Video: Kanye West "Love Lockdown" (HQ)
Posted by dantana on Oct 10, 2008
The video for Kanye West's much talked about (and played) song, "Love Lockdown," premiered yesterday on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Now you may ask yourself, "Ellen?" But when you think about it, it really does makes sense. Here we have a Pop artist who has made a tragic love song with universal appeal, what better place to premiere it than Ellen or Oprah? (The answer is Ellen) Each move is like a game of chess and Kanye is playing like a pro, but what else is new. The video is pretty interesting, depicting Mr. West chilling in a living room when all of a sudden indigenous people start banging on drums and running around...yeah. Kanye introducing AND peforming "Love Lockdown" on Ellen, after the jump.
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Comments (70)

Rasputin: ...
I dig Kanye. He's probably my favourite artist. If I'm being real though, Graduation was useless. It didn't come close to gettin' the rotation CD or LR got and to be honest I never feel like playing it these days. It's not the change in style, the electro stuff, the over stylised vids etc.. it's the fact that it was shallow, narcissistic nonsense that was devoid of any real lyrics or the 'heart on sleeve' stuff that made up a lot of his previous work. I wanna hear kanye coz he has stuff to say, because hes opinionated, because hes sensitive to what's goin on etc... i dont wanna hear him coming with this tripe. It's not creative. I truly wish that people would stop saying it is. The lyrics are straight from a teen pop song and the vocoder was played out when cher was using it to make her sound contemporary 10 years ago. I want kanye to switch it up but not at the expense of good lyrics and good music (no pun intended). Seriously any Kanye fans thinkin that this is up there with some of his best work listen to the moe creative tracks (addiction, crack music, drive slow) on LR and come back to me. Ye sold records way before he had deisgner kitchens in his video and shocking vocoder choruses (Yep, Good Life, you're in there too). re-invention seems important to him but can we not confuse it with enhanced creativity.
4
October 14, 2008 - 01:46:55 PM
Nadiyah: ...
All i can say is... i like it....!!!! Its typical Kanye....outside the norm...non conformist...samples...it has an 80's feel to it...in which anyone who has a tru luv for music can appreciate...Kanye keep doin it Bro' class o' 1995 all the way...Lol!!!
-Nadiyah
-Nadiyah
5
October 12, 2008 - 03:09:06 PM
KiN CAMELL: ...
PEACE,FROM THE BAY.
& AN RADICAL DAY OF THE SUN TO ALL.
G.O.O.D MUSIC=AWESOME.
COME VIBE(YOU TOO);
KIN CAMELL(GOOGLE THAT)
MYSPACE.COM/KINSNSPACE
KIN CAMELL@IMEEM.COM
PEACE TO YOU & YOURS.
& AN RADICAL DAY OF THE SUN TO ALL.
G.O.O.D MUSIC=AWESOME.
COME VIBE(YOU TOO);
KIN CAMELL(GOOGLE THAT)
MYSPACE.COM/KINSNSPACE
KIN CAMELL@IMEEM.COM
PEACE TO YOU & YOURS.
6
October 12, 2008 - 03:01:42 PM
Nhate Backwards: ...
Those of you who can't connect the vid to the song are not thinking hard enough!!!! the white room is sterile, plain, empty, colorless and kanye in the room is very still... even the furniture is covered. It is untouched and separate, he uses the couch but he is still separate from it.... Also a world apart, just under the surface is great deal of locked down feelings... the tribal people. While the modern world his stifled by "the way things should be", the tribal folks are reppin' passion and movement and what things FEEL like, the people are kanye's thoughts, under the facade. but the real world is what the chick he's singing about is getting,(the cold shoulder) and inside (he is running wild) and then she is intimidating giant and colorful, to much for the small tribal people. They can't compare to her (think of the first line of the song) they can't please her... they must find something elsewhere. go to myspace.com/n8backwards and see if you can interpret my videos, leave a comment with your explanation for "Action Packed". Americans usually don't like to think much, but I believe in you.
7
October 12, 2008 - 02:13:50 PM
c.lit: ...
i think kanye should have his guys in the back to wear masks of clinton, bush, mccain and obama while beating on those drums at his next performance...i think that would be hott!!! kanye is real because he is not scared to explore the creative freedom of music. so to all of you who "Just Dont Get It!"(sounds familiar?)youre more than likely part of the Y generation where everything is about duplication & imitation...it time for a change- so get right or get left!!
9
October 11, 2008 - 09:52:08 PM
Dot Techno Mania: ...
And further more... MTV and BET aren't the places to deliver art to the masses... Ellen and Oprah are much better options. and of course Okay Player!
