Cape Verdean Afropop artiste and EMPIRE Records signee June Freedom has added to his musical oeuvre with the release of Thing For You and its accompanying official video. However, he is not alone in the hit as he is kept company by record label mate L.A.X. While the song itself is preoccupied with a romantic motif, the video adds verisimilitude as the energetic duo are seen taking turns to deliver their verses in a manner that is sensual and eye-catching.
In the background, as June Freedom spews his lines from California Sand Dunes, sun-tanned girls are pictured swaying their bodies in a slow-mo, rhythmical fashion. Scenes move to Nigeria at Ado Awaye, Iseyin, Oyo State, which is one of the only two suspended lakes on earth, where L.A.X. is seen rendering his bars and spicing up things while in close proximity with a dancing dark-skinned girl. Even though the video is shorn of sexually explicit content, its execution is seamless in style and thematically in line. You cannot help but admire the natural surroundings that serve as a backdrop, including the beautiful sunset that could be likened to the onset of amorous affection.
Produced and directed by Edgar Esteves of Blank Square Productions (Ice Spice, Davido, Nicki Minaj, Coi Leray, etc.), the video is shot in both the United States and Nigeria. With both acts hopping on the song from different parts of the world, a subtle case is made for the ability of love to transcend geographical boundaries.
“I’d been wanting to shoot with Edgar from Blank Square for some time and I’m sure ‘Thing for You’ will be the first of many videos we do together! I love how the producers were able to capture my parts in the US and LAX in Nigeria and still make it look seamless,” June Freedom reacts to the video shoot.
L.A.X was overcome with joy as he made reference to how he bonded with June Freedom at Empire Records. According to him, “our vibes and energy match and I am glad we were able to make this video happen”.
Also thrilled at a project well executed in different locations, he reacts in particular to his experience at Ado Awaye: “the hike up that mountain to get those shots was no small feat so I am happy to finally be able to share this with everyone”.
Thing For You is a part of EMPIRE Records’ first African compilation album Where We Come From, Vol. 1, which includes contributions from Kizz Daniel, Asake, Fireboy FML, BNXN, Olamide, Wande Coal, Bad Boy Timz, amongst others.
Watch the video here: