Sanyé - “Stoicism Lol” Music Video

AllMusic Release

Apr 7

The title alone of Sanyé’s 2020 release is enough to grab one’s attention. Stoicism as a philosophical principle involves using mental strength and self-control to overcome emotion—the evocation of this idea combined with the casual “Lol” reads as both ironic and cheekily subversive. This echoes throughout the music video, as Sanyé’s attitude and demeanor reflect a certain effortlessness: “You know why I don’t make any sound? ‘Cause I never gave a fuck.” Backed by a crew of fellow dancers behind him in nearly every shot, Sanyé jumps and gestures before the camera with dynamic energy. The lyrics underpin the carefree nature of the video while simultaneously adding a new layer of meaning.

Sanyé raps about the obstacles he’s overcome to achieve success and put himself first. As he explicitly states, he prioritizes his own wellbeing over the comfort of others: “She said she want more heroics / But bitch I’m too stoic / I don’t give a fuck who I please.” The adjective “stoic” hearkens back to the song’s title and affirms that Sanyé is above the influence of negative emotions and external pressures. The phrase “I don’t give a fuck” is repeated throughout the song as a mantra of sorts. The line is especially powerful given that his success is hard-earned: “I’m too nice, I can’t never be greedy / Came from a time when nobody could feed me.” He continues on to say, “Play any way and this shit could turn tragic / Out the mud, out the dirt, had me gasping / I had to stay just to move up in status.” He’s persevered to attain his “status,” and he acknowledges that things could have gone wrong along the way.

Visually speaking, the video highlights the song’s lighter and more upbeat notes. Sanyé utilizes colorful lighting and playful settings; one recurring shot shows him sitting triumphantly atop a jungle gym of sorts while his friend hangs off of it. The orange of the jungle gym ties in with the pops of orange in Sanyé’s outfits and tie together disparate parts of the video. Nearly every scene appears to have been filmed outdoors or in open-air spaces. These location choices lend the video a casual atmosphere as if each dance scene were improvised. Both Sanyé and his background dancers seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and the music, and their energy is irresistibly contagious. While the middle scenes of the music video again place an emphasis on possessions and status symbols, from flashes of a diamond-studded bracelet to the image of Moslikely donning himself with thick silver chains, the video’s last few shots express take on a new level of depth. We see the artist adjusting his hat in the mirror before turning to leave as if preparing himself for the journey ahead. And no matter what that future holds, there’s a sense of certainty in his eyes—big things are on the horizon.

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