Artist Shadow: Awon Boys’ “Gimme” Music Video (2017)
Video directed by Ryan Muir
Art Direction by Azikiwe Mohammad
Music written by Awon Boyz
Produced by melvitto
Camera: Noah Fowler
Stills by Mike Greene
A’Won Boyz released the single Gimme in 2017 while living in NYC among a small number of U.S.-based artists making Afropop-influenced tracks for the West African diaspora there. Tracks like “Gimme” circulated mainly through diaspora social networks, DJs, and online sharing rather than through radio or major label promotion.
The music video project produced and directed by Ryan Muir of Experienced Visuals was made possible through a deep network of friends and favors on effectively shoestring budget in the spirit of DIY culture.
The production design was created in collaboration with NY Artist Azikiwe Mohammad and the talent markings were designed with Laolu Senbanjo who employed Yoruba spiritual symbolism in a body art style he calls “The Sacred Art of the Ori.” using white paint to design the flowing patterns that map across the body.
Behind THE SCENES
Pre-Production
Pre-visualization of the unique visual identity, with allowed for an economy of time and resources to be used to the fullest extent
