"Menace II Society (Black Timbs)"
In 2015, it’s never been easier for an artist to make a music video. The flip side of that, of course, is it’s never been easier for artists to make bad music videos, and the last few years have seen their share. Every week countless local musicians and filmmakers waste time, money and resources on music videos almost nobody will see; even the interesting or visionary ones rarely find much of an audience. The Internet has become such a wasteland of unwatched videos that every time I see a new one now, part of me can’t help but wonder what’s the point.
It’s always a thrill, then, to find a local music video that hits home how effective the medium can still be, and I can’t think of a better recent example than Reggie Bonds’ “Menace II Society (Black Timbs),” a ferocious introduction to a Milwaukee artist that most of the city isn’t familiar with yet. Filmed with nods to Mad Max by Cody LaPlant and Damien Klaven, both taking pages from the Robert Rodriguez playbook of making your budget look 10 times bigger than it actually is, it’s a post-apocalyptic nightmare that doubles down on the riotous energy of the track. Who is Reggie Bonds? For anybody who couldn't answer that question, here he is, waving torches, smashing other people’s property, chained to a leash, screaming at the camera and wearing filthy black boots that he has no intention of taking off before he enters your home. If there’s a more memorable way to make this local rapper's acquaintance I’m not sure I even want to know about it.
Stream the video below, and keep an eye out for details on Reggie Bonds’ upcoming full length.
