Good On Me - Jamiah

The biggest thing I’ve learned so far is the best things come when you’re least expecting it. They just come out of nowhere, when you’re set up for something different, and smack the shit out of you. Art has a way of doing that, especially music. I talk a lot about Rick Rubin, but he said that music has a way of transporting us instantly to feelings. People can make arguments for anything in the art world (it’s subjective), but Rubin attests music is a way of getting us there quicker than most mediums, and that resonated with me. There’s just ways that music can make us feel things we can’t describe.

I was lucky enough to see this video about five hours before it debuted on YouTube at a screening along with Lauren McClinton’s video for her single, “Make Up” featuring Tim Gent, and Tim Gent’s video for his single, “Get Down”. Superb music, incredible production value with support from the artist community, and seeing the visions come to life. They make me proud to show my Nashville badge in any room I’m in.

“Everything look good on me”

The story behind this song is what sold me. Jamiah told us it came from a day at the nail salon, when she went in to get a color she liked, but was talked out of it by the nail tech, saying, “This color wouldn’t look good on you. You should try something else.” Jamiah described her vulnerability at that moment, and how it caught her off-guard, and it honestly felt like her feelings were hurt. After she got back to her car, she had a moment of, “I look good in everything. How can she tell me what I look good in?” That moment of empowerment inspired this song, this video, and this energy. From the sound to the lyrics (“I turn a L to a win, I multiply it by ten" might be my new catchphrase) to the overall production, this is a star-studded, high-fashion affair.

After, I spoke with Graphic Designer and Creative Director for the video, Cole McDonnell. This was Cole’s first video heading creative direction, and flew into Nashville from Baltimore to share the occasion with the people who worked to make this happen. Shoutout to him, and shoutout to the whole production/glam team who put this together. This video is as fresh, daring, and bold; all adjectives I’d use to describe Jamiah. The dynamic scene changes are accompanied by outstanding 2D and 3D visual effects, but the fashion is what became highlight. “You can wear something you never typically would wear and you can create your vision,” Jamiah said before debuting. The array of outfits, and how they matched the backdrops, all fell into that energy of “No matter what, I’m looking good.”

Above all, Jamiah is another example of duality. Pre-show, people were going around and saying hi and catching up, and Jamiah was bubbly, vibrant, and just seemed so happy. And then to hear her story of somebody who has that kind of happiness being shut down at that moment over something they personally like? It’s heartbreaking. To take that experience, energy and all, and turn it into this moment of empowerment and strength? I could learn something from that. There was so much love and support in that room last night, and it was a small example of what I hope is a piece of Nashville’s future.

Typically, I don’t disagree with people who I highly respect, but I have a counterclaim to Mr.Rubin’s point. I’m learning that having the pieces to go along with the music (so-called “artist maintenance”) is really what creates that attachment to the soul, between artist and listener. Exploring other creative dimensions, refining those ideas, and having the guts to execute them. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to see this video. I knew I was going to see Tim’s video, and I had a hunch I would see Lauren’s video, but I had no clue I was going to see this.

These three will surely continue to make waves, but this was the video I had to come back and write about.

Watch the video for “Good On Me”

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Director/Editor - Talia Stewart

Creative Director - Cole McDonnell

DP/Coloring - Grant Ivie

PA/BTS - Drue Schnelle

Gaffer - Bryce Barker

Hairdresser - Jumoke Carr

Makeup - Jatesa Mayberry

Nails - Lias Lab 

Stylist - Natalie Jenè

Assistant To Stylist - XanZanXan