The 2009 Inaugural weekend saw massive celebrations in Washington, DC and worldwide. The legendary Afrika Bambaataa, who helped launch the hip-hop generation with hits like “Planet Rock” and “Searching for the Perfect Beat” was in town to celebrate the historic moment. While Barack Obama was being sworn in as President, the Fort Knox Five teamed up with electro-funk innovator Afrika Bambaataa and Mustafa Akbar to create the funk anthem “Shift.” Originally released on the 2009 compilation The New Gold Standard 2, “Shift” has been reinvented in both audio and visual form.
The groundbreaking music video for “Shift” is the result of months of work by directors Stu Mackay-Smith and DJ Ball. Combining live action filmed in HD Oakley Red with sharp animation, the production team called in world famous action sports cinematographer Christian Begin to capture Vancouver’s Now or Never B-Boy crew, the Hybrid Movement Parkour crew, and go-go dancers Ace Mackay-Smith aka the Foxy Moron, Nessa V, and Jina Anika. Additional filming by Adam Mackay-Smith, Colin Mcgreal and Robin Bell. Stunt Coordinator Jason Hardabura. Prepare to be blown away by an audio-visual experience of interstellar funk and esoteric imagery. The video even features an exclusive John Langdon created Fort Knox Five ambigram.