Just ahead of Super Bowl Sunday, Pepsi has released its commercial featuring hip-hop legend Missy Elliott and Grammy Award-winning singer H.E.R.
The 30-second drop is a collaboration between the two and is a reimagined version of the iconic rock song, “Paint it Black.” The track was co-produced by Elliott and her frequent collaborator Timbaland. It features guitar and vocals by H.E.R. and verse from Missy. The video is a fresh attempt toward the classic and comes to life with a music video that brings in a new matte black Pepsi Zero Sugar can.
“I’ve been following H.E.R.’s career closely; her talent is undeniable. When the opportunity came up, to not just work together but collaborate and create something all our own, we had to make it happen,” Missy Elliot said. “I called up Timbaland and Sean Bankhead, I got the best of the best to make sure we brought the noise and did Pepsi Zero Sugar right.”
“Everything about this experience – from the music, to the shoot, to the collaboration with an icon like Missy – it was really special,” said H.E.R. “Pepsi gave us the creative liberty and platform to create this song and the video, it’s an honor and I think people will appreciate how real we tried to be with the final product.”
The video features choreography by Sean Bankhead and is inspired by the many amazing videos that Missy Elliott has produced in the past.
“Working with Missy Elliott is always an honor – few artists understand the power of dance like she does,” said Sean Bankhead, lead choreographer. “To be brought in on a project of this scale and be given the creative license to bring the idea of a Pepsi Zero Sugar world to life is epic. We did something special with this one, and I think fans all over the world are going to love this spot when they see it Super Bowl Sunday.”
Pepsi continues their history with pop culture and music as past commercials have featured Tina Turner and Bowie, Britney Spears, Pink and Beyoncé, Elton John and Melanie Amaro, Ray Charles, Robert Palmer and more.
During Super Bowl weekend, Pepsi will host the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl LIV party featuring Harry Styles with special guests Lizzo and Mark Ronson and parties at Pepsi Zero Sugar Neon Beach at the Clevelander Hotel – featuring Snoop Dogg, Lil Jon, Fat Joe, Farruko and many more.
