ARTchitects: the architects of ART

What up world! Thank you tuning into Season 1 of ARTchitects. We'll be back with Season 2 in 2022.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taj sits down with award-winning director R.T. Thorne and author and cinematographer Jordan Oram. R.T. is the Creator, Executive Producer, and Producing Director of UTOPIA FALLS, a genre-bending, Afrofuturistic young adult science fiction series, that premiered as a HULU Original in 2020. Jordan has shot music videos for Drake, Usher, Coldplay, Ella Mai, Miguel and more, and recently self-published his own book, The Journeyman. The group discusses Squid Game, the work of Spike Lee, David Fincher and Terrence Malick, the making of Drake's God's Plan music video, and Jordan's new book. Follow @DirectedByRT and @JordanOramDP and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects content by following @ARTchitectsPod on Instragram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Taj welcomes Toronto-based artists TOBi and Kit Weyman. TOBi is a Nigerian-Canadian rapper and singer artist signed to RCA Records. His most recent album, Elements Vol. 1 won the 2021 Juno Award for Rap Recording of The Year. Kit is a director and actor who has quickly been making a name for himself in the music video world, receiving a Prism Prize nomination and collaborating with artists like Haviah Mighty, Emanuel, Jazz Cartier and Noah Reid.  The group discuss the TOBi and Kit's collaborative music videos "24 Remix", "Made Me Everything" and "Matter." They talk about fostering community and mentorship through filmmaking and the Toronto movies they want to see get made.  Follow @SincerelyTOBi and @KitKnows and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects content by following @ARTchitectsPod on Instragram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Taj and Dean welcome Daps, a director who has quickly become one of the hottest hip-hop filmmakers around. His breakthrough moment came when he got the opportunity to direct a music video for "Bad And Boujee" for the Atlanta rap-trio Migos. Since then Daps has worked with some of rap's biggest superstars: Lil Baby, Young Thug, Stormzy, Headie One, Lil Uzi Vert and more. Daps discusses growing up in Nigeria and England, playing college basketball and giving up his NBA dreams, regretting not playing Kanye his music, and writing treatments for Director X. He also breaks down the stories behind the "Walk It Talk It" and "Bad And Boujee" videos. Follow @FlexGodDaps on Instagram and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects content by following @ARTchitectsPod on Instragram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taj and Dean welcome Kajal — an exciting new voice in filmmaking. Growing up being influenced by Bollywood and her grandfather (an aspiring filmmaker himself) Kajal got her start working at Complex where she quickly found success directing a documentary on the then-nascent Billie Eilish. In 2020 she had her breakthrough moment, directing the video for Megan Thee Stallion's New York Times op-ed 'Why I Speak Up for Black Women.'  Follow @kajal.mov on Instagram and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects content by following @ArtchitectsPod on Instagram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taj and Director X welcome filmmaker Joseph Kahn — the man behind some of the most iconic pop music videos of all time. The two-time Grammy winner has created one of the most prolific and distinctive bodies of work in the art of music video, working with artists like Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, Eminem, Lady Gaga and George Michael. Joseph discusses dropping out of NYU film school, cutting his teeth in music videos with local Houston hip-hip artists and his viral unauthorized fan-film 'Power/Rangers'. Follow @JosephKahn on Instagram and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects content by following @ArtchitectsPod on Instagram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Taj and Director X welcome esteemed director and long time friend Benny Boom. Benny has had a storied career, making music videos for the likes of Nicki Minaj, Nas, Lil Wayne, Keyshia Cole, 50 Cent and Meek Mill, and notably directing the Tupac Shakur biopic, All Eyez On Me.   Benny digs into his early years growing up in violent West Philidelphia while trying to stay out of trouble. The group reminisces about their early years working together in the heyday of music videos, where Benny was Director X's assistant director and close collaborator. Benny talks about stepping away from assistant directing and finding his voice as a director, and shares stories about working with Nicki Minaj and Keyshia Cole. The group also get into Benny's work in TV and film, where Benny shares the important lessons and experiences he's learned from that world.  Follow @BennyBoom on Instagram and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects content by following @ArtchitectsPod on Instagram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World-renowned director and photographer Floria Sigismondi joins Taj and Dean for a career-spanning discussion of her work. Floria recounts her early years growing up in small-town Ontario to Italian opera singers and the mistake that led her to fall in love with photography. The group chat about Floria's most iconic music videos for the likes of David Bowie, Interpol and more. She also walks through the making of ‘Aria' — her recent film for Gucci, co-directed with Alessandro Michele. Follow @FloriaSigismondi on Instagram and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects content by following @ArtchitectsPod on Instagram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taj and Karena Evans welcome legendary photographer and music video director Nabil Elderkin to the podcast. Nabil discusses growing up surfing in Australia, his famous story of purchasing Kanye West's domain name, working as Kanye's photographer and cutting his teeth into music videos. They also chat about Gully — Nabil's newly released debut feature film, starring Amber Heard, Jacob Lattimore, Jonathan Major and Kelvin Harrison Jr. Nabil talks about the thrills and challenges of making his first movie, and how Travis Scott ended up in the film. Follow @Nabil on Instagram and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects content by following @ArtchitectsPod on Instagram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian recording artist and singer/songwriter Daniela Andrade joins Taj Critchlow and Dean Rosen to talk about how she got her start posting Nirvana and Radiohead covers on Youtube, to now amassing nearly 2 million subscribers. Daniela talks about embracing her passion for music despite growing up in a strict Christian household, and collaborating with her partner and Oscar-nominated director Jeremy Comte.  Follow @danielaandrade on Instagram, and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects episodes by following @artchitectspod on Instagram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Director X, Taj Critchlow and Dean Rosen introduce one of the most exciting names in the music video game right now: Kid. Studio. Directing duo Glenn Michael and Christo Anesti have worked with everyone from Vince Staples, French Montana, Future, Post Malone, Bryson Tiller, Big Sean, and more. In this episode, Kid. Studio talk shining a light on Toronto's underground scene in their breakout video for The Weeknd's “King of the Fall,” directing legends like Slick Rick and their foray into the world of visual effects. Follow @kidstudio_ on Instagram, and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects episodes by following @artchitectspod on Instagram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taj and Karena Evans sit down with a longtime friend and collaborator, choreographer Tanisha Scott. Working with some of the biggest names in music and film like George Clooney, Jodie Foster, Spike Jonze & Jay-Z, Tanisha talks about her experience as a woman of color in the industry and how she stays motivated to create. Follow @karenaevans and @tanishscott on Instagram, and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects episodes by following @artchitectspod on Instagram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our conversation with Dave Meyers was so good we added a second episode. In Part 2 of our conversation with Dave Meyers, Taj, Director X, and Dave talk about everything from the making of Sicko Mode, venturing into photography and mentoring Kanye West.  Follow @davemeyers on Instagram, and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects episodes by following @artchitectspod on Instagram and TikTok. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taj and Director X take you inside the groundbreaking world of Dave Meyers and the inspiration behind some of the biggest and most inventive music videos ever made. From Missy Elliott and Outkast to Travis Scott, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, and Kendrick Lamar, get an inside view on the craft of making music videos from a truly visionary director.  Follow @davemeyers on Instagram, and stay up to date on all new ARTchitects episodes by following @artchitectspod on Instagram and TikTok.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Go inside the minds of the world's best directors, musicians, actors, and more. True visionaries who shape the world around us with their art. Hosted by world-renowned video creators Taj Critchlow, Director X, and Karena Evans who have collaborated with everyone from Drake, Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, and many more. Learn what inspires and challenges some of the most creative artistic minds on the planet starting May 26th.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.