Frank Ocean releases “Pyramids” music video

Frank Ocean has released an official music video for “Pyramids.” The track was first released on June 7, 2012, as the second single from Ocean’s debut studio album Channel Orange, released on July 10. The 8-minute video features a cameo by guitarist John Mayer and direction from Nabil Elderkin, who previously worked on Ocean’s 2011 videos for “Novacane” and “Swim Good.” It includes scenes shot in the Mojave Desert in California and Nevada.

The surreal short film begins with Ocean drinking at a club, before pulling out a gun, unprovoked, and shooting all the bottles lining the bar’s shelves. Dazed and confused, he stumbles out of its entrance and hops on his motorcycle to make a getaway. He is seen driving down a desert highway lined by Joshua trees, heading toward a pyramid in the distance. As he makes his way through the arid landscape, he experiences vivid flashbacks or hallucinations of his night spent under the neon lights of a strip club, The Pyramid. The video concludes with Ocean running out of gas, leaving his bike behind, and continuing his journey on foot towards the megalithic structure on the horizon.

The video’s outro includes an excerpt from Ocean’s 2012 song “Voodoo,” which is also sampled in the closing track of Channel Orange, “End.” Check it out below.

Video via director Nabil Elderkin’s Vimeo.

Credits:

Director: Nabil Elderkin
Editor: Brandon Driscoll-Luttringer
Producer: Tara Ravazi
Director of Photography: Danny Hiele
Color: Marshall Plante
Post-Production: Bonnie Brae
Label: Def Jam

Related Articles:

Featured
Frank Ocean releases “Lost” music video
Frank Ocean releases “Lost” music video

The split-screen collage follows Ocean as he jet-sets around the world, intercut with footage from his Channel Orange Tour and recording studio sessions. Tyler, The Creator and Jasper Dolphin make brief cameos in the travel diary. The track was the fourth single from Ocean’s album Channel Orange, released in July 2012.

Frank Ocean wins two Grammy Awards
Frank Ocean wins two Grammy Awards

Channel Orange won ‘Best Urban Contemporary Album’ and “No Church in the Wild” won ‘Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.’

‘Channel Orange’ certified RIAA gold
‘Channel Orange’ certified RIAA gold

Frank Ocean’s debut studio album has sold over half a million RIAA-certified units since its release six months ago. It is Ocean’s second gold plaque to date, following the album’s lead single, “Thinkin Bout You,” certified in December 2012.

Frank Ocean nominated for six Grammy Awards
Frank Ocean nominated for six Grammy Awards

Frank Ocean has tied with Dan Auerbach, Fun., Mumford & Sons, Jay-Z and Kanye West for the most nominations at this year’s awards

Frank Ocean releases “Pyramids” music video
Frank Ocean releases “Pyramids” music video

The surreal, 8-minute video features direction by Nabil Elderkin and a cameo by guitarist John Mayer. Ocean is seen riding a motorcycle through the Mojave Desert and partying at the Las Vegas Strip. The track was the second single from Ocean’s album Channel Orange, released last July.

Frank Ocean releases ‘Channel Orange’
Frank Ocean releases ‘Channel Orange’

Frank Ocean’s debut album Channel Orange was initially set for release on July 16th, but is available now, a full week early on iTunes.

Frank Ocean performs “Bad Religion” on ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’
Frank Ocean performs “Bad Religion” on ‘Late Night with Jimmy Fallon’

The singer sported his signature bandana while singing "Bad Religion," a track from his new album Channel Orange.

Frank Ocean hosts ‘Channel Orange’ listening party in LA
Frank Ocean hosts ‘Channel Orange’ listening party in LA

From gathered reports of the event, we can start to gather an idea of what the record might sound like, even if we haven't heard it yet ourselves.

‘Channel Orange’ artwork, tracklist revealed
‘Channel Orange’ artwork, tracklist revealed

The artwork and track-listing for Frank Ocean's debut album Channel Orange has been released on the artist's Tumblr account.

Frank Ocean hosts ‘Channel Orange’ listening party in NYC
Frank Ocean hosts ‘Channel Orange’ listening party in NYC

From gathered reports of the event, we can start to gather an idea of what the record might sound like, even if we haven't heard it yet ourselves.

Listen to Frank Ocean’s new song “Voodoo”
Listen to Frank Ocean’s new song “Voodoo”

In a Tumblr post, Ocean shared a short, somber single influenced by his upbringing in New Orleans. It alludes to hardships endured in his youth, growing up without his father. The chorus interpolates the classic spiritual “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”

Frank Ocean shares “Thinking About You” music video
Frank Ocean shares “Thinking About You” music video

Ocean posted a new music video for his song “Thinking About You” on Tumblr. The team behind the High 5 Collective directed and released it on their Vimeo. Ocean plays a doctor in the short film.

video, music, blog postOdysseusmusic videos, Nabil Elderkin, Marshall Plante, Def Jam, Tumblr, "Pyramids", Channel Orange, Brandon Driscoll-Luttringer, Tara Ravazi, Danny Hiele, Bonnie Brae, John Mayer, "Voodoo", "End", Odysseus, Vimeo, singles