Angel Haze makes a major leap forward with an emotional video for her Sia-assisted inspirational anthem "Battle Cry," arguably the strongest track on her debut album, "Dirty Gold," which was released in December of 2013 in frustration at her record company delaying the album multiple times. She said that "music is all I fucking have." Whatever your opinion is on Haze leaking her debut album to pressure her label to push up its release date, you've got to respect how driven she is. And, in Haze's extremely personal new video for "Battle Cry," you really get a sense of how she got that drive.
Raised in poor, sapped Detroit and now a resident of prospering New York, the 22-year-old rapper produces hip hop that's remarkable for its crunching collision of tones. Lyrics express sorrow as often as swank. The powerful track was produced by big time pop player Greg Kurstin and features "Dirty Gold"'s only guest, Sia, who handles chorus duties, so it's no surprise it's the rapper's most radio-friendly song to date. "Battle Cry" is sickly sweet and uplifting and it's an extremely personal song that sheds light on overcoming a tumultuous childhood, which she uses as motivation to be the best she can be.
"Battle Cry" highlight has a mighty message to begin with - overcoming a painful past to achieve a more perfect version of human imperfection - but Frank Borin's beautifully shot visual gives the music extra poignancy. Filmed near Joshua Tree National Park, the haunting clip shows Haze battling her demons and illustrates this back story and recounts Haze's journey from childhood to burgeoning "It" girl status on the music scene. Nevertheless, seeing Haze's trying journey underscores why she'd risk anything to get her message out there, perhaps best summed up by the lyric: "'Cause you only get one moment in this life to be great/ And you can give it your all despite what it takes."
We first find Haze alone on a desert highway as she walks down a long, abandoned road, but soon she relives episodes of her own troubled childhood experience with various forms, including being raised in a cult, suffering sexual abuse and attempting suicide. We see her progression from a wrist-cutting teen to the artist she's become, with vivid imagery to accompany the lyrics: "I been there, I'm still here, and I know how you feel." The video ends with her playing piano on the road, showing the effect music has had in empowering her. Watch the inspiring and powerful video below.
Raised in poor, sapped Detroit and now a resident of prospering New York, the 22-year-old rapper produces hip hop that's remarkable for its crunching collision of tones. Lyrics express sorrow as often as swank. The powerful track was produced by big time pop player Greg Kurstin and features "Dirty Gold"'s only guest, Sia, who handles chorus duties, so it's no surprise it's the rapper's most radio-friendly song to date. "Battle Cry" is sickly sweet and uplifting and it's an extremely personal song that sheds light on overcoming a tumultuous childhood, which she uses as motivation to be the best she can be.
"Battle Cry" highlight has a mighty message to begin with - overcoming a painful past to achieve a more perfect version of human imperfection - but Frank Borin's beautifully shot visual gives the music extra poignancy. Filmed near Joshua Tree National Park, the haunting clip shows Haze battling her demons and illustrates this back story and recounts Haze's journey from childhood to burgeoning "It" girl status on the music scene. Nevertheless, seeing Haze's trying journey underscores why she'd risk anything to get her message out there, perhaps best summed up by the lyric: "'Cause you only get one moment in this life to be great/ And you can give it your all despite what it takes."
We first find Haze alone on a desert highway as she walks down a long, abandoned road, but soon she relives episodes of her own troubled childhood experience with various forms, including being raised in a cult, suffering sexual abuse and attempting suicide. We see her progression from a wrist-cutting teen to the artist she's become, with vivid imagery to accompany the lyrics: "I been there, I'm still here, and I know how you feel." The video ends with her playing piano on the road, showing the effect music has had in empowering her. Watch the inspiring and powerful video below.
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