My Rap Video Debut

Mister E, Nasa, and the dad

So I have officially made an appearance in a rap video. A rite of passage as a rap wife? Our friend and rapper, Uncommon Nasa, is putting out a music video for his song “Twenty-Two” and needed extras. Since I hate being filmed, I had no intentions of volunteering. But Nasa asked Paul to be one of the main characters and when I heard that the extras had no lines and needed zero acting skills, I figured I might as well spend the afternoon with the hubs and help out a friend.

The video starts with a group of people in an elevator heading back to their respective apartments. As they get off the elevator, the film follows several of the characters and reveals their individual (and depressing) stories. The storyline doesn’t have the most cheerful premise, but I guess not too many rap songs are about puppies and rainbows.

Paul’s character was a pilot, so he had a Halloween shop jacket and hat to wear. When you squinted past the polyester suit, he looked very Denzel. Somehow, Paul seems to be finding himself in a lot of situations lately where he’s had to dress in costume. Which I have been finding incredibly entertaining. Sadly, as an extra, I did not get a costume.

In addition to a few other friends and rappers who volunteered to be in the video, Nasa also had a few Craigslist responders. A father and daughter agreed to be characters. The dad had been an extra in a number of big box-office movies and NY based TV series, so it was clearly a hobby he was passionate about. And then there was Mister E, a giant bodyguard-looking guy. Paul assumed he was a rapper with the name Mister E- thinking it was a play on ‘Mystery’- but he’s just another guy who likes his time in front of the camera while simultaneously maintaining a little anonymity.

Days like that are when I am reminded of all the interesting characters that make up this city. People's lives are so much more nuanced than what you can see on the surface. Which I guess is the point of the song. Life lessons through raps! I might have to consider being in more rap videos. Especially if I get free bagels again.