Videos
Offset Channels Michael Jackson In New ‘Fan’ Music Video
Michael Jackson’s enduring influence on the music industry continues to resonate, reaffirming his well-deserved title as the King of Pop. In a fresh creative endeavor, Grammy-nominated rapper Offset draws inspiration from Jackson’s iconic imagery and the exploits of social media personality Kai Cenat to unveil the music video for his latest track, “Fan.” Through this video, Offset showcases not only his artistic vision but also his dance prowess and overall creative flair.
The video kicks off with a news anchor reporting live from “the aftermath of a riot,” where a Cenat lookalike can be heard shouting, “I don’t know what’s going on! It’s a riot!” The scene then shifts to Offset, who awakens on a mattress placed amid the chaos. This sequence appears to allude to Cenat’s headline-grabbing Manhattan giveaway on August 4, which unexpectedly spiraled into a riot, resulting in injuries, property damage, and Cenat’s arrest by the NYPD on charges of rioting, inciting a riot, and unlawful assembly.
Cenat himself makes an appearance in a promotional clip shared on Offset’s Instagram page, ultimately featuring in the official music video.
While the video’s primary visual narrative draws inspiration from Michael Jackson, particularly his groundbreaking “Thriller,” the storyline unfolds as Offset and his on-screen girlfriend, portrayed by Paige Hurd from “Everybody Hates Chris,” take a stroll through their neighborhood. When their relationship ends, Offset’s emotional turmoil transforms him into a werewolf, mirroring Jackson’s metamorphosis in John Landis’ iconic video. However, this eerie scene is revealed to be part of a movie that Offset and his girlfriend are watching. Yet, as they exit the movie theater, Offset undergoes another transformation, this time into a zombie, akin to Jackson’s transformation in his own visual masterpiece.
The references to MJ don’t end there. As the camera pans out to capture Offset lying on a mattress amidst the riot, the “Clout” rapper dons a replica of Jackson’s iconic single rhinestone-encrusted white glove. In another scene, an “Off the Wall” vinyl graces the couple’s bedroom. The latter part of the “Fan” video pays homage to Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” with Offset donning a similar white suit and hat, executing a suave dance sequence that includes a reverse Moonwalk.
This new video follows some MJ-related banter in the world of Offset and his Grammy-winning wife, Cardi B. During an interview on Hot 97 on September 8, Cardi humorously lamented about Offset’s Michael Jackson stomach tattoo, which she found distractingly placed. Offset responded by asserting that he has no intention of removing the tattoo.
On Thursday, September 14, Offset unveiled the official title and artwork for his upcoming second solo studio album. Titled Set It Off, the album features a semi-apocalyptic cover and is scheduled for release on October 13. Set It Off follows Offset’s 2019 debut solo studio album, Father of 4, which produced Billboard Hot 100 hits like “Red Room” and the Grammy-nominated “Clout,” featuring Cardi B. As a member of Migos, Offset has also contributed to the success of four studio albums, two of which have reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart.
