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(December 31, 2005 - January 11, 2006)  2005 YEAR-END REVIEW
It's that time of the year again: the annual review of Hype Williams's work in the past 12 months.  In 2005, Hype Williams continued his 'comeback' to directing videos, doing about 10-11 music videos (but still not at the quantity of videos-per-annum as he did at the height of his career, back in 96-98).  Starting with his video for Queen Latifah's Simply Beautiful (at the beginning of 2005) Hype began to play around with the empty 'bars' at the top & bottom of the screen; these were the empty 'voids' created on the 4:3 screen when the video itself was shot in wide screen.  He would place secondary footage in these bars, running simultaneously with the actual video, creating a very unique effect.  He continued this feature with much of his videos through 2005 (with the exception of the two Kanye West videos and the One Chance video).  My personal favorites this year are Gold Digger (Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx), Check On It (Beyonce), and Simply Beautiful (Queen Latifah); my least favorites were That's My Word (One Chance) and Diamonds From Sierra Leone (Kanye West).  Haven't heard anything about possible projects for 2006, but there's always those film projects that have been discussed for the past few years (Thrilla, Captivity, Speed Racer).

(December 21, 2005)  PHARRELL WILLIAMS VIDEO OUT
The Hype Williams-shot video Angel for Pharrell Williams has begun airing in Europe.  The video features Pharrell with several models wearing angel-inspired lingerie, against a dimly lit 'cloudy, moonlit sky' backdrop.  In the top and bottom letterbox bars are images of picture frame moldings.
(thanks to Cihan for the info)

(December 16, 2005)  BEYONCE VIDEO PREMIERES
The Hype Williams-directed video for Beyonce, Check On It, premiered this week on MTV's Making The Video.  The video is taken from the upcoming Steve Martin/Beyonce movie The Pink Panther.  The video starts of with an animation of the Pink Panther, then continues to shots of Beyonce & backup dancers performing against a pink background.  The video is VERY VERY pink.  Once again, Hype puts images in the top and bottom letterbox bars, but this time he 'frames' the centre image with a simple shot of pink wavy fabric.  The video also features rap by Slim Thug.
Check out the video at Yahoo! Music.
(thanks to Cihan for the info)

(November 29, 2005)  HYPE SHOOTS VIDEO FOR BEYONCÉ | ONE CHANCE & JAMIE FOXX VIDEOS PREMIERE
MTV.com reports that Hype Williams recently shot a video for Beyoncé's next single Check On It (featuring Slim Thug & Bun B).  The video was shot last Tuesday (November 22).

The Hype Williams-directed video for R&B group One Chance, for their single(s) That's My Word/Could This Be Love (from the upcoming Usher movie soundtrack In The Mix) has premiered on BET.

The new Hype Williams-directed video for Jamie Foxx's debut single, Unpredictable (featuring Ludacris) premiered last night on MTV's Making The Video.  The video features Jamie Foxx & Ludacris partying with several girls at a classy club, then shots of Jamie serenading a girl in bed.  Like many of Hype's recent videos (for Thicke, Smitty, Slim Thug, Queen Latifah), the video is shot in wide screen, with secondary images playing along the top and bottom "letter box bars" which would normally be black.  Jamie Foxx last appeared in the Hype Williams video for Kanye West's Gold Digger.

(November 18, 2005)  HYPE SHOOTS VIDEO FOR PHARRELL
MTV.com reports that Hype Williams recently shot a video for Pharrell Williams's next single, Angel.
click here to read article

(November 10, 2005)  USHER PREVIEWS VIDEOS ON MTV | HYPE SHOOTS VIDEO FOR JAMIE FOXX
As previously reported, Hype Williams was to shoot videos for two upcoming artists off of Usher's new record label.  Usher was on MTV's Total Request Live this past Monday to preview the two clips: the Hype Williams-shot That's My World by One Chance, and Settle Down by Rico Love.  The Rico Love video ended up being shot by Little X.

Sources say that Hype Williams recently shot a new video for actor/singer Jamie Foxx's upcoming single Unpredictable in New York, at the Cipriani restaurant.  (as reported by Washington DC radio station 96.3 WHUR FM)
(thanks to Ugi U for both pieces of information)

(October 24, 2005)  HYPE WILLIAMS TO DIRECT VIDEOS FOR  2 ARTISTS UNDER USHER'S NEW RECORD LABEL
Billboard.com announced that Usher's record label, US Records, will debut next month with a soundtrack album for his upcoming movie In The Mix.  The album will showcase the label's roster of acts.  The first two singles are by rapper Rico Love (with his track Settle Down) and R&B group One Chance (with their track That's My World).  Hype Williams is slated to shoot videos for the two tracks.
click here to read full article at Billboard.com

(October 18, 2005)  ROBIN THICKE VIDEO PREMIERES
The Hype Williams-directed video Wanna Love You Girl by Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell Williams has premiered on Yahoo! Launch.

