Always one to push the envelope, k-os returns to the scene with the brand new visual for his latest single, No Bucks. The unique video premiered today with Complex, following the August 17th release of the track – which is an ode to staying true to his craft and doing the work for the love, not the money. Directed by Dan Lemoyne (The Weeknd, 88 Glam, Jahkoy) and produced by Mad Ruk (Alessia Cara, Daniel Caesar, Jessie Reyez, Ed Sheeran, Future, Weeknd), the video displays k-os’ literal return to f*ck up the scene.
“There’s this common idea that to be a rapper you have to be from the city, and that to be perceived as ‘hard’ you need to create some kind of street identity,” comments k-os. “However, it may take a harder nerve and resolve to spend a few nights in nature under the stars alone. This music video investigates the idea that to get to know your city streets better you might have to leave them behind. Not for another city, but for a road less travelled. I never really focused too much on what everyone in my city was doing. Not because I didn’t enjoy their work, but because a lot of us Canadians are trained to imitate American sensibilities. I was never good at that. The concept of trying to be an original artist that doesn’t chase cash is obviously not something I invented. I just spend a lot of time in nature, and as far as the eye can see…money doesn’t grow on trees.”
k-os (aka Kevin Brereton) has been a renaissance man since he emerged in the early 2000s. He’s won three Juno Awards, been nominated for a Grammy, and even performed at the 2010 Winter Olympics. His music incorporates a wide variety of genres, including rap, funk, rock, and reggae. The lyrics frequently focus on promoting a “positive message” while at times expressing criticism of mainstream hip hop culture’s obsession with money, fame and glorification of violence. A musician as well as a producer, he has written and produced nearly every part of all four of his albums. Many of his tracks found the rapper singing, so much so that an argument could be raised about the genre to which k-os in fact belonged. And that’s just the way he likes it.
