SixSaidIt Honours Ballroom Culture In Paris Is Burning-inspired “Lagos Is Burning”

Los Angeles-based British-Nigerian rapper SixSaidIt, whose genre-bending blend of rap has earned rave reviews marks a return today with a striking, high-energy Paris is Burning-inspired visual for her latest single Lagos is Burning. Directed by Brett Blackwell and accompanied by ballroom dancers Dylan Freeman, Sean Amen, and Zerrick Payne, the video serves as an ode to ballroom culture and the Queer community.

Speaking on the inspiration behind her new video, SixSaidIt shares,

“After watching the striking documentary ‘Paris is Burning’, a calling to continue expressing the powerful messages of race, gender, consumer culture and ‘otherness’ inspired me to not only write Lagos is Burning, but also create a visual celebrating the legacy of ballroom. Over the years, I continued to grow my ideas on a Pinterest board, until I was finally in a position to produce and execute it with the help of my best friend and art director Myro Marioghae. Utilizing my full creative potential, I carefully designed the set and aesthetic from the makeup, hairstyling, and wardrobe, to handpicking and sourcing each set piece from junkyards, Facebook marketplace, and local novelty businesses. Captured and directed by the talented Brett Blackwell, this truly homegrown DIY project has come to life and I’m excited to share it with the world.”

Lagos is Burning appears on Six’s recent album, Outside II, the follow-up and sequel to her debut EP, Outside, where she introduced listeners to different sounds influenced by her various hometowns. While Outside was an introduction to Six, Outside II solidifies her stance as a genre-flexible rapper unafraid to push the boundaries of hip-hop. The 13-song LP includes the singles Little Bit, which received a rousing remix from fellow Nigerian rapper Kah-Lo, as well as the Afropop-infused Choosey.

SixSaidIt was born and raised in the UK with roots in Atlanta and New York City. Because of her cosmopolitan background, Six presents a fresh take on global hip-hop by including her varying cultural influences in her music. Since embarking on her music career in December 2019, she’s been committed to showcasing this diversity by allowing her music to scribble outside of the lines. Six’s approach to hip-hop has built a diverse following by luring listeners in with what seems to be familiar and then capturing them with the discovery of sub-genres they may have not been exposed to before. Six identifies herself as a (h)it girl because her music and her image appeal to and influence the masses.

Watch the video for Lagos is Burning by SixSaidIt below.