Everyone has some sort of fire inside them – that intangible spark, the passion inside your soul, the very inspiration to keep going no matter the obstacles that may stand in your way. In this new Roots video, Rik Cordero produces a mini-film, a cinematic narrative to accompany "The Fire" as its' score. Unlike any music video I've seen before (perhaps coming closest to M.I.A.'s epic "Born Free" video), Rik is definitely doing something different here. With a full cast of characters set in a fictional post-apocalyptic Europe just after WWII, Rik takes us through a bloody, violent and hopeless march toward the unknown. Ultimately it is the one character, a prisoner who's inner fire truly burns brightly, who survives, and receives what is supposed to represent the key to survival. I must admit that I didn't pick up on all the symbolism the first time around, but after a few watches I can definitely appreciate this ambitious piece of art. Here's what Rik had to say about the video: "'The Fire' is one of my favorite tracks off HIGO and really feels like something you'd hear in the theater. The line 'you don't say good luck, you say don't give up' inspired me to create a period piece narrative that stays true to the lyrics while adding another layer to the interpretation."
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hmmmmm. interesting to say the least.
wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww very nice
it is definitely different….. very creative and makes you think, which alot of videos lack today… but i would have still tried to convey the message from a street angle.but i also can appreciate the originality and for that i love it…2010
Epic. Fighting to remain yourself. Good luck, do not give up.
Good video but I’d like to see Black thought & John Legend in a foxhole or something….
no Dear God 2.0 but cool none the less. ROOTS !
This was definitely the stand out song on the album for me.
I’m really happy to see The Roots behind such a creative and unorthodox video. This is really something else.
In these days and times with so much death and war, I’ could see a different video for this. Interesting still to watch from an artistic point of view… If there was one without the kill scene, I might even be able to use it in the classroom.
Thumbs up!
Imma hafta watch it again later today.
those soldiers are so freaking hot!!!
This video is horrible, quit lying to yourselves. It should be called Pretentious: The Music Video.
what the fuck is this bullshit to good of a song
agreed. pretentious: the music video sounds about right
good trailer for the director. but i don’t why make it a music video. if i saw one of the roots it would have been a music video. it should a soundtrack to a trailer.
@ red poet & Spiff
What the would you guys prefer for a video? A ghetto gang war with nice cars and money with a close up shot of the emcee rapping in a hoodie? Those kinda videos are a dime a dozen, its about time we get something out of the ordinary. And I personally am glad that The Roots are behind it.
Very very wack! Disappointed!
its not bad but its definitely not as good as i expected
Were there power lines during that time?
No of course they didn’t have power lines because everyone had to walk around holding candles in 1945. Fuckin idiot how old are you..9?
The first transmission of three-phase alternating current using high voltage took place in 1891 during the international electricity exhibition in Frankfurt. A 25 kV transmission line, approximately 175 km long, connected Lauffen on the Neckar and Frankfurt.
I’m glad that they attempted to do something different, but in this case, since the message of the song is concrete, a less abstract video would have been my preference. just my opinion
well i dont want to watch it again.. obviously well done, but I don’t want to go on a war horror story that feels separate from the song.. I’d rather just hear the song.. thumbs up for being innovative and trying something new though
Snooze bar, who made this mess?
wackness…the song is an afterthought
Feels like I have two Chrome tabs open and I need to turn off the volume in one of them.
@Quiz, I agree. This shouldve been a silent film with the Roots over it. I liked Born Free a lot more. Not bein a hater, just sayn….
Odd video. ‘The Fire’ is hot though, my most listened to track alongside HIGO and Dear God.
hmmmmmmmmmmm,that´s great!!!
Well, I looooooooooooooooooooooooooove this track on the new album by the legendary, but the video just seems off a bit. Atleast mute the talking as it’s interfering with this awesome track.
I don’t get it. Maybe I am not cool or something. But I have watched it twice and I am still lost. I love the Roots, but, in this case, the people saying they liked it might be victim to dickridingnosis, where they think everything with the Roots’ name on it is awesome. Since I cannot spend anymore of my life watching this, I have to say the video/short film is not good.
pretentious as hell. i like people tryin a different route but this video is just bad.
check the new blitz the ambassador video for a similar approach but a great outcome..
this video did some things to my Psyche, at first i didn’t get it but i watched it again and really tried to listen to the lyrics along with the vid and omg not only is it genius but its so damn sick and twisted that i can’t even enjoy it like a would like to.
Junk.
looking forward to the real video.
Whoever doesn’t get this video probably needs a literal translation for the lyrics since symbolism isn’t their strong point, good vid
like the article said its a piece of Art, like it or don’t
KD06 haha
I love the track, but not the vid.
I wonder if this was Rik Cordero’s or the Roots’ idea. If not, Cordero wasted their money on a bad warm-up to the epic war film playing in his head.
naw son…not feelin this video, where are the damn roots?? this jus feels like one of those videos u find on youtube when sum 1 syncs a song to a movie or something….i def enjoyed blitz’s video much moreee
：new york
I love the Roots.
The song is dopeness.
The video the same. I’m glad they tried something different to all the other bullshit videos out there.
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