With the Lonewolf directed music video, the rapper makes it clear that he isn’t only a skater
With a Supreme sponsorship under his belt since a teen, Na-Kel Smith has quickly climbed the ranks of the skate industry, even designing a few collaborations with another one of his sponsors, Adidas. He played Ray in Mid90s, the coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Jonah Hill. First entering the world stage through skateboarding with Illegal Civilization, Smith has been inching his way into the music industry for quite some time.
With a Supreme sponsorship under his belt since a teen, Na-Kel Smith has quickly climbed the ranks of the skate industry, even designing a few collaborations with another one of his sponsors, Adidas. Furthering his range of talents, he played Ray in Mid90s, the coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Jonah Hill. First entering the world stage through skateboarding with Illegal Civilization, Smith has been inching his way into the music industry for quite some time.
He’s been releasing verses and singles for years now, well known for his association with the hip-hop collective Odd Future. But with the release of Twothousand Nakteen at the beginning of this year, it became clear that Smith has not rested on his laurels. The project is full of ravenous flows about needing to feed his family and his commitment to being the best version of himself. On “Championship,” Smith raps, “I do this grimy shit for funds not fun, stop playing with me.” He This sentiment is consistent throughout the EP, but potentially none more so than “Baggage,” the first track to have an accompanying visual.
“Baggage” contains a hypnotic, greedy hook which asserts that Smith needs everything — and then some. His low, intimate delivery creates a chilling refrain, “I need singles, fives, tens, dubs, fifties, green, and blue honchos, duh.” Smiths every word cuts through the song — through the bullshit — and gets to the point.
Shot by Lonewolf, the video strays from the usual quick cuts and paper-effect editing the Indianan director is so well known for. In fact, the music video is more of a short story, something that Illegal Civilization itself could be found doing. Another break in Lonewolf’s typical style is seen with the video’s lighting, having been shot in the daytime with a clear blue sky and a shining sun, instead of the dreary imagery normally associated with the director.
The video finds Smith as an enforcer of sorts. He receives a phone call from IC’s Mikey Alfred requiring him to go handle a troublesome associate. The track begins to play as Smith goes on a quick ride through the streets of Los Angeles, winding up onto the driveway of a gated home. The rapper and his cohorts load up a hostage into the van, and eventually execute him — indicating the lengths Smith is willing to go to provide for his loved ones.
Na-Kel Smith’s ambitious and impatient attitude is exemplified in the visual provided by Lonewolf, who was able to once again divert from his usual style of filming. Watch the music video down below.