Garifuna Collective Teases New Video Hamala from Its Forthcoming Album
The Garifuna Collective is giving the world a sneak peak at the first single from their upcoming album Aban. The song called Hamala – Let Him Fly, is directed by Jeremy Christoph Lewis and gives the viewer an intimate look at Hopkins Village which inspires much of the Collective’s music. The forthcoming record marks the Garifuna Collective’s first release since 2014’s Ayo, their critically-acclaimed tribute to the late Garifuna singer Andy Palacio.
Emilio Thomas, Member, Garifuna Collective
“Hamala is one of the tracks that will be on the September 15th Garifuna Collective album release. The album is title Aban. Hamala is about a little boy who wanted to fly. Hamala means to fly in Garifuna, let him fly, actually, in the sense of let him take off into the world and it’s about community of how elements of community when they come together is going to affect a single entity in determining how far this person or individual can go into life itself.”
Emilio Thomas
Isani Cayetano
“Talk to us about the concept of the video. I know you’ve spoken about the song itself and what the song means. In terms of the concept of bringing together various visual elements to put together the video, what was that like?”
Emilio Thomas
“Well the concept itself was not a, the strategy for producing the video is very different and I would like Jeremy to explain that in his part. But it’s about coming together, we got some children and let them bring different elements and materials that make up the kite and he captured very inspirational parts of that scene, creating a storyline for the Hamala video.”
Jeremy Lewis
Jeremy Lewis, Filmmaker, Garifuna Collective
“Working with Collective has always been like a dream. Growing up I remember going to a studio set up, where they set up in Hopkins on the south side. I was probably like thirteen years old and I remember seeing all the setup, the whole instruments, cameras and I think that would be like the first moment I kinda got inspired. So working with Collective now is just like one tick off the list now. So [it’s a] goal met.”
Isani Cayetano
“And with this particular video, how did you come up with, for instance, the concept and the specific shots that would have complimented what was being sung about?”
Jeremy Lewis
“Well, to me that was too easy because basically it’s my life story. Growing up in Hopkins, you’re very active as child. You actually have like a real childhood because you get to play, everyone looks out for you and you’re always about. So like making, the whole video and the concept behind the video, it’s kind of like metaphorical with the story of the kite and how the kite represents your dreams, your aspirations, your goal, everything.”
