Official Music Video for "Papi" featuring Nicole Scherzinger by Todrick Hall Get a personalized video from me! cameo.com/todrick Follow Todrick: / todrick / toddyrockstar / todrick todrickhall.com
I really love the direction on this. At the beginning she's cute and sexy but a little pushy and by the end she moves like a predator and he is powerless. Also Nicole effing kills the vocals on this. She is so talented.
Well, when one realizes the song is about sexual abuse against minors in the business, the predator part stops being sexy (if ever was) and becomes disturbing.
I like how it switches from red to blue- red is her fantasy. She's sexy, confident, her hair is down, and Todrick is reciprocating her advances (leading the dance with her, staring down her shirt), but blue is the reality of it all- her hair is up, she's leading the dance, and Todrick is visibly uncomfortable. Just a neat lil detail.
I was almost done with the song but I’m restarting now🤣 Knew this song for a long time, I knew the lighting etc but didn’t realize that leading the dance was a metaphorical touch ;(
I'm coming back to this years later and just marveling at how much of a genius he is. I have a few things to say: 1. The subject matter. He's highlighting that men can also get harrassed in the music industry, which is mentioned even less than women, so not a lot. He's not only speaking for himself(assuming this is accurate) but for others in a similar situation. 2. Writing good songs is hard, but connecting them all to a theme is even harder. I applaud Todrick for sticking with the Wizard of Oz theme throughout the whole album. As you may know, there's an infamous poppy scene in twoo where Dorothy and the gang are succummbing and being put into eternal sleep, and later in the Wiz the poppies are depicted as dancers that 'seduce' people into staying with them forever. I love how he ties the harrassment analogy in there, as she's luring him with a promosing career("I can almost see your name in lights" "Destiny's calling and your future is so clear") but the outcome is uncertain. This is a scare tactic that many talent agencies use to get people to go with them, harrassment + assault included along w a promising career, that many people in the industry fall victim to. Overall, Todrick is a hugely underrated performer/storyteller, go listen to him, that's all i have to say. Thank you. Side note: Nicole Scherzinger can freakin' SIIIINNGG!!!!
yes, the industries harassment and sexual "promise to success" is the first thing that came to mind. Todrick has done something in a few videos that I am grateful for ... he put himself in the woman's place of how he's treated in the video -- or using male models as background as many video's place women. Women are not 'trophies', and this is a theme Todrick has used subtly in his videos. I'm sure the LGBT community is treated similarly as women in the industry.
I love this whole 'movie' and how Todrick used play-on-words to allude back to the story. Papi sounds like poppy, the red flowers in the field of dreams and excess in the book. She even wears poppy flowers on her dress at the end. All about giving into dreams and temptation.
This is one of my favorite songs in this entire production. The songwriting is so good. I wish Nicole did more like this. And "you've never touched a boob in your whole life, and she's got two of them!" is hilarious. Thank you for your art, Todrick.
Nicole Scherzinger is one of the best voices in modern music, and Todrick is one of the most creative and talented people in modern entertainment. What a pair. I can't believe that I only just found this!
It's rare when someone sings about the struggles of braking into the entertainment industry, and sexual harassment... Todrik really is ahead of his time. This is deep. Also, Nicole's vocals, damn! O.O'
@@NixenNight really? he is? no... I would have never guessed. And here I thought the entire "I like boys" was about him being super straight... /sarcastic gasp
@@NixenNight even if he was straight, a woman trying this on a guy would still be sexual harrasment, his sexuality doesn't really matter, all it does is make the point easier to grasp for some.
Actually it's not. There are tons of songs by many artists that sing and rap about the industry struggles and abuse. The cries are not only in music, but in other forms of social media. Actors/actresses as well. You just have to listen carefully. They're really crying out for help.
I cry every time he says “but I don’t know”. So heartbreaking the mess people have to endure in this industry. I just want to hug all these poor babies and destroy all the predators. 😥
He basically used the concept of the Poppies from the 1978 version of the movie "The Wiz" as a plot device to show how you can be lead astray from your path by something/someone, without actually knowing that, that's what going on. If you've seen The Wiz you'll understand. In The Wiz, the poppies were actually these really beautiful women, and you had to past by them on the yellow brick road in order to get to the Emerald City. They were dressed in really tight clothing, they were dancing and music was playing in the background. Dorothy and her crew were sucked into their charms and started walking and dancing with them, they in turn sprinkled them with some type of dust that put them to sleep. The poppies were sent by Evilene (the same character as the wicked witch of the west) to lure them away from seeing the Wizard and right into her hands.
Channel name don’t you think that both interpretations can’t exist together? Joe has a great point that there’s definitely a theme of the predatory nature of “show biz”
nicole : idk if i'm your body type Todrick : I like boys I like pecs Like them arms when they flex Like that print, in them sweats Tell them girls, thank you next
What I love about Todrick's videos is he makes sure everyone can fucking SING. All his guest stars have live-performance, Broadway-level quality. Compare it to so many pop stars who strain to find the right note without autotune. Nicole Scherzinger is such a joy to listen to!