(September 8, 2005)  KANYE WEST "GOLD DIGGER" | UPCOMING VIDEOS FOR RAPPER SMITTY; R&B SINGER THICKE

Haven't had a chance to update the site in a while.  But by now, all of you have probably seen or heard about the new Hype Williams-directed video for the Kanye West feat. Jamie Foxx track Gold Digger.  Hype is back!  This video features Kanye performing against a stark red light against a plain back background, as girls appear in 50's-inspired pin-up girl poses.  Some shots are made to reflect such "girlie" magazine covers of that era, with the lyrics of the track appearing as the titles and captions.  Jamie Foxx makes an appearance in the video, as he sings the hook from the track.  Frequent Kanye collaborator John Legend also makes a cameo.  The video premiered August 8 on MTV Total Request Live, and also that week on BET's Access Granted.
(thanks to Julian R., Adrian P, Anthony E, Devin A, Cihan for the info)

Hype Williams directed a new video for rapper Smitty for his track Diamonds On My Neck.  The video was to premiere last week.
click here to read article in the Miami Herald

Hype Williams also directed a new video for R&B singer Thicke, for the track Wanna Love You Girl (featuring Pharrell Williams).  It was announced back in July on MTV.com that Paul Hunter had shot a video for the track, but apparently Hype Williams was called in to re-shoot the video.  Hype's shoot took place in mid-August on location in Santo Domingo, utilizing its virgin beaches and waterfalls as a backdrop for the video.  The video was a co-production of Naa'ila (Hype's own production company) and Santo Domingo Film & Music Video (a local company).  Attached are some images from the video shoot.

(July 31, 2005)  "BELLY" TO AIR ON BET THIS FRIDAY
Hype Williams's movie directoral debut, 1998's Belly, is airing this Friday on BET (8pm EST).

(July 6, 2005)  JODECI GREATEST HITS DVD
Universal Music has released a Jodeci greatest hits DVD compilation entitled Jodeci - Back To The Future: The Videos, which includes 13 of their videos including the Hype Williams-directed video for Feenin' (from the early 1990's).
click here to buy the DVD at Amazon.com

(June 21, 2005)  HYPE SHOOTS KILLER MIKE VIDEO (?)
According to a news post on MTV.com and hiphopdx.com, Hype Williams shot a new video for Outkast protégé Killer Mike for his first single My Chrome, last week in Atlanta.
click here for MTV.com article | click here for hiphopdx.com article
(thanks to Ugi U for the info)

(June 18, 2005)  KANYE WEST VIDEO PREMIERES | NEW SLIM THUG VIDEO | HYPE'S IPOD PLAYLIST
The new Hype Williams-directed video for Kanye West's Diamonds From Sierra Leone premiered on BET's Access Granted show this past Wednesday (June 15).  The black & white video, as previously mentioned, was shot last month in Prague.  The storyline begins with young kids being forced to work in dark and dungy diamond mines.  Throughout the video are shots of Kanye walking through the streets of Prague, children working in the diamond mines, and twisted versions of DeBoer's commercials where a happy engaged couple buy a diamond ring, only to have blood ooze out of the ring.
click here to read article on MTV.com | click here to read press release at Yahoo News | read video review at Purpology

NOTE: DIAMONDS FROM SIERRA LEONE - ACCESS GRANTED RE-AIRS TONIGHT (SAT. JUNE 18 @ 8:30pm on BET)

Hype Williams directed the new Slim Thug video I Ain't Heard Of That.  The video is similar to the Queen Latifah video Simply Beautiful (also directed by Hype Williams), in that the top & bottom bars of a 'widescreen' video are actually filled with images.  The Queen Latifah video had the main image reflected onto the widescreen bars.  In the Slim Thug video, totally different shots are used in these otherwise empty spaces.

Hype Williams is taking part of a charity auction entitled "Style & Sound: A Case for a Cause" to support Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (affiliated with the CFDA Foundation).  The auction is organized by urbanwear designer Marc Ecko, and pairs up 14 fashion designers with 14 celebrities to create the ultimate iPod package.  The fashion designers design a custom-made iPod case, while the celebrities choose the playlist to go on the iPod.  Fashion designers include Ecko, Betsey Johnson, Vivienne Tam, & Donna Karan.  Celebrities chosen to create the playlists include Hype Williams, Renee Zellweger, Cyndi Lauper, Katie Holmes, Vanessa Williams, Jessica Alba, and Mary J. Blige.  Hype Williams is paired up with fashion designer Nanette Lepore.  The auction concludes the evening of of June 22 at a party hosted by Marc Ecko.  The site is open for bidding right now, with bids ranging from $200-$2000.

