New York natives, Lana Del Rey and A$AP Rocky, have caused quite a stir in the past couple of days. To start, the two recently released the music video for “National Anthem,” a video that grips at the national psyche with its reinterpretation of the often romanticized Kennedys and their ‘American Camelot.’ JFK is played by the nonchalant and ever composed A$AP Rocky, who dons his usual snapback and array of jewelry; Lana plays Marilyn Monroe in the video’s beginning, before later assuming the part of Jackie Kennedy. The video is highly political and everyone seems to have their own take on it. Even A$AP seems to be unable to put the video into exact words:
“We did a video together … [it's] some swag sh–,” he said. “I play JFK, she plays Jackie O, you know, some cool, trippy sh–, some really 2015 sh–. People gonna get it in like three years, and that’s the whole purpose of it.” (A$AP Rocky, Source: MTV News)
To be fair, Lana was the originator of the idea behind the video and it is probably safe to say that only she and the director truly understand the emotional and intellectual significance of each scene. Oversimplified, the video is a dark, brooding love story that wrestles with the status quo. But if a picture is worth a thousand words, then this video is worth thousands more.
And in addition to “National Anthem” A$AP and Lana have also collaborated on “Ridin,” a feel-good summer cruising song produced by the Kickdrums. The song makes expert use of Lana’s sensual voice and old-time sound, both of which are perfect complements to the insouciant beat and A$AP’s flow.
