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Kanye Ripped off French Film With 'All of the Lights' Video?

Johnny Nunez, WireImage

Kanye West's new video for 'All of the Lights,' featuring Rihanna and helmed by acclaimed music video director Hype Williams, debuted on Feb. 18, with its full-scale visual assault of strobing text and neon credits. In just four days, it had received more than four million views on YouTube.

However, critics quickly called foul, pointing out that the video shamelessly borrows from the credit sequence of French filmmaker Gaspar Noe's 2009 film, 'Enter the Void,' which has only just hit theaters in the United States.

While music videos frequently reference films, some say Kanye's video goes a little too far in its similarity to the 'Enter the Void' credit sequence, and for failing to give any credit to the film. Perhaps Kanye and Hype considered their version an homage, perhaps they thought they would get away with a bit of artistic imitation, in either event, fans of Noe's film are not impressed.

Interestingly, Noe and Kanye have a collaborator in common -- they have both worked with Thomas Bangalter, one half of electro-house duo Daft Punk. Bangalter has scored two of Noe's films, including 'Enter the Void,' and while they have not directly collaborated, Daft Punk was sampled by Kanye in his 2007 hit 'Stronger.'

Check out Kanye's 'All of the Lights' clip, and the credit sequence from 'Enter the Void' after the jump, and let us know your thoughts.

Gaspar Noe's 'Enter the Void' Credit Sequence

Kanye West's 'All of the Lights' (Credits begin at 0:58)
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23 Comments

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anthony

This new breed of musical talent find inspiration from many things. Real life experiences play a big part but also many other influences can not be ignored television, movies and other music. So it shouldn't surprise anyone when something looks like or sounds like. When Jordan dunks a basketball on the court a certain way how many kids and adults copy that very same move? If credit is due it should be givin and thats really seems to be the only problem.

February 24 2011 at 9:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
BIRDMAN

yeah its about as bad as him stealing the Mic from taylor swift at the awards....what a f-ing loser

February 24 2011 at 8:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
fffreddie

Well, I don't see what the big fuss is all about. Beyonce did with it 'Put a Ring On It' video. What's the catch phrase? Oh yeah, "It's a black thing, you just wouldn't understand."

Wait at least Kenya didn't steal a Taylor Swift video. That will probably be next.

February 24 2011 at 8:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to fffreddie's comment
Stay Mad

it's a Black thing? Tell that to the countless Metal Rock and Indie bands that referenced Alice in Wonderland all throughout the 80's and 90's.

October 08 2011 at 7:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
daytonagary

Peg....as long as the Zionist Music companys can make a dime off the no talent Monkey they will keep on exploiting him.Never forget that.Its all about the money to them.Artistic integrity mean nothing to the Blood Suckin parasites.

February 24 2011 at 8:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
youwantedhim

O. One
B. Big
A. Ass
M. Mistake
A. America
His name says it all America

February 24 2011 at 8:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
daytonagary

This is a perfect example of how HipHop is nothing but trash.No talent wannabee thugs rippin off Music from White artists,rippin off film clips.Fact is Rapp and HipHop are manufactured BS.

February 24 2011 at 8:15 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to daytonagary's comment
elivebuy658

h t t p : / / w w w . 9 e l i f e . c o m


I tide fashion

Good-looking, not expensive

Free transport

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

February 24 2011 at 9:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
groundspeed

It' won't matter. Millions of Af-Am's and poorly educated white youth won't know the difference and will continue to buy the junk.

February 24 2011 at 8:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
joballs

bwahahhahaahha....a plagiarist after all...what a monkey....hahahah

February 24 2011 at 8:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
H the god

U are all jealous corn balls... If u understand rap u would know that hip hop pays tribute to the appreciated music that we all grew up on. It has always and always will. You all need lives1 Go jump off of bldng or something. I don't agree with everything Kanye does but he's doing enough to get ur attention and to be talking about him. Don't be mad.. How about you go and get some talent and make something hot? Hmm... Even musicians can't do what hip hop artists do because they are so busy being confined by the blinders. Trust that it takes talent to do it all. If others could do it they would. Get off of rappers dck! The stuff they think up on their own is what makes these old azz records and artists relevant now. Otherwise they'd be dead somewhere living in a soup kitchen. While I will agree that some of these dudes are justa waste of airtime and space, Kanye and the like however are not. Know the talent when u see it and stop being quick to lump everyone together! Should I call everyone who listens to rock music devil worshipers?? No right... Get ur sht and facts straight before you disrespect the whole art form.

February 24 2011 at 8:04 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
farmtrkfk

This just proves that Kanye West and the people who surround himself with have never had an original idea in their lives... I have no problem with music or video inspried by a film or music inspired by or sampled from other artists if there is some actual credit or reverence paid to the sampled artist.. Don't sample Daft Punk and use that throughout your entire song and claim to be a song writer... I enjoy alot of his music because it usually causes me a bit of nostalgia because of what he samples.

February 24 2011 at 8:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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