This past Friday, Jon Batiste dropped the feel-good anthem we've been waiting for. After a year of confusion and at some points chaos, this song, as Batiste put it, is "a vibe cleanse. After 2020, this is like a warm hug."
But for us in the Lindy Hop and swing dance community, it's a whole lot more than that. The song is fun and catchy, but the music video takes it to a whole new level. Check it out!
Directed by Alan Ferguson, the music video features a refreshingly authentic AND modern showcase of Lindy Hop. Far too often when the streams of pop culture and Lindy Hop cross we're left with a whitewashed or corny presentation with little to no trace of the dance's deep roots in Black community and culture left in the final cut -- think GAP commercial style.
Not here, though! From the joyous atmosphere of the "throwback" dance club, to the multi-generational group of musicians and dancers, to the clear focus on core elements of lead/follow partnership and the swingin' style of movement, the spirit of Lindy Hop shines bright. There's even speculation that the security guard at the end was a nod to the Ambassador of the Lindy Hop, the great Frankie Manning. (Looking to learn more about Lindy Hop history? Click here!)
Major props to the principal dancers, which feature a pair of bona-fide Lindy Hop All-Stars in Mikey Pedroza (@phantom_dreamer_mikey) and Nikki Marvin (@nikki_moxiegold_marvin) and CTG dance industry professionals Marieyls Molina (@marielysmolina77), Denzel Chisolm (@denzel-chisolm), Tatiana Barber (@babatita), and Tislarm Bouie (@tislarmbouie). Kudos to choreographer Jemel McWilliams (@jemelmcwilliams) for melding styles in a way that matches the song's melded genres.
Here's to hoping that we can all dance together again soon, but until then, we've got this beauty of a music video to sustain our spirits.
I NEED YOU is a single from Batiste's new album WE ARE. The full album will be released on Verve on March 19th. You can preorder the album here.
Swingin' out,
-Nick
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