Overshare Podcast: Directors Coodie & Chike on Kanye West, Serendipity, and Being Too Nice
WORKING NOT WORKING
Directing Duo Clarence "Coodie" Simmons & Chike Ozah, better known as Coodie & Chike, have so much infectiously positive energy and perspective from all their years in the business. We're thrilled to have them on this week's episode of Overshare.
Coodie & Chike started collaborating in the early 2000s and got their big break directing Kanye West’s music video “Through the Wire,” followed by music videos for “Two Words” and “Jesus Walks." They had less than two days to put "Jesus Walks" together from scratch, making it nothing short of a creative miracle, not to mention a classic. Their recounting of that experience with host Justin Gignac is a celebration in the art of scrappiness.
Coodie & Chike went on to work with big acts like Pitbull, Erykah Badu, Lupe Fiasco, and Mos Def. In 2007, they founded their own production company, Creative Control. They’ve since directed ESPN "30 for 30" documentary Benji, BET documentary Muhammed Ali: The People’s Champ, and just released A Kid from Coney Island about Stephon Marbury.
In this episode, you will learn that not having the time or money or resources to make great work are just excuses. You’ll also learn that wherever your happiness is coming from right now, that’s what really matters. This conversation is packed with insights and endless positivity.
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SHOW NOTES:
Coodie & Chike ( @officialcoodieandchike / @coodierock / @cozah)
Kanye West's debut album The College Dropout
Chike's favorite craft cocktail bars - Dutch Kills, Dullboy, Pegu Club, Death & Co,
Car Wash film
Ernie Barnes' painting "The Sugar Shack"
Bill Withers
Artist Nina Chanel ( website / Instagram )
Coodie's favorite album as a teenager, LL Cool J's BAD
Chike's favorite album as a teenager Big Daddy Kane's Taste of Chocolate
Coodie & Chike's videos for Kanye: Through the Wire, Two Words, Jesus Walks
Channel Zero TV
Pitbull "Culo" music video
Erykah Badu "Window Seat" music video
Matt & Kim "Lessons Learned" music video that inspired Erykah Badu
Lupe Fiasco feat. Ed Sheeran "Old School Love" music video
Benji ESPN 30 for 30 documentary about Chicago hoop legend, Ben Wilson
A Kid from Coney Island documentary about Stephon Marbury