On the back of his 2020 debut, the five-track Wanted, Sierra Leonean American singer-songwriter Laik shares the two-sided video for Wantin and Stuck Inside, the EP’s introductory and closing tracks. The dramatic video is highly personified in the way that the seamless nature of Laik’s music is reflected as each song gets its own unique setting and story that flows into one another with ease. The sultry rhythms of Wantin are a perfect complement to Stuck Inside’s alluring bounce.
Starting off with Wantin, the video has a dreamy ambiance, opening up to a relatable and realistic scene of Laik sitting at the bar at a party, relaxing and flirting. The video takes a sharp plot twist when he gets kidnapped by a trio of women, giving way to the more dramatic Stuck Inside. Despite his imprisonment, Laik seems to relish being manhandled as he sings “they had us stuck inside, now I’m finna get stuck inside” a raunchy play on words revealing his happiness at coming out of lockdown. He manages to escape with guile that would rival any action movie star giving the video an exciting, movie-style ending.
Laik’s personality is on display for his listeners as he shows a more dynamic and playful side to accompany the soothing dance-floor ready hits he creates.