Words by Fatima Barrie
The music video for Fabolous’ “Flipmode,” featuring Chris Brown and Velous, is a star-studded visual that plays on Nike’s classic 2001 freestyle commercial. Directed by Gerard Victor, the colorful flashing lights video reveals an A-list cast of celebrities, from actors, to musicians and athletes, showcasing their best dance and b-ball skills. Blake Griffin, Odell Beckham Jr., Fat Joe, Lala Anthony, Trey Songz, T.I., Iman Shumpert, DJ Khaled and more, make a cameo in the dope visual. Throughout the video, scenes alternate from the stars to numerous dancers.
The 2001 Nike commercial “Flipmode” is based on, was directed by Paul Hunter, known for directing iconic and trailblazing music videos such as Pharrell and JAY-Z’s “Frontin’,” Aaliyah’s “One in a Million,” and The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize.” The fun freestyle commercial recreated a hip-hop instrumental of Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force’s record, “Planet Rock,” and featured street ballers and a long list of famed basketball players like Vince Carter, Lamar Odom, Jason Williams, and Rasheed Wallace showing off their expertise on the court. The popularity of the commercial even inspired a spoof scene in the film Scary Movie 2.
Watch the music video for “Flipmode” above.
