OTTAWA MUSIC VIDEO ROUNDUP | MAY

The Ottawa music video roundup for May is our biggest to date with 18 videos! This month’s list includes Hueso, Chaz Dean, Chrissy Spratt, Dax, RBLx, and more!

We’re continuing to ask you, the fans, to vote for the capital’s Video of the Month. Check out the videos below in order of release date, then help us crown the top video in the city for May.

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Hueso feat. JKing
Popular Demand
Release date: May 1, 2019
Shot by: FVCKROH Productions

In May, artist and CFL player, Hueso, dropped “Popular Demand”, the first video off his debut project OfFsZn. Shot at Real Studio and the Ottawa Art Gallery in downtown Ottawa, the video features Hueso looking like a boss in a velvet blazer and fellow MLB members, including JKing who features on the track.

Chaz Dean feat. Mr Miso
Level 2
Release date: May 1, 2019
Directed by: Seibeltron

Chaz Dean’s “Level 2” is a pretty smart concept. He took a risk by shooting and recording this song live. It features Dean and Mr. Miso, who provides vocals on the track, in front of a pink background. It’s a live performance so no visual effects were needed or expected. The raw vocals are the star of the show.

Malak Sound feat. Aspects
Visa
Release date: May 1, 2019
Shot by: Andrew Robillard

“Visa” is the latest single off Malak Sounds’ upcoming album “The Neighbor”. The YouTube description gives us some insight into what the song is about. “I look forward to the day when nothing divides us…” The video, which features Ottawa rapper Aspects is set in Ottawa’s Byward Market. Throughout the video we also get some classic cartoons like Popeye.

RBLx feat. SVDVM, Xuave, Ocean lean
Perc
Release date: May 1, 2019
Shot and directed by: Joey Wrinn/FFA

As you’d expect from a song called “Perc”, this Joey Wrinn directed video has a lot of colours, hazy shots, and special effects. If you’re like me and have never been high on percs I imagine this video will give you an idea of what it’s like.

The Monotymes
Halloween 1813
Release date: May 1, 2019
Directed by: Geneva Ferguson and David Sklubal

Halloween 1813 by The Monotymes is different than what we’re used to including in our roundups. The video is set at a Halloween party where lead vocalist is dressed as the War of 1812 (perhaps there’s some symbolism in the costume including the White House on fire). The lead character goes to a party just to have a good time and ends up being being followed around by a creep. The message is about having self-awareness and support from your friends. Both the song and music video are great examples of storytelling.

Mark ii
Lipsick
Release date: May 2, 2019
Shot and directed by: David Sklubal, Geneva Feurguson and Mark

Mark ii’s video for “Lipsick” has throwback written all over it. Black and white. A VCR and old TV set. The music itself has an 80’s vibe. The Rideau Canal makes an appearance as does a spliff as Mark takes advantage of Canada’s cannabis laws. This video and song is something you probably wouldn’t expect to come out of Ottawa which is why it deserves a watch.

Marty Party feat. Ghvstz
Bnb
Release date: May 3, 2019
Directed by: Jean-Yves Seka

The video for “Bnb” opens with a dice game and a bottle of Hennessy. Around the table are Marty Party, Ghvstz, who features on the track, and hip-hop/R&B artist Nthn who makes a cameo. Aside from the dice game, we see the trip hanging out in a neighbourhood park. There’s nothing complicated about this video. Overall, the vocals and production on “Bnb” are pretty clean.

Runaway Randy Freeman feat. Jupleci
Fall In Drugs
Release date: May 3, 2019
Directed by: Ben Telford Visuals

“Fall In Drugs” is the latest video from Runaway Randy Freeman. It opens with lifeless bodies passed out in and around a hot tub, and also features girls, alcohol, and white styrofoam cups. If you look beyond the party scenes you can see some cool effects and slow motion shots.

Asuquomo
Wide Awake
Release date: May 6, 2019
Shot by: Prassars

Asuquomo, formerly know as Morris Ogbowu, re-emerged in May dropping his latest video for “Wake Awake”. Shot in his native Nigeria, it’s the only video on our list that was shot abroad. The Nigerian video crew shot a high quality video that provides a glimpse into village life in the artist’s home country.

Dax
No Cappin’
Release date: May 6, 2019
Shot by: Nate Perry Films

This is the first of three Dax videos on our list. It opens with Dax being pulled over by a cop played by him. He’s under arrest for not being like other rappers. This sets the tone for the video. In the song he responds to his critics and talks about his time as a janitor and burger flipper. In the end he turns on the cop and detains him. As with other Dax videos, there’s a lot of comic relief. Good to see a kid from Ottawa doing it big.

Chrissy Spratt
Halo
Release date: May 9, 2019
Shot and edited by: Lenz Studio (Weggon Allen/Heru Lutalo)

Shot and directed by Ottawa’s Lenz Studio, Chrissy Spratt’s “Halo” is one of the higher quality videos on our list this month. It’s also an example of simple storytelling. If follows the ups and downs of Spratt’s relationship with her love interest played by fellow Ottawa artist Sir Jax. The video has already racked up close to 20,000 views on YouTube, one of the more popular videos on our list.

Knoxc 
Life’s Real
Release date: May 9, 2019
Shot and edited by: Goat Vision Studios (in collaboration with Blue City Productions)

Goat Vision Studios is back on our list this month with “Life’s Real” from Knoxc. It’s a simple video shot in black and white on the top level of the parking garage at the Rideau Centre. We also get some streetscape shots of the city.

DMK Billy
Not Like Me
Release date: May 11, 2019

Graffiti, alcohol bottles, guns, and money. That’s a bit of what we get in DMK Billy’s “Not Like Me”. The video was shot mostly in black and white in what looks like an abandoned school. The video is pretty simple but it does the trick.

Dax
All Night Long
Release date: May 12, 2019
Shot by: Logan Meis

The video opens with a big butt, big boobs and “60 strokes”. That’s what you might expect from a song called “All Night Long”. We eventually see Dax working out, hitting the basketball court, then hitting his girl again before going to the studio. With the opening text “This Actually Happened” what we’re getting is a glimpse into Dax’s daily grind (or bump and grind).

Gullet Band
Ladybird
Release date: May 16, 2019

Again, “Ladybird” from the Gullet Band is different than what we’re used to including on our list. The song talks about being sad but the video will make you feel happy.

Dax
Did It First
Release date: May 26, 2019
Shot by: Damien Sandoval

“Did It First” opens like a documentary – black and white shots of homeless people on Skid Row and drone shots. Some artists like to call their music videos “films” but this is a legit short film. The hook says, “Where I’m from they never did it, I did it first. Rap game wasn’t shit, I gave it birth”. We can assume he’s talking about Ottawa. He goes on to talk about how his friends didn’t believe in his dream, but now they’re watching. He’s obviously hitting back at his early critics and flexing a bit.

Hevve feat. Bullyzone
Klutch
Release date: May 29, 2019
Shot by: Quest
Edited by: JohnJohn

Inspired by Kawhi Leonard’s game-winning shot against the Philadelphia 76ers, “Klutch” is the latest release from Hevve, featuring fellow Ottawa artist Bullyzone. The video, shot by Quest and edited by JohnJohn, features Dreamland Studios, Algonquin College and local tattoo shop Platinum Tattoos Art Studio.

Queenyy x Chevdot
Pretty Young Thing
Release date: May 29, 2019
Shot and edited by: Flx Vsn

The video for Queenyy x Chevdot’s “Pretty Young Thing” was shot in Toronto by Flx Vsn, who delivered a simple yet high quality video. Both the song and video have a bit of an old school vibe between some of the outfits and choreography.

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