Jeff Johnson II & El Da Sensei – Neo-Nineties [Video]

Jeff Johnson II and Artifacts’ El Da Sensei pay tribute to their hip-hop roots in the official video for “Neo-Nineties,” produced by Mr. Nobody.

Jeff Johnson II traces his hip-hop education back to Wu-Tang, Black Star, and Artifacts on “Neo-Nineties,” then brings one of those influences into the record itself. With El Da Sensei alongside him, the tribute connects the music Jeff grew up on with the values he still carries into his writing.

His verse moves from distrust of politicians to frustration with rappers chasing clicks, before acknowledging the elders whose teaching and guidance helped him find his voice. That gives the ’90s references a purpose beyond nostalgia: Jeff is talking about what the culture taught him and what he wants to preserve. Mr. Nobody handles production, with cuts by Yamin Semali, while the video places Jeff against graffiti-covered walls and moves between outdoor performances and studio footage. El’s appearance completes the connection between a formative influence and a present-day collaboration.

Watch the clip below.