kai crawford - visual mastermind
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photo by steed media service
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Video Director, Red Summer Photoplays
The music industry has evolved into a business where presentation is
everything and a song’s success is dependent upon the image and packaging.
With that in mind, filmmaker Kai “Flyy Kai” Crawford has helped artists
bring their ideas to life through the music videos he has directed for the likes
of Akon (“Locked Up”); 8 Ball & MJG (“Relax and Take Notes”); and T-Pain
(“I’m Sprung”).
A Clark Atlanta University graduate who earned his stripes interning for
both So So Def and LaFace Records, Crawford uses his talent behind the
scenes to make magic happen on the big screen.
“It’s very, very important for African Americans to get involved with hiphop
and R&B videos, because we’re in tune; we know what’s going on. Not
to say that other races aren’t [in tune], but we have a lot more authenticity to
[bring] to the table,” he says. “It’s more realistic and more believable, so that’s why I feel
like more African Americans should be attached to certain genres.”
A proven winner who received award nominations for his first major label project with
Akon’s “Locked Up” video, Crawford is also in high demand with Bad Boy Records thanks
to work he’s done with Gorilla Zoe and Yung Joc. He couldn’t be happier with the direction
in which his career is headed.
“I love it man. I wake up every day and I know I’m blessed. I’m my own boss, I make
my own rules, I set my own times and I just do me. I don’t have to listen to anybody,” says
Crawford.
- jason thompson
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