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The Making of “Angry” | Hip-Hop/Rap Single and Music Video

Making the video

Sometimes you just have to go out and spontaneously film a music video. That’s what I did for my song “Angry”. It was snowing and the way it looked outside was how I imagined it should for this song. The trees were covered with snow and just looked cold and dim, empty and picturesque. I texted my video guy, George, jokingly telling him that we should go out and film immediately. I didn’t expect that we would actually do it. It was one of those “wouldn’t this be perfect” moments. A few minutes later he called back. All of the sudden we were out in the woods filming in my hometown in the woods of Housatonic, MA in The Berkshires. Because we made the effort, I felt like I had to deliver a solid performance.

Over time I’ve learned how to do music videos on very little budget, independently, and DIY style. Since the pandemic, I’ve come to terms with the new challenges: keeping my cast to a minimum (usually just me), not filming in crowded areas, and staying socially distanced as much as possible. For all of these reasons, I put a ton of energy into my performance and lyrical delivery. I had to match the energy of the music with my vibe, my attitude, what I was wearing, and my movement. Sometimes, videos don’t come together as expected. Sometimes what I have in mind doesn’t translate on camera. I feel like the video for “Angry” was the perfect storm of circumstances. It just came together. You really don’t get that every time. I find that music videos can get very complicated and overwhelming. This one shows the payoff of a simple, straight forward live performance approach.

The music video for “Angry” was created by George Cox (Outpost)

Creating The Song

“Angry” is the first single to come out off of my album, ‘From The Woods’.

I’ve always used music to deal with my anger and turn it into something positive. I was troubled by the many challenges in 2020, from the pandemic to police brutality. I think it’s important for white people like myself to call out racism if we want to help make a difference, and that’s how the first verse of the song begins. I react to events like this by creating hip-hop and rapping, finding solutions through my creativity. The vibe of this song allowed me to let out everything that I’ve been bottling up over the year. This song is inspired by artists like Public Enemy, Run The Jewels, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Immortal Technique, Marlon Craft, Joyner Lucas, Spark Masta Tape, Young M.A. and others.

I wrote, produced, and recorded “Angry” in my studio with keybordist and composer Ian Evans in Housatonic, Massachusetts. The song was mixed at The Bunker Studio in Brooklyn, NY by John Davis, along with the rest of my From the Woods album. The song and album were mastered by Robert Macchiochi a.k.a. Bob Macc (Subvert Central Mastering) in the United Kingdom.

recording-studio-bunker-brooklyn-jackson-whalan-john-davis-mixing-engineer

SONG lyrics

INTRO
’m just angry
But I know what do to
Yeah yeah

VERSE 1
We’re standing at your front door demanding all the answers
A thousand deep cramming deep into your mansion
Until we see some real reparations and advances
We ain’t letting up under any circumstances
In the pandemic oppressive in the summer heat
When police killing back people in the fucking street
Every week who’s the next one gonna be?
Future ain’t bright like Bart Steve Bannon
I’m pushing the needle and fighting the evil 
Like Evel Knievel over the Grand Canyon 
Wings spanning like an eagle
Keeping it regal when there’s no sequel 
Spit out what the media feeds you
Until you can see what you have agreed too

CHORUS 1
I’m just angry
But I know what to do
I know what to do
I’m just angry
But I know what to do
Yeah yeah
I’m just angry
But I know what to do
I know what to do
I’m just angry
But I know what to do
Yeah yeah

VERSE 2
I’m just angry and I’m ready for a face off
I could either stand in the way or just play soft
The rich getting paid off we get laid off
And POTUS a fraud like Bernie Madoff
Making deals when they play golf and name drop
Private jet take off
Back to the estate to calculate percentages
And influence society over cold beverages
We got centrists complying with white supremacists
And both of sides of the aisle don’t even know what a rebel is
And when I take a stand the news is so sickening
Contradicting all of the solutions we’re envisioning
It’s a feeling inside I can’t shake off
I’m alone in my zone had to break off
From all these narcissists looking for applause 
Destroying the environment to safe face for lost jobs
Lost cause enacting all the tactics
While questioning America’s life liberty and happiness
The situation hazardous anger is my catalyst
No more being passive when there’s sympathy for fascists

CHORUS 2
I’m just angry
But I know what to do
I know what to do
I’m just angry
But I know what to do
Yeah yeah
I’m just angry
But I know what to do
I know what to do
I’m just angry
But I know what to do
Yeah yeah

Jackson whalan is a lyricist and producer from the woods creating hip-hop from the heart to uplift and inspire listeners around the world.