up to the 90's, I still prefer that era's music anyhow.
I love this video, it's one of my all-time favorites. Especially the "Token White Girl" shot!
But to be historically correct, the concept was stolen/borrowed from the DeLaSoul video "Ego-Trip Part 2", in fact DeLaSoul's video may have been better. Also, by naming their record "Part 2", DeLaSoul gave credit to UltraMagnetic which originated the concept on their record "Ego-Trippin".
Yes, a few themes were certainly 'borrowed' from the De La video, but this is much more satirical.
Not to take anything away from De La, that video was excellent as well.
Sorry, I meant realistically satirical....De La was more slapstick satire, which definitely holds merit...
"It's nice to see i'm not the only one who still remembers that this was the only music out in this period that looked at things from a realistic standpoint."
Kayser... I wouldn't say ONLY. This also wasn't off of their first album... unless I just didn't read you correctly.
this is a classic video, one of my favourites.
but i recall the video having pop up clips, like when black thought and rapheal are in the car, a pop up says, "driving nowhere" and how they rented the mansion for a day or some sh!t.
does anyone remember that version?
noone wont care but i saw the dude ?uestlove at notting hill carnival.
he is a legendary drummer.
i guess i should read your comments before i post, right? lol
hahaha... you said it... i didn't.
but i would have!
You can find the version with the captions on www.singingfool.com.
You saw the "Wassup?" dudes because the light skinnded one Charles Stone was actually the director of the video. He later directed Paid in Full.
Running from what?
That song is bananas the video is just as equally classic. The words the laid back beat and the simplicity of the chorus id just like breath-taking. I love that song and it can bee applied to so many scenarios not just parodies of rappers. I agree with kayser9soze you just can't remake songs of the 90's it's like everything as far as hip-hop goes is so real the 90's was the best decade for hip hop music.
You can't clown a video that clowns itself. Why didn't this win a VMA. Oh yeah they made fun of stereotypes, they didn't do it to be serious. This video and song is one of the greatest, period.
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