Chapman’s “NASA”: A Rap Odyssey
Musicians have been putting more effort into their music videos today than ever. In a culture where visuals mean more than meets the eye, it is amplifying the musical experience.
Trayce Chapman is a Denver-based rapper who’s proven his worth as an artist. His discography is full of satisfying rap albums such as the Contraband series and Exotic Birds. His participation on BET’s Amplifind Contest showcased his skills as an African-American artist worth following. Now, he is contributing to the sci-fi industry in a cross-media dimension above the ground level of imagination.
Chapman’s new video for “NASA” is a cross between sci-fi films and rap music. His lyrical skills as an artist are creative towards his image. This quality is valuable in an artist and deserves more spotlight. This song warns the industry that he’s on another planetary level of music making. He’s been working his way up to be “way way up like NASA” and now he’s made his declaration.
About the Video
The music video is directed by Steven “So Knoworries”. It is filled with great cinematography and has some entertaining comedic beats. The main story follows Chapman negotiating with a white businessman over a contract, spitting his bars to the suit. It becomes clear that Chapman is on a different level of communicating; he’s rapping as a way to prove to the suit that he’s better than he may think. There’s no way to oppress him, he’s on a higher level than the suit with the money. Not only is Chapman breaking an interstellar barrier between music and film, he’s also breaking a racial barrier.
The lyrics pay homage to classic sci-fi hits. The line “gotta phone home” is a clear and clever reference to Spielberg’s E.T. film. He even compares his “big guns” to what would be seen in a Halo videogame.
The beat is ordinary trap-drums but is supported by twangy effects. It’s a sound that could be heard on any Travis Scott album. Optimistically, Chapman’s timing and tempo on lyrics are stellar and deserve the praise. He is at a higher level than people may think. He’s playing “Chess not checkers” with his music, meaning that there’s more complexity to his music than an average rapper.
Overall, the cinematic direction by Steven “So Knoworries” gave the song the mise-en-scene of a Nolan film that obtains the power to transcend a respective genre. It complimented the talent of Chapman so well and added more hype for his future contribution to the rap game. “NASA” has made the hype for Chapman’s upcoming Contraband 3 album more exciting.
For more Trayce Chapman, follow his Spotify and Youtube.
For more updates on the newest music, check out our site!
- McKinley Dixon’s New Album Hits Home with Love & Jazz - May 7, 2021
- Trayce Chapman’s New Single “NASA” Transcends Rap & Film - May 1, 2021
- Taylor Castro Brings a “Hurricane” to Indie Pop: New Single Out - April 16, 2021
