Archive 2000.02: April 2000 - May 2000 | back to 2000 Archived News

(May 24, 2000)
The new Busta Rhymes video Get Out premiered over the weekend on The Box & BET.
View the following full length clips from Elektra.com:
56k Streaming Real Video | 28.8k Streaming Real Video (slideshow)
(thanks to Kevin & JB for the info)

(May 17, 2000)
An anonymous source has informed me that Hype Williams directed a new Busta Rhymes video last week, entitled Get Outta Here.

(April 27, 2000)
OH NO!  It has been reported by a few people from UK that the host of MTV Europe show The Lick announced last week, while introducing Jay Z's Big Pimpin' video, that Hype Williams plans to direct ONLY TWO MORE music videos.  I am guessing that he wants to concentrate on other projects such as his new film production deal with New Line.

I forgot to mention that in the new The Face magazine article (April 2000), it states that Hype Williams is planning on releasing TWO books: the first one is one filled with stills and stories from his videos (has been delayed several times the past few months); and another book with some photography he's done.  Seems like he's branching into photography now, apparently shooting covers for magazines.

(April 18, 2000)
Warner Home Video has announced that they will release Space Jam: Special Edition DVD on July 25.  Included with this version will be several extras, such as the movie trailer, behind-the-scenes coverage, and music videos!  I'm assuming that the music video for the movie's theme, I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly (directed by Hype Williams) will be included, and also quite possibly the video for Hit 'Em High by The Monstars (also directed by Hype Williams).

Columbia Tristar Home Video has announced that they will be releasing a special edition DVD of the movie Bad Boys (starring Will Smith).  The special edition DVD will include many special features such as audio comentary by the director, a behind-the-scenes special, and music videos by Diana King, Warren G., and 69 Boyz from the movie's soundtrack.  The Warren G. video, So Many Ways, was directed by Hype Williams.

(April 16, 2000)
I finally got a chance to pick up the April 2000 issue of the The Face magazine, in which there is an article on Hype Williams.  The article covers Hype's involvement in directing a fashion show for British designer Julien Macdonald on February 17, 2000 at the Millennium Dome in London as part of London's Fashion Week.  There are six pages comprised of several images of the fashion show rehearsal, and an article.  I will be posting up several articles on the show, as well as full text and image scans of the The Face article in the next few weeks.

It has been confirmed that Hype Williams has left HSI Productions.  According to my sources, Hype left the production company several weeks ago, months after signing a film deal with New Line Pictures.  I do not have alot of info on this at the moment, but will post any news as I get them.

(April 14, 2000)
I haven't updated the site in about a month, and there were several bits of Hype Williams news in the past weeks that I'll list now:

The 9th Annual MVPA (Music Video Production Association) Awards were held on April 7 in Los Angeles.  Hype Williams videos received two nominations: Best R&B Video for TLC's No Scrubs and Best Rap Video for Q-Tip's Vivrant Thing (which won).  Congrats Hype!  Apparently, Hype was a no-show for the awards banquet.

Hype directed the new video for Vita Vita Vita by The Murderers feat. Vita.  The video was shot on location in Las Vegas, and has the same atmosphere and similar locations as Hype's video for Mase's Feel So Good.  The video premiered on BET in mid-March.
(thanks to Doug, Matt, Keenon for the info)

It was reported by MTV.com a few months ago that Da Brat's new video for What Chu Want would be directed by Hype Williams and would be premiering on the March 27th episode of MTV's Making The Video.  Imagine the surprise to viewers who watched the episode to find that Dave Meyers directed it instead.
(thanks to Clint, Gerald, hotboy for the info)

Last but not least, Hype Williams is prominantly featured in two European magazines.  First of all, there is a 10 page article in the Swedish culture magazine Bibel (March 2000 issue, pg.40).  Unfortunately, the article is in Swedish so I can't read it, but there are a few shots of Hype (taken last November in Los Angeles) and some screen captures from his videos.  The second magazine is the April 2000 issue of The Face magazine.  Fortunately, this one is published in the UK and the article is in English (but I haven't had a chance to pick it up yet).  North American fans who want to purchase these magazines might want out check their local international magazine store or national chain stores such as Barnes & Noble and Borders.  Canadian bookchain Chapters carries The Face in most of their locations.

Oh, just one last thing.  I found some really good quality Quicktime video clips of Kelis's Caught Out There at kelis.com.  I suggest downloading the T1 version, even if you don't have T1 connection, because the clip is larger and much clearer:

• (56k Quicktime clip from kelis.com)
• (ISDN Quicktime clip from kelis.com)
• (Dual ISDN Quicktime clip from kelis.com)
• (T1 Quicktime clip from kelis.com)