Multi-genre rap sensation Steven Ellison, better known by his stage name of Flying Lotus, has released a new music video for “Never Catch Me,” a single off of his upcoming You’re Dead album.

Photo Credit: Marv Watson

According to Illia Guminskiy, “It’s good to know Kanye West isn’t the only one to refuse rapping according to the law,” and I’d most certainly have to agree with that sentiment. The electro-tinged, multi-layered single “Never Catch Me” is so beyond the traditional rap conventions that I think even Kanye himself would be impressed. Released shortly after producing a short film starring Noomi Rapace, Flying Lotus’ latest video for the single is both morose and jubilant at the same time. It opens at a funeral parlor where a memorial is being held for two young children who tragically died from some unknown cause. Over the course of the video, the apparent “spirits” (the funeral attendees continue to mourn while the dearly departed raise all manner of cain) of the kids emerge from their respective caskets and begin dancing their way through the parlor, eventually making it to the parking lot where the spirits of other deceased youngsters are filling their time in the afterlife jumping rope.

While I can’t quite figure out if the video is a commentary on life after death, or if it’s condemning the tragedy of children caught in the crossfire as a result of gang violence, or if it’s espousing the aerobic virtues of postmortem jump-roping, one thing I can figure out is that the single sounds great, accompanies the music video well, and gives me high hopes for the upcoming record. You’re Dead is due out on October 7th, and the video for “Never Catch Me” can be viewed here.