Tue. October 15, 2013
It's the newest form of narcissism, and superfly gay rapper Cazwell's latest hip hop dance track, 'No Selfie Control', is poking fun at America's obsession with the selfie.
"It reflects our ever-growing need to be viewed as popular and attractive," asserts Cazwell, a Massachusetts native; himself, a product of the Internet age.
Cazwell became a YouTube sensation after a million people in a single week viewed his 'Ice Cream Truck' music video. He has since earned hipster credibility with a steady flow of danceable hip hop tracks - including 'Rice & Beans' and 'I Seen Beyoncé At Burger King.'
With hilariously catchy lyrics set against a minimalist retro-funk track and smooth playa beat, 'No Selfie Control', is capitalizing on the craze.
"'No Selfie Control' is a heartfelt track that was written for everyone on Instagram that is in love...with themselves," said the rapper.
Cazwell has been described as "what would have happened if Eminem had grown up on Madonna's front lawn."
Watch 'No Selfie Control' released, Oct. 15.
'No Selfie Control' is Cazwell's first collaboration with up-and-coming Viennese producer Dizzy Bell. In it, Cazwell sings, "If you could see me like I do, you'd be in love with me too." Though meant to be funny, it's an accurate reflection of a generation that has become obsessed with attracting the spotlight. No attention is bad attention, except for, well, no attention. One of the main ways to attract followers, especially among males, is wearing minimal clothing that shows off an impressive physique.
Even Cazwell flashes his bod in the song's music video, directed by Athena Maroulis. He doesn't deny that it's done to get more people to view his video. It's even why he brought in Maroulis to direct. "I worked with her before on my Here-TV 'Boombox' show and on my 'Rice and Beans' video (directed by Marco Ovando). I knew she understood the sex/comedy approach I wanted to take for this song."
'No Selfie Control' is the fourth single release from Cazwell's soon-to-be-released Hard 2 B Fresh album. It follows this past summer's top 15 Billboard Club/Play hit 'Guess What?', Cazwell's gnarly, horn-ridden electrocollaboration with British pop star Luciana. It's intentionally a very different sound from the first single.
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