ECNETNews, April 3, 2025: Afro-futurist artist and director Gianni Lee is redefining the visual landscape of Caribbean music with an innovative AI-assisted lyric video for the remix of Skip Marley’s “Close,” featuring Jamaican dancehall icons Ding Dong and Masicka. The striking visual experience debuted today and coincides with the track’s release through Tuff Gong International/Def Jam Recordings.
Set in a captivating post-apocalyptic cityscape, the video immerses viewers in a dynamic world inhabited by humanoid dancers, futuristic athletes, and adrenaline-fueled bikers, all synchronized to an infectious Caribbean rhythm.
Gianni Lee, who has previously collaborated with renowned brands, emphasized that this project transcends mere spectacle. “For the Skip Marley visual, I intentionally employed AI as an artistic tool—deconstructing live-action footage and sourced video to create a vibrant mosaic of moving images,” Lee explained. “The foundation relies on genuine visuals that I captured or collected, then meticulously processed frame by frame using advanced AI techniques. This project was about intention and vision, not just trends or convenience.”
Celebrated for his distinct Afro-futurist imagery and gripping dystopian narratives, Lee views AI as a creative partner—integral to his artistic expression. “I approached storyboarding as I would for a traditional film, layering it with artistic manipulation. The end result resembles a moving painting rather than a standard video,” he noted. “This initiative is about exploring new possibilities with modern tools while remaining true to narrative depth and emotional resonance.”
The collaboration between Lee and GRAMMY®-winning artist Skip Marley, alongside Ding Dong and Masicka, exemplifies a vibrant fusion of music, technology, and visual artistry—a celebration of the ongoing innovation and inspiration found within Afro-Caribbean and Black diasporic creativity.
