Lil Nas X‘s ‘Montero’ video didn’t just rustle feathers because of its religious overtones, it also raised eyebrows from some who noted striking similarities to FKA Twigs‘ visual for ‘Cellophone.’
One such person was the director of the latter.
Indeed, as reported, Andrew Thomas Huang said the following upon the release of Nas’ vid:
“When an artist is in a position of power (amplified by major record labels, social media, PR, etc) and repurposes someone’s labor and ideas to serve their brand image, they cause harm by displacing the efforts of the artists who did the original leg work.
Intentional or not, capitalizing on other artists’ work happens and we need to discuss the scale and magnitude and power asymmetries in this industry.”
Now Nas has weighed in. His words below…
‘i want to show love to @fkatwigs & @andrewthomashuang ! the “cellophane” visual is a masterpiece. i was not aware that the visual would serve as inspiration for those who worked on the effects of my video. i want to say thank u to twigs for calling me and informing me about the similarities between the two videos, as i was not aware they were so close. was only excited for the video to come out. i understand how hard you worked to bring this visual to life. you deserve so much more love and praise. 🏹🤍’
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FKA Twigs responded affectionately saying:
“Thank you @lilnasx for our gentle honest conversations and for acknowledging the inspiration cellophane gave you and your creative team in creating your iconic video!
i think what you have done is amazing and i fully support your expression and bravery in pushing culture forward for the queer community. legend status.
i want to thank @andrewthomashuang and @kelyvon for helping me create cellophane but also and most importantly i would like to thank sex workers and strippers for providing the physical language to make both videos possible. i have been working with @swarmhive to help support this community and i know all donations to the swarm hardship fund will be welcome during this difficult time.”
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Now that is how it is done. Classy.
That’s right, thats how adults should deal with stuff like that
Chile bye 😂 The Cellophane music video was nominated for a Grammy and guess what video won that year? Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road! Yes, he copied the music video he beat at The Grammys, then acts like he didn’t know anything about it smh…I’mma need the good sis Solange to catch him in an elevator lol 🤣
https://tenor.com/view/fight-solange-removing-gif-10837125
I like how he addressed it head on. You don’t see that alot
Those videos didn’t even look all that similar to me.
She looks up and sees the same Angel/Demon Nas sees right before he falls to hell, you should probably go watch that part because he didn’t post it! 😬😬
Damn..that’s deep
and that’s low key a read and shade 😂 but also BIG FACTS..they are serving the same devil 🤷
If he was manly he’d be so s*** sigh.
*$exy
It’s 2021 bruh, I’m not talking the “I was unaware of the similarities” from entertainers anymore. Y’all want to be called artist for taking what’s being handed to you?
That’s code for “she’s getting a bag for this”
Beyoncé should learn from him how to be classy when you got caught copycatting… 🤣
He learned from her. He didn’t acknowledge it till he was addressed.