Kanye West knows how to make an entrance, and the midnight release of his interactive video for “Black Skinhead” was no exception. The animated clip, which features a black-and-white CGI version of West moving and twisting in the darkness as he raps over a bass-heavy beat, is an innovative concoction of visual, digital, and musical experimentation.
In it, a notably buff West, 35, is shirtless except for a glowing chain around his neck, and his image is at times interspersed with images of growling dogs and other flashing black-and-white images.
The video also features a controversial image of three KKK members in black hoods, and by the end of the video, the digital West appears to be completely nude.
In addition to its button-pushing images, West also incorporated several interactive elements into the clip, including the option to adjust the speed of the sound while watching the clip. Fans can also take screengrabs from the video at any point.
Perhaps most tongue-in-cheek is the cursor, which changes into a hand with its middle finger up when users scroll over the video screen.
Earlier this month, a leaked version of the clip (stylized “BLKKK SKKKN HD”) made its way onto the Internet, causing West to launch into a rant on his Twitter account.
“The BLKKK SKKKN HD video that leaked yesterday was not the official version,” he tweeted. “Me and Nick Knight have been working on this video for 5 months and for creatives it’s heartbreaking when something like this happens.”
“The final version will be ready within the next week. So any website that may have the unapproved/ unfinished ruff. I ask you to please take it down,” he continued. “Allow me and Nick to give the world what we’ve been losing sleep over.”
“And to who ever leaked the video, F–k YOU!” he concluded his rant.
