Tear It Up

Hard work does not guarantee success, but success does not come without hard work. 

It's been a busy month for me. I'm currently working as Director of Photography on a movie known as Doobie Sampson, I finished my role as DP for The Gifted Music video a few weeks ago, and I just finished shooting a music video as DP for singer, Matt Kabus. I've never been one to rest. I won't be starting anytime soon.

I have been shooting a large amount of music videos, but I haven't been sharing them as frequently as I should. One of my most recent videos was for rap duo, Controversy and Big D. I shot this a few months ago, but never got around to sharing it.  

Controversy and Big D hail from Alabama and currently attend UA. Controversy came in with me during the Fall of 2008. It's been a long time since freshmen year. I would've never begun to imagine I'd shoot a music video for one of the better known rappers around campus.

One of the other reasons I'd like to share this is due to the progression I can see in myself. I'm proud of the work I did on Tear It Up, but I'm proud to say my skills have exponentially risen after shooting the upcoming music videos for Gifted and Matt Kabus.

You can find Controversy and Big D on twitter. You can also find the music video for Tear It Up on youtube.

I Gotta Hustle

Now that Homecoming is over life has gone back to relative normality. I have far more time to work on projects I'm not obligated towards. At the moment I'm working on a music video for Alabama rapper, Drama. I've come into contact with some very talented artists because of my work with North Greene records.

I usually shy away from doing music videos. This doesn't mean I'm not interested in the industry, but many of the artists that approach me usually have very sub-par music. Anyone that knows me understands I'll turn down money if a project doesn't interest me. In this case, if your music isn't well done I'll pass.

Drama and Trent surprised me. When I listened certain tracks I felt as if I were listening to something on the radio. From there I've been working with both. I'm focusing on Drama's video at the moment, but I'll more than likely work with Trent soon. Still, I have done some photography work for him.

You can find Trent on Twitter. To check out more of Trent's work click here. I recommend "I Gotta Hustle." To see more of our work together go to Flickr. Also, Que The Lights is now on Twitter. Be sure to follow us!

Nobody Died But Me

One of the interesting aspects of creative projects is the fact your work with an individual can span a few weeks or years between the inspiration and completion of a project.

I'm usually inclined to post a feature on a model or artist immediately after I'm done with their project. I believe in helping those who help you. Still, I decided to wait a few months to post the rest of my work with rapper, Teej.

It's been a second, but I did dual post known as, Listen to the Babble, featuring poet, Sky Diggs, and Teej free-styling some of their best-known work. I also did a photoshoot with Teej along with featuring his talent as an MC.

Teej's mixtape "Nobody Died but Me" is coming out soon and I'm looking forward to seeing him on the map. Plus, if he ever wants to extend his talent modeling wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination.

To check out the rest of Teej's photoshoot click HERE. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @QueTheLights or click HERE.

Welcome to the BattleGround

Welcome to the BattleGround



This was definitely one of those projects found myself enjoying. Editing this piece made me appreciate the case behind mood & atmosphere. I ended setting the piece in widescreen and desaturated the entire battle leaving the video in black&white. This made the ominous feel of ongoing flow come forth. You ended up focusing more closely on the rapper, his lyrics, and the expressions behind the words.
To check out the next installment of BattleGrounds click HERE

---Xay B.