Words by Jay Will—
Major Lazer’s brand-new video for “Watch Out For This (Bumaye)” is a tribute to the styles and fashions of ’90s dancehall. (Watch it here) Taking inspiration from some of the era’s most iconic videos, the video sees Major Lazer’s Diplo, Walshy Fire and Jillionaire—and “Watch Out For This” collaborators Busy Signal, The Flexican and FS Green—sporting loudly period-appropriate gear, while dancers and extras buss some of the ’90s most memorable dance moves.
The video, shot in Kingston, Jamaica, earlier this year, is the work of Jason “Jay Will” Williams, the director behind some of the current era’s most notable dancehall visuals, from Mr. Vegas’ “Bruk it Down” and “I Am Blessed” videos to Vybz Kartel’s Teacha’s Pet reality show. With “Watch Out For This” dropping today, we asked Jay to break down the 10 (+2) ’90s dancehall videos that most inspired “Watch Out For This”—and his imagination as a young, Jamaican dancehall fan and future music video director. Scroll through and take a trip through dancehall’s golden era…