Kojey Radical – Open Hand
Kojey Radical – Open Hand (2015)
Directed by: The Rest
Contemporary artist and spoken word poet, Kojey Radical returns with the aid of long time collaborators THE REST, to deliver a potent visual detailing a growing internal struggle between status and power. Kojey often uses contemporary dance to vocalize his poetry through movement; this time utilizing the intensity of Krump to gesture his emancipation.
The Rest do not shy away from using their work to illustrate important social issues, cleverly disguising social commentary in an abundance of well-placed symbolism. The visual introduces Kojey in a slave state, broken and visibly worn out. The space is baron and video rarely cuts, forcing you to focus on Kojey’s rising and passionate performance. As the lyrics grow in confidence, ushering in ideas of social separation through class and race, you see Kojey at his most aggressive; dripping in opulence and melanin. Eventually he returns back to his original posture, suggesting Kojey may still feel the status of slavery in some facet.
Styled by Umps Machaka, the film features jewellery from Lucky Little Blighters and garments from rising menswear designer Chelsea Bravo. Chelsea Bravo and Kojey debuted this collection entitled “WABI” in the emerging designers showroom during London Collections: Men marking Kojey’s first official term as the brands artistic director.
Kojey premiered the visuals inside the prestigious TATE BRITAIN to unanimous praise alongside his collective of artists PUSHCRAYONS, ultimately marking this project a piece of art.
“Open Hand” speaks vividly on today’s social climate, provoking feelings similar to The Revolution Will Not Be Televised over crisp rising 808’s, coupled with crushing African toms and confident brazen lyricism, enlisting the skills of London’s New Machine to craft an enigmatic trap infused production who also stars in the visual.
“I wanted the video to feel like an emancipation, a literal and visual example of uninhibited expression. As things continue to grow and the more my voice is recognised, the more I realise it is important to use that voice to speak on issues we often ignore simply because we feel like we don’t have the power to change anything. The Rest and I are actively trying to challenge the conventions of what music videos have become. We’re not here to be an example of the popular opinion, we’re here to offer the neglected perspective. My message to young artists is simply this …
Do not show fear, show understanding. Your art is a tool. use it.” – Kojey Radical
Kojey recently announced his next show will be “ARIVAL” a headline performance alongside Vince Staples hosted by DJ SEMTEX on November 5th. Kojey’s fearless, honest and artistically mature content earned him a personal invite to join the Mercury prize winning Young Fathers on a nationwide tour earlier this year.
Continuing the momentum, his celebrated visual BAMBU made its television premier on Channel 4, followed by a standout performance on season two of Four To The Floor. Last month Kojey’s headline show hosted by Noisey and Vice at Old Blue Last shattered records, with queues forming from 5pm to see the Radical perform. The show reached full capacity in just under 20 minutes with a line stretching down the street the whole night. This cult like support has earned him the recognition of Complex Magazine, who claim Kojey “…will change the way we view British music forever” and comparisons to Kendrick Lemar by Fader Magazine, as well as earning him the attention of Paloma Faith, Maverick Sabre, GoldLink, Tinie Tempah and actress Zawe Ashton.