10
October 11, 2008 - 08:41:47 PM
Dot Techno Mania: ...
I understand why people don't like the song and can't get over the song sonically. Try to look behind the medium and tune into the energy of the piece art. It's beautiful and very heartfelt. He didn't do this for the sake of Hip-Hop or for Pop or whatever. This is an art piece and I absolutely love how he told that story. The video is amazing as well, because of what it implies and all the things he makes you see that are unseen by showing you visuals that you can.
I love it fir what it is...
It seemed to me that this was way less mechanical than anything on that graduation album. i love that we are seeing something so different from his past, but not so different from the soul of Kanye...
Thanks for putting a little more of yourself out there for us to understand... perhaps if we understand you we can start to understand more of ourselves...
I love it fir what it is...
It seemed to me that this was way less mechanical than anything on that graduation album. i love that we are seeing something so different from his past, but not so different from the soul of Kanye...
Thanks for putting a little more of yourself out there for us to understand... perhaps if we understand you we can start to understand more of ourselves...
11
October 11, 2008 - 08:39:16 PM
crooked kid: ...
his first two albums are CLASSIC.
graduation was some synth mambo jumbo with some stupid tracks.
now this auto-tune-lyrics-don't-make-sense crap?
what happenned to the YE who gave us ROSES, or JESUS WALKS?!
graduation was some synth mambo jumbo with some stupid tracks.
now this auto-tune-lyrics-don't-make-sense crap?
what happenned to the YE who gave us ROSES, or JESUS WALKS?!
12
October 11, 2008 - 06:22:20 PM
DEEP of the 2 HUNGRY BROS: ...
"Days Go By"
remember that song by Dirty vegas, very reminiscent of that, especially where Chapelle throws the chick out the car. No I like this track. It has so much remix potential on the house scene. That's gonna be on beatport or is it beatportal... whatever. dope!
This Video is fantastic. Though, it would be dope if he just produced it and let John Legend sing it.
Respect
I love the African warrior theme in a time when people at McCain Rallies are getting outrageously afraid of an "ARAB" running the country.
People's ignorance is at it's highest! Thank you TV!
remember that song by Dirty vegas, very reminiscent of that, especially where Chapelle throws the chick out the car. No I like this track. It has so much remix potential on the house scene. That's gonna be on beatport or is it beatportal... whatever. dope!
This Video is fantastic. Though, it would be dope if he just produced it and let John Legend sing it.
Respect
I love the African warrior theme in a time when people at McCain Rallies are getting outrageously afraid of an "ARAB" running the country.
People's ignorance is at it's highest! Thank you TV!
13
October 11, 2008 - 03:14:13 PM
ROy From Mexico: ...
i'm thinking tha the new kanye's video is too good but on other ocation he makes more good shits mmmm i'm too happy coz' kanye west will be sing his songs on Mexico
14
October 11, 2008 - 11:05:25 AM
ROy From Mexico: ...
I thinking that kanye's video is too god but cannot explain and evrçery time ask me why kanye does it kind of tracks ja ja ho hell yeah on 17 octuber 2008 kanye west at Palacio de Los Deportes Mexico 2008
15
October 11, 2008 - 11:04:00 AM
1karma: ...
i like the song, but the video i feel doesn't have a really deep meaning. then again it's common for some people to want something to be there that isn't, or want to see something more than there really is. newho, the video is interesting to say the least i just see it as him going crazy, alone, with only his thoughts. i like the song a bit better than the video.
17
October 10, 2008 - 11:52:18 PM
se.po: ...
i realy do not know what it is...mmmm? but i liked it....
so i hope that his new lp is not only experimental shit..ya know i am talkin bout....
peace & 1 luv for power soulrap to the whole world!!!
nuffsaid!!
so i hope that his new lp is not only experimental shit..ya know i am talkin bout....
peace & 1 luv for power soulrap to the whole world!!!
nuffsaid!!
18
October 10, 2008 - 01:29:40 PM
Myonie: ...
Until I read kw's response I would've never tied the song into culture(love) or the video, always assumed it was about a woman(women)but I like the song even more now and kinda wish it went a little harder. Still don't see how the technicolor giant women play into the video tho, lol.
