Sonny Gabriel and Scott Free, the duo that make up the local hip hop group No Hokum were never ones to bring us boring, material without substance-o
Sonny Gabriel and Scott Free, the duo that make up the local hip hop group No Hokum were never ones to bring us boring, material without substance-or substances depending on the song.
Last time we spoke with them they had just dropped an ode to a local strip club, and tracks centered around agoraphobia and “Easter Eggs.” You can read more on that here.
This time the pair has stretched their creativity and really delivered something people are going to be talking about.
No Hokum just dropped a song called “Up and Away” accompanied with intricate, stunning visuals that feature images of all the different murals around the city. It’s an ode to the Richmond Mural Project if you will.
The editing and production on the video was done very well. You hear the dup rapping, but your focus is drawn to all the creative, colorful artwork that is intertwined throughout.
“Up and Away” was directed by Sonny Gabriel and Darwin Tyde and shot by Darwin Tyde.
Here’s what No Hokum had to say about the video on their Facebook page, Dead Poet Productions:
“There is history here, seemingly like most but unlike all, this is Richmond, VA. The weathered and decrepit asphalt alleyways that reveal cobblestone underneath, the plaques with the stories of men and women who made their mark in time here, and the evolution of culture, art and music will convince your eyes, your ears and your mind that this is true.
But can there be history in the future? That hasn’t been written yet? History that will manifest itself at a later date in our time? I believe so. A story is being told on the walls of Richmond in the form of giant, vivid murals. Since the inception of the RVA mural project there has been over 60 murals created by dozens of artists from all over the world. These stories are political, some are satirical, some animated and some as real as touch, but all are mystifyingly unbelievable.
We have been blessed as artists ourselves to have access to the talent that has designed a backdrop so unusual and unconforming to narrate our music. We tribute a song and video to the unyielding desire for creativity and individuality in the hopes that everyone can find their space in time.”
