New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Jay-Z released music video "Family Feud" off 4:44 on Friday that features the rapper addressing the pain of infidelity as he appears in a confessional booth opposite his wife Beyonce.
Directed by Ava DuVernay and featuring a score by Flying Lotus, the star-studded visual opens with a quote from
James Baldwin: "The wretched of the earth do not decide to become extinct, they resolve, on the contrary, to multiply: life is their weapon against life, life all that they have."
More of a futuristic short film than a music video, the piece features an astounding list of stars, including Michael B. Jordan, Omari Hardwick,
Jessica Chastain, Thandie Newton,
America Ferrera, Brie Larson,
Rosario Dawson, Rashida Jones, Mindy Kaling, Constance Wu, and many more.
It begins in the year 2444, where a vicious murder takes place inside of a bedroom, but the story travels across generations, while the Constitution is revised by a group of women, including Susan Kelechi Watson, who plays an older Blue Ivy in the year 2050.
"America is a family and the whole family should be free," says Watson. "It's like I remember my father saying when I was a little girl: Nobody wins when the family feuds."
Part of the visual is set inside of a church, so the stunning piece carries a spiritual tone with natural light shining into the sanctuary. In these scenes, Hov walks down a marvelous aisle with Blue Ivy, while
Queen Bey looks elegant in all black at the altar.
Much like the topics explored on 4:44, the "Family Feud" visual carries a confessional theme. It is quite literal, in fact, as Jigga steps into a confessional booth with a striking 'Yoncé sitting on the other side. "I told my wife the spiritual shit really work," Hov raps on the track, to further enhance that motif.
The video was co-written by Shawn Carter and Ava DuVernay, and co-stars Trevante Rhodes, Emayatzy Corinealdi,
David Oyelowo,
Storm Reid, Niecy Nash,
Janet Mock, Hendry Sanders, and Irene Bedard.
"Family Feud" follows 4:44 clips for "Legacy," "Marcy Me," "Smile," "Moonlight," "Adnis," "4:44," "Kill Jay Z," "BAM," and "The Story of O.J.," among others.
