In conjunction with Earth Day, American world music musical collective Nahko and Medicine for the People released the new music video for their new single “Make A Change”. It is their next single off their upcoming album “HOKA” (out on June 10th via SideOneDummy Records) and is available for pre-order on nahko.com.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE7_C_k16aA
The track features guest vocals from rising indie-pop star Zella Day (Hollywood Records) and encourages listeners to “make a change”, starting with themselves.
Both the track and the music video have the potential to be iconic due to the very strong and meaningful message that the group conveys within these two materials.
The single has that friendly and happy beat but as you listen to the lyrics it will encourage you to stand up and live up to Nahko’s beliefs and Mahatma Gandhi’s words: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” If one wishes to make the world a better place, they should start the change within themselves instead of waiting for other people to do it for them.
In the music video, which premiered via Vevo last month, we see the group’s frontman, Nahko Bear go through three different transformations. “There are three characters portrayed here: myself, a businessman, and a warrior” Nahko explains. “It’s a cry for help and a call to action”.
The video represents a broader message that appears throughout HOKA, and one that was especially present as Nahko wrote the song ‘Make A Change’. “I was challenging myself to take action on what’s important, to not make the same mistakes over and over, and continue to evolve. We, as the youth, have to be the ones to get out of the vicious cycle of negativity”.
The music video opens with a nude Nahko who has various hateful words written all over his body such as “hypocrite”, “liar”, “selfish” and “womanizer”. Nahko’s self.
As the video progresses, Nahko starts to wipe off the cruel words written on his body. He also starts to put on clothes to get into his second persona in the video. He can then be seen holding a globe with a flammable substance dripping on it. Businessman.
A few moments later, he sets fire to the globe. This might indicate either “a new start” or “change is coming”.
Nahko’s last transformation features him wearing an unbuttoned camouflage jacket. Warrior.
Aside from the awesome visuals of this music video, listeners should pay special attention to the lyrics. One line that struck a chord in our heart is “If I make it out alive/I will make a change“. It will remind you of a phoenix that has to burn and die to be reborn. Some of us may have that point of view. The point of view wherein the world has to witness destruction before it can have peace and prosperity.
The most iconic moment in the video is probably the end wherein the upside down flag of the United States of America was shown with the words “Make a Change” written in red paint.
Nahko and Medicine for the People does indeed offer a new perspective in terms of making the world a better place which is refreshing due to all of the bubblegum pop songs going around.
It’s been three years since Los Angeles, California-based Nahko and Medicine for The People’s last record, Dark As Night. That release reached No. 4 on Billboard’s Top Alternative New Album, No. 6 on the Heatseekers album chart, No. 36 on the Top Independent Album chart, and No. 7 in Australia on Triple J’s Top 10 Roots Albums of 2013.
Nahko and Medicine for The People – which also features Chase Makai (lead guitar), Justin Chittams (drums), Pato (bass and kora), Tim Snider (violin) and Max Ribner (horns) – has gathered more members of their global tribe of like-minded fans as they spread their powerful and impactful musical message around the world. They have toured with such acts as The Avett Brothers, Michael Franti, Xavier Rudd, SOJA, and Trevor Hall, and performed on festivals including Outside Lands, Electric Forest, Wanderlust, Bumbershoot, California Roots Music Festival, Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival, and many more.
Critics have praised their worldly blend of influences that range from Conor Oberst to Bob Marley, as well as their energetic and truly unforgettable live show. Dark As Night also received rave reviews with The Huffington Post calling it “beautiful and stirring”, and even referred to Nahko as a “musical prophet”.
With the amazing musical material that they have come up with so far, there is nothing but excitement in our bones for what is yet to come from this group.
For a full list of show dates for Nahko and Medicine for the People’s upcoming “Make a Change” tour, be sure to check out their website at Nahko.com.
What do you think about “Make A Change”? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @CelebMix!