Kahn has directed videos for Britney Spears, Eminem, and Lady Gaga.By James Dinh
Rihanna on the set of the "Love the Way You Lie" music video
Photo: Danny Mayer/ Eric Ford/ On Location Photos
After much anticipation, the Joseph Kahn-directed video for Eminem and Rihanna's chart-topping "Love the Way You Lie" debuted Thursday (August 4) on MTV. In the song, Em and Rihanna tell the intense story of a woman who stays with her male counterpart despite his violent habits. The video shows Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan engaging in a relationship that's similarly emotionally destructive.
Kahn, who has worked with everyone from Janet Jackson to Rob Zombie, has a particular directing style that emphasizes CGI special effects and futuristic styling. Here are a few other highlights from his career.
Britney Spears, "Toxic"
In the 2004 clip for Spears' flashy "Toxic," the pop princess played an assassin on a quest to poison her cheating boyfriend. The clip employed eye-popping costumes for Spears — including a stewardess outfit and a glittery bodysuit — and quickly rose to the top of the pop princess' videography. "The plot is pretty nonsensical. It's just fun. [It's like] James Bond flicks and sex," Kahn told MTV News. Years later, the director would collaborate with Spears on the clip for "Womanizer" — in which he slyly referenced their earlier collaboration.
U2, "Elevation"
U2 went on a ride like no other when they joined forces with "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" for the 2001 video promoting "Elevation." A call from an "evil Bono" set the mood for the action-filled video, which features the band on a rescue mission with Angelina Jolie thanks to Kahn inserting members into scenes from the film. With the help of Ms.
Croft, U2 dodges the dangers of the bad Bono, although eventually good and evil come face to face in a battle of stereo and vocal power. But the good guys win out, and the band walks into a calm street that has cars and elephants floating overhead.
Eminem, "Without Me"
For most of Eminem's career, the rapper has played the funny guy in his music videos. His clip for the 2002 hit single "Without Me" went further than mere gags, asserting his ability to poke fun at the controversies surrounding his music. Throughout the video, Em parodies a comic-book hero on a mission to save a young boy from listening to a copy of The Eminem Show, which is labeled with a dreaded 'Parental Advisory' sticker. While on his quest, Em manages to sleep with porn stars, practice yoga and appear on "The Real World."
Enrique Iglesias, "Hero"
Understandably, Enrique Iglesias' music videos have showcased his good looks and suave persona. His 2001 clip featured Jennifer Love Hewitt as the singer's love interest and other half of a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde. The two are on the lam from Mickey Rourke, who heads a rival group of bandits. After some steamy scenes with Hewitt, the pop star is found by Rourke's gang and apparenly killed by them.
Lady Gaga, "LoveGame"
If there's one thing Lady Gaga reps for, it's the busy streets of New York City. Before the days of her music videos doubling as mini-movies, Kahn helped the singer take a journey through the Big Apple's underground in a video that recalls Michael Jackson's also-subway-set "Bad." Accompanied by her crew of dancers, the singer drops it low in a subway station and dances the night away. "I worked with [video director] Joseph Kahn, and he did an amazing job. He didn't just capture the fashion; he captured the artist," Gaga told MTV News.
What's your favorite Joseph Kahn-directed music video? Let us know in the comments!
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Memorable Joseph Kahn Music Videos
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Eminem
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Lady Gaga
Rihanna
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