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Vee Skeeno - "Crucial" [prod. Sun Sidran] (Video)


Based on what we've seen and heard from Vee Skeeno so far in 2018, it seems apparent that the Hartford, CT-based artist is ready to make his biggest impact yet this year. 

The latest musical offering from Skeeno comes in the form of his Dr. Visuals-directed "Crucial" music video, which kicks off with the emcee sitting in front of a chess board. Talk about some meaningful imagery - deep in thought, looking both inspired and somewhat defeated, Vee appears to be contemplating what's next in his physical journey here on Earth. While shaped by his past and living fully present in the now, Vee Skeeno is also treating his life and career like a chess game - he's preparing for his future by thinking several moves ahead. 

I like how Skeeno manages to be come across as both sophisticated and ignorant throughout the video. Anyone who follows him on social media gets a glimpse of this with each post that goes live for the world to see. In "Crucial", we see a nicely dressed and well put together Vee Skeeno inside of a beautiful, materialistic mansion, dancing on a table and mobbing alongside Andre Jakai with a bottle of champagne outside. There are multiple sides and levels that, when they all come together, create the full embodiment of who Vee Skeeno is. The juxtaposing presentation in "Crucial" captures these, in a sense, different personalities that shape Skeeno as a whole. 

Throughout the video, Vee Skeeno delivers his lyrics with a smooth flow over Sun Sidran's ultra chill, laid back production. The listener/viewer is able to vibe to the track without taking any of their attention off Skeeno's flow or delivery. You hear the beat but your focus is almost entirely on Skeeno. All at once, Vee Skeeno is confident, cocky, threatening and fun. His super catchy flow switches up throughout "Crucial", again revealing the different sides to his personality and artistry. 

At the tail end of "Crucial", Skeeno proclaims, "don't grow up and be like me". This is a telling bit of advice, as it showcases the vibe I caught at the start of the video when Vee Skeeno was slumped in front of the chess board. There appears to be somewhat of an internal struggle between self-love, acceptance and regret. That begin said, I've never caught the feeling that Skeeno genuinely regrets any of the choices or actions he's made over the course of his life. Regardless, he's mindful and aware enough to know that his path and his journey is just that - his own - and not one that others should be attempting to replicate or follow. 

While visually stimulating and sonically captivating, the real take away from "Crucial" is the presentation of the many layers of who Vee Skeeno is as an artist and as a spirit inhabiting this physical vessel. Cliche as it may be, don't judge the book by its cover because there is always more to a person - especially an artist - than meets the eye. 

Vibe to Vee Skeeno's sophisticated ignorance and enjoy his "Crucial" visuals below.  

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