The iconic shot of a rock being thrown directly at the camera took over 10 attempts to get right because the actor had a "curve on his throwing arm". Meaning & Legacy
Due to travel restrictions following the September 11 attacks, the "South Africa" riot scenes were actually filmed in Los Angeles . Nas - One Mic (Official HD Video)
Nas is often shown alone in a simple, empty room, symbolizing the "essence of an MC" stripped of the typical hip-hop "drama, diamonds, and disses". The iconic shot of a rock being thrown
The "rioters" in the video were played by members of a local inner-city baseball team from L.A.. The "rioters" in the video were played by
Chris Robinson utilized specific visual techniques to translate Nas's lyrics into a "raw yet elegant" filmic experience:
One of the video's most striking elements is its recreation of the in South Africa. Robinson persuaded Nas to include this to highlight the universality of the fight against oppression, paralleling inner-city struggles in America with the anti-apartheid movement.
The video juxtaposes local scenes of police harassment in New York City with international struggles. Global Parallel: The Soweto Uprising