In this music video ‘Touch the Sky’ Kanye West tries to make an interesting, innovative and creative short film rather than a music video. This '70s themed video fits the song well and contains clever touches throughout breaking away from generic mainstream r & b and hip-hop.
Throughout the entire video start to beginning the setting is right in the forefront. The setting is of the Canyon that Kanye West will be attempting to jump. The mise-en-scene is constructed to illustrate the beauty of what the character Kanye is playing is trying to achieve.
Kanye’s video opens like an old film and even includes credits. Kanye plays Evel Kanyevel, a daredevil who is about to embark on a dangerous, death defying stunt involving using a rocket to cross a massive canyon. This is an obvious reference to the famous daredevil ‘Evel Knievel’ who was known for going to all lengths to go against human logic and physics. Pamela Anderson makes an appearance in this music video as Kanye's girl in the video suiting the typical blonde, physically fit, glamorous music video girl. During the video, we see Kanye prepare for his stunt called Death Rocket and we are given a visual of Anderson and Mr. Kanyevel argue and deal with the dangerousness of this gigantic stunt which brings a deep reality to this music video which makes a change from generic r & b and hip hop videos.
Despite the degree of seriousness of the video's plot where a man is risking his life to impress the world, there is some humour to be found. The video brings the music to a halt for a brief moment as a reporter interviews ‘Kanyevel’. A subtle reference made to the controversy over Kanye's comments about President Bush is apparent, with some celebrity cameos adding an edge of comedy to this video. Tracie Ellis Ross who made an appearance in Kanye’s video ‘the new workout plan’ makes a brief but funny appearance insulting Mr Kanyevel in the process. Tracie Ellis Ross's dialogue is nothing but comedy as to lighten the mood of the video as the previous scene showed Anderson and Kanyevel arguing.
After the humorous interlude, the video proceeds, as Kanye finally gets ready for the stunt. TV cameras are everywhere and plenty of people are watching the celebration of this huge feat about to be attempted. Then Lupe Fiasco performs his verse with a marching band behind him with his name in bold at the bottom of the screen. We then see Anderson run to Kanye to kiss him as if a final kiss as it seems to of been done out of desperation. The video meets its end as Kanye attempts the stunt.
This music video of ‘Touch The Sky’ has a gritty, cinematic feel that keeps you interested throughout despite it being 5:20 minutes in length which is usually unheard of for a r & b or hip hop song. It portrays the '70s to the audience very well with nice touches here and there such as slightly the whole music video having a grainy effect.
Some of the lyrics in ‘Touch The Sky’ are a reference to the action onscreen. When Kanye says, ‘I'm going on an airplane and I don't know if I'll be back again’ he is looking out at the rocket that will seal his fate, when the camera cuts to Anderson’s face it highlights the problems this stunt is causing for their relationship.
The plot and setting complement each other creating a video, which is both entertaining both to watch and listen to. There appears to be no hip-hop video clichés to be found and at times, it is as though you're watching a short film rather than a music video. ‘Touch the sky’ makes a change from the usual ‘booty-shaking’ generic r & b and hip hop video.
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