We love the Ludacris video shot in Durban – siyabonga Luda
Wow wow wow. If you haven’t seen Luda’s latest music video Pimping All Over the World, do something to make sure you see it soon. It’s a pity that it takes an international artist to show off our rocking country and the exploitation in the video may be a little hard to swallow but it’s certainly put Durbs on the map and challenged the common perceptions of Africa – and hey we can deal wi…
th it…. We particularly loved his ZULU that he spoke at the beginning – nice one mfowethu!
The video takes the cheesy, cliched side of tourism and glams it up into a sexy, awesome tongue-in-cheek showcase for all those ignoramuses that still think Aaaaafricah is a backward hopeless continent.
For the feminists out there and those easily offended you may battle with the typical hip hop portrayal of women as booty – well the song is pretty honest, it’s about “pimping all over the world”… and the fact is – there’s half-naked Zulu men in it too 🙂
Here’s some background on the gorgeous South African models used in the video from sohh.com:
Desiree Phillips, a South African police officer, Mathapelo Maimane, a personal assistant and project manager from Johannesburg and Zulu Prince Maqhawe Biyela were all handpicked by Luda to take on leading roles in the “Pimping All Over the World” video. All three said they were shocked after learning of their new gig. This video marks The Red Light District’s third release and is slated to premiere on MTV in May. For the shoot, Luda stayed in Durban for three days and shot scenes on its beachfront, the Lion Park near Pietermaritzburg, the Zimbali Lodge and the Sibaya Casino on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. Desiree Phillips, 26, has never modeled, but was selected while on duty during the shoot at the beachfront.
Have a look on the web for views on the video all from over the place, here’s a little enlightening quote from a blogger on SOHH – interesting logic: I felt a little ashamed that I didn’t realize there are beautiful women on that continent before. But hey, can you blame me for my ignorance? Every time I see African women on TV they’re either scrawny and topless with a basket on their head, or are starving and have flies buzzing around their face.So, props to Luda and his team for making a quantum leap in the way Black women are portrayed in the media.
What do you think? Damned if you do Damned if you don’t?