Features
10 of the best Ed Banger music videos
Celebrating 15 years of audiovisual excellence from the French music label
Ed Banger's contribution to electronic music can't be understated, nor undersold. Since forming the seminal imprint in 2003, label boss Pedro Winter - better known by his stage name, Busy P - managed to build a roster of A-list artists under his imprint's banner that have made the Ed Banger name ring out in its home city of Paris and clubland's far-reaching territories for well over a decade.
The home of France's most hallowed electronic music acts - including Justice, SebastiAn, Cassius, Krazy Baldhead, DJ Mehdi, Mr. Oizo, Mr. Flash, Feadz and Breakbot - Ed Banger relentlessly manages to keep its sound moving in a new direction while upholding its legacy as a world-renowned independent music label.
When it comes to music videos, the label has consistently proven itself to be one of the best in the business. These high-powered and wildly creative productions have played a pivotal role in the spread of Ed Banger's elite sound.
As the music label wraps up its 15-year celebration, the imprint released an online clip titled 'I Want My ED TV' - a short video teaser that showcases the immense beauty found in so many of these colorful works of art. Check it out above.
With over 50 official videos under their belt - many of which have millions of views on Youtube - Mixmag decided to sit down, glue our eyes to the screen and pick our 10 favorite Ed Banger music videos (in no particular order).
Ed Banger recently released a 27-track orchestral album titled '15 Ans' - a celebratory anniversary album that reimagines seminal Ed Banger releases from the past 15 years. Listen to the full album here
Vladimir Cauchemar 'Aulos'
A music video perfectly suited for the age of the meme, Vladimir Carchemar’s track ‘Aulos’ is a slice of “medieval house” that is as catchy as it is hilarious. Little is known about this mysterious musical entity. His Ed Banger bio simply reads, “Vladimir Cauchemar is an enigma to all of us.”
DJ Mehdi 'Signatune'
The late DJ Mehdi was a king of Paris' dance music scene before his untimely passing in 2011. His catalog in the Ed Banger archives has cemented his legacy as one of France’s most inventive electronic artists. The music video for Thomas Bangalter’s edit of Mehdi’s hit single, ‘Signatune’, was directed by Romain Gavras - an accomplished director and one of DJ Mehdi's dear friends.
SebastiAn 'Embody'
Created by Ed Banger’s in-house art director, So Me, the music video for SebastiAn’s single ‘Embody’ tells the story of an invisible boy who visits people from all walks of life to integrate his impeccable dance moves with their daily routines.
Justice 'New Lands'
What do you get when you combine football, lacrosse, motorcross, baseball and a roller derby? You get the music video for the Justice track, 'New Lands' - a high-production, Warriors inspired short-film with a nail-biting storyline that tells the age-old story of athletic underdogs who face up against their evil and superior rivals.
An honorable mention is in order for the other works found in Justice's amazing music video catalog, including: 'On'n'On', 'Stress', 'Love S.O.S' and 'D.A.N.C.E'.
Mr Oizo 'All Wet'
Not necessarily a music video in the traditional sense of the term, Quentin Dupieux's (aka Mr. Oizo) self-directed 'All Wet' album overview is a bizarre four-minute trip through the Ed Banger staples' 2016 LP. Featuring a cameo from Flying Lotus as Fake Skrillex and some strange vignette with the famous party puppet, Flat Eric, this video is a perfect exploration into all things weird and funky from Mr. Oizo.
Cassius 'Go Up (ft. Cat Power & Pharrell Williams)'
Alex Courtès music video for Cassius' 2016 single 'Go Up' - a tune that features the unlikely pair of Cat Power and Pharell Williams - is a stunning split-screen and slightly NSFW collage of captivating juxtapositions.
Busy P 'This Song (ft. Andrew Woodhead)'
Created by Paris-based director Arnaud Deroudilhe, the music video for the Ed Banger label boss' track 'This Song' (ft. Andrew Woodhead) off his 2013 album 'Still Busy' takes some of the most iconic album artwork from the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s and turns them into windows that look into unknown dimensions. A tripped-out ode to the music that came before them. Can you name all the influential albums shown in the video?
Mr Flash 'Bagheera (ft. Lady Leshurr)'
With its serpentine and buggy VHS aesthetic, the music video for Mr. Flash's track 'Bagheera' (ft. Lady Leshur) is a retro, collage-style clip that encapsulates the aggressive virility of the jungle.
Laurent Garnier 'Jacques in the Box (ft. LBS Crew)'
For his only release on Ed Banger, the legendary French DJ-producer Laurent Garnier teamed up with the label back in 2012 to deliver the EP, 'Timeless' - a two-track collaboration with LBS Crew. Despite its low-quality and slow pace, the music video for Garnier's EP cut 'Jacques in the Box' has a watchful and nervous beauty to it that perfectly suites the serene tune.
Breakbot 'Baby I'm Yours (ft. Irfane)'
With almost 47 million views on Youtube, Breakbot's hit single 'Baby I'm Yours (ft. Irfane)' is one of Ed Banger's most popular hits. The track's music video, directed and handmade by Irina Dakeva, consists of approximately 2000 watercolor painted images that appear one after the other. A transformative and rich blending of color and music, the video is a true masterpiece in motion.