19
October 10, 2008 - 09:42:28 AM
seshie: ...
very 80's minimalist.
wwww.myspace.com/kokayi (found art mixtape free to the world soon)
wwww.myspace.com/kokayi (found art mixtape free to the world soon)
20
October 10, 2008 - 08:19:10 AM
messagefrom kw: ...
mr westsidemo, this video has everything to do with the song, and everything to do you, me, every american. let us not forget that this country is founded on the principles of assimilation for all groups and races under the guise of equality for all. but we each are derived from some cultural origin. for me, it is predominately west/central african. as with most blacks, i'm not exactly sure, however, the culture(love) of my non-american roots is an essential piece for my self-identity and self-empowerment. as an american, social pressures and subtle encourage me to lockdown my culture, (my love), in favor of some all-purpose generic nationalistic american pride culture. lockdown your love, you lose. blindly obeying and submiting to the will of "them". yeah, i said it...
21
October 09, 2008 - 02:24:02 AM
messagefrom kw: ...
to all the professional recording artists,musicians,and popcultureicons in the previous comments, thank you for the well thought out, well grounded constructive critism. it is important for me as a conduit of expression to allow the insight of others (suplerfluous and otherwise) to positively shape my creative journey.
ps-thank you outkast for not being scared, and thank you miles davis for listening within, and so many other pioneers in the lifeblood business.
ps-thank you outkast for not being scared, and thank you miles davis for listening within, and so many other pioneers in the lifeblood business.
22
October 09, 2008 - 02:08:44 AM
KiN CAMELL: ...
PEACE,FROM THE BAY!
KANYE=CREATIVE+INNOVATIVE.
RESPECT THE TRIBE VIBE.
COME VIBE(YOU TOO);
KIN CAMELL(GOOGLE THAT)
MYSPACE.COM/KINSNSPACE
KIN CAMELL@IMEEM.COM
PEACE TO YOU & YOURS.
KANYE=CREATIVE+INNOVATIVE.
RESPECT THE TRIBE VIBE.
COME VIBE(YOU TOO);
KIN CAMELL(GOOGLE THAT)
MYSPACE.COM/KINSNSPACE
KIN CAMELL@IMEEM.COM
PEACE TO YOU & YOURS.
23
October 08, 2008 - 09:56:34 PM
Random Black Guy: ...
the colorful woman at the end remind me of Tron. haha.
And dont forget Stevie Wonder used the voice box (first vocoder) back in the day before EVERYBODY...
most hip hop in 2008 is short fused anyways, so pop fizz.
And dont forget Stevie Wonder used the voice box (first vocoder) back in the day before EVERYBODY...
most hip hop in 2008 is short fused anyways, so pop fizz.
24
October 08, 2008 - 06:39:55 PM
scrape n da bay: ...
The beat is simple and loops are fucking hot, this will be a radio/club banger for at least a month. I have to say I like the voice affects, but I miss hearing Kanye flow.
25
October 08, 2008 - 04:23:07 PM
xeventhson: ...
True that Digable but I wasn’t comparing the technique or the process of how it was done. I was just emphasizing on the fact that voice effects is nothing new and yeah some people are definately masters at as you mentioned. But its nice to see artist to step out the box and challenge themselves. Some artist try to be so different and avant-garde that its predictable. So I definitely wasn’t comparing the execution of the voice effects to the masters. But I definitely like the direction this album is going. But thanx Digable for making that point.
One,
Xeventhson
One,
Xeventhson
27
October 08, 2008 - 02:04:29 PM
DigablePlanet: ...
NONONONO.....to xeventhson and all the other cats saying this "autotune" effect is the same effect that troutman and Teddy Riley used: IT IS NOT. Kanye and TPain and the rest are singing it and then changing it with a computer AFTER IT WAS RECORDED NORMALLY, whereas Roger Troutman and Teddy Riley were singing while playing a keyboard that has the tube that goes into their mouth. It still took talent because they were good singers or at least good keyboard players. You might see TPain and Snoop and Kanye in their videos with a keyboard with the tube in their mouth, but that's not real.
28
October 08, 2008 - 01:46:17 PM
xeventhson: ...
People have are still trip'n over the vocoder effects Kanye uses. Tpain was not the only one who ever used that effect. Even before Roger Troutman from Zapp people were using effects on there voice. I think it sounds dope and its nice for Kanye west to give us albums that are individually different. Real hip hop heads and music fans love to study artist like that. Miles Davis was dissed for experimenting with funk and people are jocking that work now. If he's pissing off people he must be doing something right. Kepp doing your thang Kanye.
One,
One,
29
October 08, 2008 - 09:51:57 AM
Diddy Kong: ...
I have to had it to Kanye for doing something different starting from Graduation. I know I'll get tarred and feathered for saying this, but he's kinda reminding me of De La Soul. Not in the sense of sounding exactly like them but in the sense that he seems to be adopting their style of not limiting himself to one style each and every album. It's sorta like a middle finger to the status quo. For that alone Kanye, you've got my props.