Click here to view all 14 auctions on Ebay | Click here to view the Nanette Lepore/Hype Williams iPod package

(June 2, 2005)  HYPE WILLIAMS NO LONGER WITH RSA | NEW KANYE & FOXY BROWN VIDEOS | MUSIC VIDEO EXHIBIT
Hype Williams is no longer signed with the mega-production company RSA Films (owned by brothers Ridley & Tony Scott).  Hype's name has been removed from their roster of directors (as found on the rsafilms.com website) as of (at least) one month ago.  Anyone know who he's signed with now, or if he's going solo?

MTV.com reported (back in mid-May) that Hype Williams shot the new Kanye West video Diamonds in Prague (Czech Republic) during the week of May 17.
click here to read article
(thanks to jrcrave, Adrian P., Nicholas L. for the info)

Foxy Brown's official website (foxy-brown.com) also announced in mid-May that her new video Come Fly With Me (featuring Sizzla), off her upcoming album Black Roses, will be directed by Hype.  The only other solo video that Hype has shot for Foxy Brown was one of her first videos, Get Me Home (featuring Blackstreet), back in 1996.  She has also appeared in his videos for Jay Z's Sunshine, and LL Cool J's I Shot Ya.
(thanks to Nicolas L. for the info)

A gallery in Pittsburg, Pa. is currently showing an exhibit entitled Music Video, showcasing the most striking and influential music videos produced since 1982.  Hype Williams is among the directors whose work is being shown, along with Spike Jonze, Chris Cunningham, and Herb Ritts.  The exhibit is showing at the Wood Street Galleries (601 Wood Street, Pittsburg, Pa.; phone:412-471-5605) until June 18.

(March 9, 2005)  NEW QUEEN LATIFAH VIDEO | HYPE TO SHOOT ASHANTI VIDEO?
Hype Williams has shot a new video for rapper-turned-actress-turned-soul-diva Queen Latifah.  The video is for the lead single Simply Beautiful (featuring Al Green), off her new album The Dana Owens Album.  The video is interesting, in that it is a beautifully shot black & white video of Queen Latifah singing in a lounge/club; the video is shot in wide screen format, but rather than the typical black bars on the top & bottom, the video is mirrored onto these two negative spaces, creating an interesting effect.  The video premiered on VH1 in late-February.
A MUST-SEE VIDEO!; view it in streaming format at queenlatifahmusic.com
(thanks to Anthony E. for the info)

Last week, a posting on RNBDIRT.com stated that Hype Williams was set to direct the upcoming Ashanti video Don't Leave Me Alone on March 20-24 in Miami & Mexico.  It was to replace a previously shot, and intended 2nd single, Focus.  However, another video for Don't Let Them was actually shot by Irv Gotti late-last week, which makes me wonder if the Hype Williams video will go through in the next few weeks...  Ashanti's official website states that Don't Let Them is now the next official single.  Info will be posted here as it becomes available.
click here to read original posting on RNBDIRT.com
(thanks to Nicholas L. for the info)

(February 9, 2005)  HYPE SHOOTS 112 VIDEO
112 were on MTV's Direct Effect this past Monday, talking about their upcoming album (to be released in March), and they mentioned that they were just in Atlanta shooting the video with Hype Williams for the first single off the album.
(thanks to Anthony E. for the info)

(January 17, 2005)  HERBAL ESSENCES COMMERCIAL FEATURING ASHANTI
RSA Films (the production company with which Hype Williams is signed to) reports on their website (RSAfilms.com) that Hype Williams has directed the new commercial for the shampoo Herbal Essences, featuring Ashanti.  The commercial, entitled "Smooth As Silk", is described by the site as:

"Ashanti is in the midst of a shower when suddenly, Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner begins to drip from pal leaves above into her hair.  As she lathers her hair she grows increasingly excited, realizing only Herbal Essences can make her hair smooth as silk."

I've been told that the commercial aired all through this past December, and hasn't aired since.

(December 31, 2004 - January 17, 2005)  2004 YEAR REVIEW
Another year has past, and Hype Williams slowly got back into directing videos.  He directed about 6 new videos this year, most of which featured the signature night shots he was known for back in his early days of directing (mid-1990's) ( with videos for Teedra Moses, New Edition, Ashanti & The Game).  My two favorites this year are his videos for Ashanti's Only U and The Game's How We Do.  My least favorite was his video for Ja Rule feat. R. Kelly & Ashanti, Wonderful.  While not directing videos, Hype was heavily involved in developing and consulting with video game development, including working on a trailer for The Sims spin off, The Urbz.  It was also announced in September that Hype is attached to direct a remake of the Blaxploitation film, Superfly.  Still no word on the other movies he was mentioned to be attached to back in 2003, including the 3D horror movie Thrilla, the thriller Captivity, and the live-action remake of the Japanese anime Speed Racer.

Archived News: 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | Current