The new video by Flying Lotus which features Denzel Curry is definitely powerful with its visuals and symbolic messaging. Lyrics like, “The black balloon floats. The black balloon flies. The black balloon pops. The black balloon dies.” The video is in black and white and shows Curry mouthing lyrics while scenes flash to different scenarios. Some of the scenes take place in an alleyway, getting a blood transfusion, smoke billowing from a car in a parking lot and in the end Curry pulls up his sweatshirt to flash a t-shirt which reads Mac Miller. The intro of the video shows black balloons floating in the air as the instrumentals and harmony set the tone.
Throughout the video, the theme is centered around life and death with lyrics describing life as “The ugliest bitch I ever messed with.” We all die is on repeat while the message powerfully pummels you into knowing that we as humans must face the ultimate end to our life, that which is death. It’s inevitable and inescapable. This song simply gives you that one-two punch reminder with an end that shows respect to Mac Miller the rapper who tragically died at age 26 years old in early September 2018. Before he passed away, Miller addressed his mental health saying, “I really wouldn’t want just happiness. And I don’t want just sadness either. I don’t want to be depressed. I want to be able to have good days and bad days.”
The video was done by Jack Begert who steps up to direct the pairing between FlyLo and Denzel Curry. The video follows Curry as he takes a surreal ride through South Los Angeles, completing the final chapter of the “Black Balloons” trilogy which includes the Miami Native’s own “Black Balloons” and “The Blackest Balloon”. Curry was raised in Carol City, Florida and began rapping in the 6th grade. He released a new album ZUU in May 2019 via Loma Vista Recordings. He has also released previous EP and albums Nostalgic 64, 32 Zel/Planet Shrooms, Imperial and Ta13oo. Curry is connected with well-known associates former rapper XXXTentacion, Ronny J, ASAP Ferg and more.
Flying Lotus plans to perform at show in rural Mississippi on December 13-15, 2019. Comedian Hannibal Buress announced the show Isola Fest will feature artists like T-Pain and Open Mike Eagle. Flying Lotus will also be part of the 2019 lineup for Adult Swim in their next annual phase of their Singles Program, a year-long initiative hosting weekly free music from a diverse list of artists. Other performers in the lineup includes, serpentwithfeet, Lingua Ignota, DAWN, Matthew Dear, Nina Kravitz, Machinedrum, Algiers, Mary Lattimore and DJ Paypal and more artists to be announced soon.
Denzel Curry European Tour Dates
12/03 – London, UK @ Roundhouse
12/05 – Dublin, IR @ The Helix
12/06 – Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy
12/08 – Tilburg, NL @ Poppodium 013
12/09 – Paris, FR @ Salle Wagram
12/10 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique
12/11 – Kölin, DE @ Carlswerk Victoria
12/13 – Hamburg, DE @ Docks
12/15 – Moskva, RU @ 1930 Moscow
Photo credit: Richard Saethang
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