30
October 08, 2008 - 08:24:52 AM
oh no: ...
@electric.gangstarr
I'm sorry, but i'm from germany. You can write your next comment in german and then we can test your german, bi*ch!
I'm sorry, but i'm from germany. You can write your next comment in german and then we can test your german, bi*ch!
31
October 08, 2008 - 07:55:42 AM
Jules78: ...
I'm a huge Kanye fan and I like the song but the video is wack.
33
October 08, 2008 - 05:47:04 AM
westsidemoe: ...
must admit i was hatin on this song when i frist heard it but the vid is ill tho ! it has nothing 2 do with the song but its dope fuck!
34
October 08, 2008 - 02:39:16 AM
Austin Cat: ...
meh. i dont like it @ all.
Kanyes got a nice crowd following.
so people will like it regardless.
Kanyes got a nice crowd following.
so people will like it regardless.
35
October 07, 2008 - 11:47:52 PM
fresh.er.breath: ...
I am a kanye fan, and i have to say i'm not impressed. anyone who says this is innovative is wrong. because T-pain has been doing this for like two years now.
this is called marketing people, get over it. I'm sure there will be a hand full of good songs on the new album. peace
this is called marketing people, get over it. I'm sure there will be a hand full of good songs on the new album. peace
36
October 07, 2008 - 11:29:22 PM
happytrees: ...
not really minding that it's "not hip hop". I like more than one genre of music... who says you have to only do one thing in your career? shit, in an album?
like the song, video's kinda weird, but methinks the painted top heavy tribal ladies will win over some of the undecided.
hit or miss, props to ye for trying to do something different.
like the song, video's kinda weird, but methinks the painted top heavy tribal ladies will win over some of the undecided.
hit or miss, props to ye for trying to do something different.
37
October 07, 2008 - 11:13:31 PM
Nuncio: ...
This is simply just art. Musical and visual art. Kanye is experimenting with sight and sound. And if people have a problem wit' that then so be it. They don't call people music "artist" for nothin'.
I respect what he's doin'. At first I admit I was hatin' lol. But then I had to look at myself and see that yet I am who I am my physical appearance will change but not my soul nature. People will always recognize me by my character and that's what people are failing to see in Kanye.
Kanye is still Kanye at heart now as he was in the beginnin' it's just growth.
I respect what he's doin'. At first I admit I was hatin' lol. But then I had to look at myself and see that yet I am who I am my physical appearance will change but not my soul nature. People will always recognize me by my character and that's what people are failing to see in Kanye.
Kanye is still Kanye at heart now as he was in the beginnin' it's just growth.
39
October 07, 2008 - 08:47:33 PM
cdoakes: ...
The video has nothing to do with the song AT ALL. The only reference point is the fact that they are playing the drums. I'm disappointed.
40
October 07, 2008 - 08:46:37 PM
LizfromParis: ...
I can't stand the song
It's just awfull
Does the vocoder (or whatever the name of this digital transformation of voice is) the new trick when people cannot sing more than 2 notes?
For god sake he has to stop this now!
His videoclips are always OK or totally great but this time I feel like he wasted a good director for a wack song. Maybe he could have give his budget to a singer who worth it, what do you think?
It's just awfull
Does the vocoder (or whatever the name of this digital transformation of voice is) the new trick when people cannot sing more than 2 notes?
For god sake he has to stop this now!
His videoclips are always OK or totally great but this time I feel like he wasted a good director for a wack song. Maybe he could have give his budget to a singer who worth it, what do you think?
41
October 07, 2008 - 08:45:43 PM
cdoakes: ...
I'm a Kanye fan but this Video absolutely SUCKS! I hope he does what he usually does and has another version hidden somewhere because this is NOT a good video at all.
42
October 07, 2008 - 08:45:08 PM
Putuma: ...
Kanye is on some "Lipstick on a pig" shit !...I'm not sold on this ! Dude should just come out of the closet and do his electronica/disco stuff; I'm sure trance and gay clubs will bump it tho'.
45
October 07, 2008 - 07:46:17 PM
Saint15: ...
The video is off the chain. It's visually superior and it makes you think. Kanye is really a great visual artist. Forget about trying to categorize the music. Just ask yourself if it's good or bad.
46
October 07, 2008 - 06:58:36 PM
Kid EroS: ...
i will say that this is very innovative. And I love the fact that all Kanye West's albums are different than the last. However, i don't know how i feel about this particular song. I don't hate it. I don't love it. Maybe this song is a personal narrative. Regardless of this song, I think he's still a great artist overall.
