Interviews

Smilez Talks New Video “Mentally I’m Somewhere Else”

“I’m not too proud to ask for help,” raps SMILEZ in the chorus of “Mentally I’m Somewhere Else,” his latest single. It’s a

By Theodore "Stretch" Travis

June 8, 2023

Smilez Talks New Video “Mentally I’m Somewhere Else”

“I’m not too proud to ask for help,” raps SMILEZ in the chorus of “Mentally I’m Somewhere Else,” his latest single. It’s a simple line with complex implications — and it could only have been delivered by a vocalist of great expressive nuance. SMILEZ sounds damaged but tough, swaggering but humble, deeply troubled but profoundly optimistic, thoughtful but prepared for action. In short, he’s a person in full and the sort of character who can’t help but elicit sympathy from his listeners. With every wounded line he raps and every syllable he sings, he reaches out, bravely, to you.

Millions have reached back. As one of the most emotionally forceful rappers in the business — one who has always emphasized clarity and candor — the Dallas-born, Los Angeles-based artist has made profound connections with those who share his struggles and aspirations. Prior tracks have racked up millions of streams, including the lascivious 2020 hit “Head Shoulders” and its incendiary follow-up “Sit Back & Relax.” Tekashi 6ix9ine’s 2020 album Dummy Boy wouldn’t have been the same without SMILEZ’s rowdy feature. In these verses, Smilez confronts heartbreak, longing, addiction and substance abuse, societal acceptance and rejection, and the precarity of mental health. Through it all, he keeps his balance and his faith in himself. No matter the setback, he retains his unbreakable composure.

“Mentally I’m Somewhere Else” showcases SMILEZ’s vocal talents: his rapid-fire-rapped verses and soulfully sung hooks, delivered with unshakable confidence. But it’s also a demonstration of his musical creativity and arrangement smarts. For much of the song, he rhymes over a track with nothing but an elegant, resonant piano. It’s a sonic metaphor for Smilez’s meditative inner state and an undeniably beautiful track from an artist well-known for getting wild.

The clip for “Mentally I’m Somewhere Else,” which SMILEZ conceived and directed himself, extends the pensive mood. The video returns to a consistent theme of his writing: the divided internal state. An active version of SMILEZ, dressed in his signature sunny yellow clothing, raps across the frame at a mute and downcast SMILEZ captured in greyscale. This psychodrama is periodically interrupted by filmed sequences of SMILEZ as a toddler, surrounded by friends and family, possessing the integrity and coherence that the world wears away. Does the rapper regain himself? We don’t know for sure, but here’s a hint. By the end of the clip, the footage is in full color.

How was it directing the music video for “Mentally I’m Somewhere Else”?

It was a cool experience. First we did the performance part, so I had to learn how to play and sing the song at the same time – which, because I wrote it in the studio, I had never done. That was pretty easy, though, so we shot a few takes; it took about an hour. The second part was really going thru old home movies which was kind of emotional but I knew I wanted the video to be real and powerful, so I did a deep dive and found some cool clips that could make the song feel even more special.

When the footage turns into full color at the end of the video, does that mean in a way that you regained yourself?

Yes, exactly. I wanted it to be the constant battle of the black and white and color, kind of going back and forth. Facing your demons and dance with the mind, trying to escape. I’ve had so many experiences in life where I’ve just wanted to escape; I think it’s a natural instinct but sometimes you can’t do that and I want to show that in a simple way that had a little undertone to it.

Can you talk more about the bravery it took to open up and reveal your struggles?

I feel like it’s just my job as an artist to be transparent and real about deep stuff. I love music so much, so when it comes to making mine, I want people to know that I’m here for the love of it and that involves showing every side of yourself at times. It’s worth it, though; if your music can inspire or change even one person, it’s worth it to me.

What did your creative process look like in creating the music video for the song “Mentally I’m Somewhere Else”?

We shot the performance scenes and the chair scenes first, then after that, it was mainly about the editing. I edit all my own videos, so I messed with the colors, and a lot of the ideas came to light after the fact. Then there was the process of going thru old home movies to give it that real vibe and make it less of just an art school project.

“I’m not too proud to ask for help” is a really strong line that a lot of people can resonate with; how do you think this will help people with their struggles too?

It’s important to show vulnerability sometimes. There are so many people that hurt themselves by never admitting they need help. I used to have a problem with that and once I let that go, my life became a million times better and easier.

The visuals for the music video portray your divided internal state; have you found resolve, or are you still looking for it to be united?

It’s a constant balancing act. Right now, I’m pretty solid, but it’s just good to be aware of that. Once you know that sort of thing is going on, then you can work to resolve it.

What was it like behind the scenes of the music video?

It was a simple set. We had a cameraman, one lighting guy, and then a couple of my friends were there. It wasn’t really a fun party vibe, it was more of a “let’s get this shit done” vibe. I’m super focused when I’m making videos; I sort of tune everything else out. I’m constantly checking the monitor, etc.

Are there any future songs we should look out for?

Yes! I have an album dropping June 9th called Ur in My World and I have a bunch of music videos dropping off that album.