Group 16: Research: Hip Hop/R&B/Pop Directors.

Director X, is a Canadian music video director that mainly directs Hip Hop and R&B videos. He is a protégé of Hype Williams. Director X has been noted for his high-budget, visually distinctive music videos for many songs within the Hip Hop, R&B and Pop genre. He has directed videos for Usher, Kanye West, Jay-Z Katy Perry, Jessie J, Nelly Furtado, Aaliyah, Justin Bieber, Drake, Nicki Minaj and The Wanted. His trademark is tweaking the letterbox format. Instead of just using black bars on the top and bottom of the frame to frame the image, many videos by Director X actually feature the bars opening vertically to reveal the video and closing vertically at the end, like a letter box.

Here are some examples of music videos directed by Director X:

DRAKE - HYFR

JUSTIN BIEBER - BOYFRIEND

NICKI MINAJ - YOUR LOVE

Ray Kay is a Norwegian director and photographer who is currently based in Los Angeles. He is a music video & commercial director. Kay mostly directs music videos and has worked with artists such as Britney Spears, Lady Gaga,^[2] Justin Bieber, Jessie J, Nelly Furtado, Beyoncé Knowles, Cheryl Cole, Diddy, Willow Smith, Christina Milian.

Here are some examples of music videos directed by Ray Kay:

LADY GAGA - POKER FACE

BEYONCE - FREAKUM DRESS

WILLOW SMITH - WHIP MY HAIR

Melina Matsoukas' work is described as a, "chalk full of bright colors or crisp black and white images, smooth spotlights, and tasteful retro video models. She has directed music videos for the likes of Beyonce Knowles, Rihanna, Neyo, Lady Gaga, Leona Lewis, Jennifer Lopez and Lily Allen.

Here are some examples of music videos directed by Melina Matsoukas:

RIHANNA - YOU DA ONE