47
October 07, 2008 - 06:50:01 PM
nYp: ...
hmmm...im not sure what i think of the video, it doesnt go with the song and i dont know what hes trying to portray the indigenous ppl as...but i like the drums in the song, but the live version sounded better as far as vocals go. this isnt hip hop ppl in the strictest sense its essentially a pop song by an innovative hip hop artist. and whether u liked his hip hop better or not one thing u cant deny is ye is innovative and an evolving brave artist, he is opening doors for ppl with this to do whatever they want musically as well.
49
October 07, 2008 - 06:01:42 PM
ayceboogie: ...
this song is on a constant loop on my ipod. luvin it, ye!
50
October 07, 2008 - 05:38:24 PM
Emo: ...
Is this the beginning of an 'emo' hip-hop faze?
I wonder how the theme of the video ties in with the song...? A bit confused.
I wonder how the theme of the video ties in with the song...? A bit confused.
51
October 07, 2008 - 05:14:30 PM
Nile: The SoapBox Killer: ...
If I don't like this song, am I a "hater"?
Kanye as an artist can make anything his music ego desires but must I like it?
This may seem stupid but why does this feel less "hip-hop" than "Hey Ya"?
I am admittedly out of the latest trend in pop music but WTF IS THIS?
Last question:
WHAT THE HELL IS KANYE WEST DOING PREMIERING THIS VIDEO ON ELLEN?
The Stock Market Vs. Kanye West's Vs. The Philadelphia Eagles Play calling.
The more I try to understand the less I do.
Kanye as an artist can make anything his music ego desires but must I like it?
This may seem stupid but why does this feel less "hip-hop" than "Hey Ya"?
I am admittedly out of the latest trend in pop music but WTF IS THIS?
Last question:
WHAT THE HELL IS KANYE WEST DOING PREMIERING THIS VIDEO ON ELLEN?
The Stock Market Vs. Kanye West's Vs. The Philadelphia Eagles Play calling.
The more I try to understand the less I do.
52
October 07, 2008 - 05:13:51 PM
GothamCityHoodlum: ...
The video is ok....the song is WACK! I dont care wat yall say... I want the old 'Ye back!!!!
53
October 07, 2008 - 05:07:52 PM
Frank "FC THE TRUTH": ...
Great Song. Greater Video.
Typical Kanye "above reality" type ish!
gotta love it.
Typical Kanye "above reality" type ish!
gotta love it.
54
October 07, 2008 - 03:15:25 PM
HipHopBabie: ...
I think the video is dope, but I just can't force myself to like this song!!...It's alright until it gets to the chorus, drives me nuts!
56
October 07, 2008 - 02:41:14 PM
Boombaye: ...
big ups to Kanye for doing something different both visually and musically. I agree, it's not hip hop but being an artist is all about experimentation and finding yourself. Hip hop is in the state it is because it's been formulated and when you have a bunch of cats copying the same formula you loose the spirit of the art. Be yourself, do something different to inspire others. I guess yall rather see another poorly directed green screen video with nursery grade lyrics, rented cars, fake modelin bitches and bad fx. big ups for bringing that tribal shit back. stop hating if it's not hip hop.
57
October 07, 2008 - 02:05:40 PM
kyngbld: ...
I don't like it personally, but he definitely has a universal pop hit on his hands now
58
October 07, 2008 - 02:05:11 PM
dj crossfader: ...
Ellen says I love that song than obviously its WACK I mean what the fucjk does she know about hip hop lol video does not even make sence kanye is garbage he cant rap and as for his singing damn what a joke
61
October 07, 2008 - 12:27:07 PM
RellDef: ...
Now, I can somewhat see how this video correlates to the song, but on a deeper scale. People aren't going to get this because the meaning behind it is so much deeper than the face value..... it's definitely different and pretty good though
62
October 07, 2008 - 12:25:50 PM
rawbiz: ...
The song is nice, everyone is harping on it. Hardly anyone has posted positive comments since the song was posted and now everyone is hating on the video, someone's even talking about how he needs a new interior designer,people are hating like Kanye fucked their girl, then got up and whoop their ass, the song is good and the video is decent.
64
October 07, 2008 - 12:22:08 PM
electric.gangstarr: ...
Your english is the baddest...
But yeah that video sucks
But yeah that video sucks
66
October 07, 2008 - 12:13:29 PM
Tariq L Wasi: ...
interesting. def feeling to glow in the dark chicks at the end. bet ellen like that part too
67
October 07, 2008 - 12:09:04 PM
J-ack: ...
This song gets worse every time I hear it. The piano sounds awful. And the 'singing'. Kanye needs to sack his interior designer too.
68
October 07, 2008 - 12:03:01 PM
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