Words by Matthew Mundy

Sometimes, some object will arrive in the world that is so useful, so superlative, that it literally comes to define its era, influencing and shaping everything that goes on around it.

Think — the printing press, or the Internet, or liquor.

At the same time though, occasionally something can come along that is so utterly devoid of good, so bereft of genius that it comes to act as the polar opposite of good, a magnet of evil, a signpost for where that culture went wrong.

In hip-hop today, my friends, that thing is music videos with DJ Khaled in them.

Now I know I’ve been down this path before, with my measured discussion of the ‘I’m So Hood (Remix)’ video. It was a path soaked in blood and tears, the type of human viscera that only repeated watching of the most mediocre video in the history of time can drag out of me. And yes, I also know that the video for “Speedin’” has been out for a while, and from all signs appears to boast a budget roughly 35,000 times that of the “I’m So Hood” video. But, tradition and a sense of obligation to this culture that I love so much, demands of me that I visit this video and once again trumpet the most astounding parts of it. And, like “I’m So Hood,” it should be noted that I genuinely like this song, as much as it pains me to admit it. Without further ado, then, I bring you my review of “Speedin’,” and remember – I do this so you don’t have to and never forget that.

1. The cinematography

From the get-go, we know we’re in for a treat. No need for quick jump-cuts here – Khaled and his ilk have clearly upgraded here and it’s a nice start. My first impression is that this video could, just maybe, jump off from the thematic content of the song in the form of a polemic against the police and racial profiling. I’m impressed, thus far.

2. The stop

Not more than 13 seconds in, and already this video has jumped the proverbial shark. A lethargic-looking Rick Ross, with smoke cascading out of his nostrils, looks to be in some sort of diabetic coma. Perhaps, I think, he was driving all over the road, his blood-sugar levels having deleteriously affected his driving skills. But no – he is being pulled over, of course, because he was speeding. Read the rest of this entry »