Thursday, July 9, 2009

Usher -- Yeah!

It seems appropriate that somebody named Mr. X would love laser beams.


Music video

Usher in the music video of "Yeah!", using blue and green hues for laser beams

Mr. X, formerly Little X, had previously captured videos for Usher's single "U Don't Have to Call" and "U Got It Bad". Mr. X was inspired with the treatment of laser beams after listening to the song.[29] He felt the sound was a laser beam for him, referring to the beat as "distinctive".[29] Usher and Mr. X combined ideas to create a dance video for "Yeah!". The treatment was accompanied of how Usher wanted to be portrayed in the video, particularly showcasing his dance moves.

The music video was filmed in a vacant art gallery in Los Angeles over two days. When the shooting started, Mr. X recalled Michael Jackson's "low-tech" and "laser-flashing" 1979 "Rock With You" video, and used it as a reference.[29] Forty extras were commissioned to dance with Usher, and two ladies to tempt him in different scenes. They went through photo browsing and phone calling, opting for Destiny, a friend of Mr. X, who seduces Usher in the club ala Marilyn Monroe wardrobe to complement the lyrics.[29] Usher's other would-be seductress is portrayed by model Melyssa Ford. Lil Jon acted as an assistant director during the sessions. Usher took charge of his ideas on his wardrobe and choreography, with additional routines, specifically the Rockaway and the thunderclap, which Mr. X learned from Jamaica. The Rockaway influenced Fat Joe and Terror Squad's "Lean Back" video.[29]

Usher's dancing in front of the green and blue laser beams is prominently featured throughout the video. Lil Jon and Ludacris appeared on the video as well.[1] Ludacris protégé Chingy also appears near the end of the video, holding up his chain which shows his name. Sean "Diddy" Combs' former assistant, Farnsworth Bentley, made a cameo at the end of the video as well, when he was in Los Angeles and Mr. X begged him to dance in the video with his violin.

The music video debuted on MTV's Total Request Live at number ten on February 19, 2004.[30] "Yeah!" topped the countdown, and retired on May 3 at number six after appearing on the countdown for fifty days.[31][32] "Yeah!" became one of the most successful music video by Usher, alongside "Confessions Part II", which also remained for fifty days.[30] At the 2005 Soul Train Music Awards, the video was nominated for Michael Jackson Award for best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video.[18]



1 comment:

  1. Important discussions about music, usher and racism are ignored in the following selected comments from youtube:

    Yeah yeah yeah!
    I remember this song was a pain in the ass when it was popular, it played everywhere! But it's cool now, though!
    -Goosedance
    so true
    -Camakogirl08

    I Counted a total of 81 YEAH's (including the echos and LiL Jon in the background) xD
    -gh3wtflol
    why would you guys COUNT the "yeahs" ?
    -alexiswitt
    they were bored.
    -dontforgetit94
    i counted 90
    -bradybunch2
    i gotrs 74
    -xhersilda

    good song for a party having sex!!
    -AstonMartin5
    u r gross!
    -XOXODerekIsCuteXOX

    Interesting that when this video came out my ex left me and I started use drugs (meth) now that I listen to this I have mixed emotions...
    Love the song, but to many memories...
    -moznico
    But I've been clean for 2 years...
    -moznico

    Critics say that Ciara's upcoming single "High Price.", is the next crunk-fused hit and is a strong sequel to "Yeah". Lil' Jon produced "High Price" and features Ludacris.. it betta' be a hot song!!
    -KiNGCRisTian

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