Papi sounds like poppy Poppies in the Wizard of Oz made the characters sleep with them Nicole in this song is trying to seduce Todrick in to sleeping with her Todrick is so clever
Also in the Wiz the poppies are dancers that seductively dance around the lion. I remember back in junior year of HS we had to keep changing coero BC it was either too sexy for school or too boring. But it was fun (especially because I'm usually very modest so I surprised everyone when I was the one who danced the most flirty).
It's chilling how in the end, one moment Todrick looks determined to take advantage of the situation, probably telling himself this is nothing and he's the one using her to get what he wants, then next moment she's on top of him looking so dominant and uncontrollable, starkly reminding him of how she's the one using him and not the other way around, how he is not in control of this situation at all because she's too powerful and too unreliable, and he seems unsure again whether he's made the right choice. I love both of their acting so much
So, I just want to say that everything about this is BOMB, especially Nicole's vocals... The message creeped me the f*k out, but I'm not counting that as a bad since I totally get what this was criticizing. Props for making such a great, repeatable track that ALSO performs amazingly as critique of the industry that _sticks with you_ after. Really took me on _that_ journey.
This song is genius. And true. And I love the fact that it is shown out of a boys perspective, lured by a female boss. The fact that it is part of Todricks biography gives me shivers. And I love this song. Still. Every bit of it. After 4 years of listening and always coming back to this masterpiece video.
My heart. the way he looked at nicole on the masked singer as the bull melted my heart. she knew who he was right away! I love todrick so much! Yes he's the bull lol
ShaNellC326 I agree!! I can't even think of another (or better) word to describe it. He should be mainstream, his whole team, the dedication, the music, the meaning. All of it is 100%.
Can we just talk about how great the video editing/visual effects are in this video? Like how it goes back and forth between office lady to hair down lady to sexy flower lady
There are a lot of references here In Oz, Dorothy and friends are lulled to sleep by a field of Poppies - creating the reference for Todrick to 'sleep' with Nicole's character to get into the Industry Also, Poppy seeds are used to make Opium, a potent drug - a reference to the rampant use of drugs by celebrities. The Poppy field in Oz is a shortcut to the Emerald City - sleeping with her is a shortcut to fame Just a few examples of Todrick's genius.
This is genius! Highlighting sexual predation in music industry and the references to Wizard of Oz too. Nicole was perfect choice as she is so sensual, her voice is almost hypnotic at points plus she becomes very predatory in a very sexy way at the end...one of my fave songs ever
I listened to this SO MUCH when it first came out, then a few years later I was obsessed with it again.. and now AGAIN. It's such an amazing song to come back to whenever
It just hit me that this is Todrick’s version of the flower field. Being lulled into ‘sleep’, thinking everything is okay. It’s fine, everyone is doing it. This is how you make it in this world. Doesn’t matter what you were supposed to be doing, what goals you were striving for, just ‘sleep’ and everything will be okay. Oh god. My heart.
Everything about this gives me chills. Nicole's vocals are absolutely incredible. I had no idea she can sing like that. Todrick's story and everyone who put this all together, absolute perfection! I love their voices together too.
I want to cut Mrs. Scherzinger some slack! Really great move to be so brave to portray the one who is harassing! It's so exaggerated but the message comes across brilliantly!
OH MY GAWD PAPI = POPPY!!!! SHES A POPPY!!! LIKE WHY DIDNT I GET THIS SOONER??????? (the reference: in the original 'wizards of oz, dorothy is warned to not go into the field of poppies bc they had magical powers to make you fall asleep. in this, nicole (the poppy) is trying to tempt todrick into having an affair)
This song, video, the whole concept is just a phenomenal masterpiece! Seeing it so many times, even after 3 and a half years later, it's matchless. Both Todrick and Nicole are gorgeous and super gifted.
LYRICS: So glad you came to visit Your talent is exquisite Is it just me or is it getting hot in here? The AC might be broken Let's crack a window open Then hold me close so you can whisper in my ear Tell me all your dreams and fantasies Pardon me, I have a tendency to talk a lot Lay it all on me You little sexy piece of chocolate Well I don't know if I'm your body type But just close your eyes, enjoy the ride Won't you sway my waist from side to side? Make me say, ayy papi, ayy papi I know that it would be a shame if you blow the chance to taste the fame You want all of Oz to know your name Make me say, ayy papi, ayy papi, ayy Wait don't... wait don't go A little non-committal Just meet me in the middle Don't be afraid our little secret's safe in here You got potential Trevor It's Todrick Whatever Destiny's calling in, your future is so clear I can almost see your name in lights What a sight... my mind is spinning like a carousel Trevor all I need is a little taste of caramel Well I don't know if I'm your body type But just close your eyes, enjoy the ride Won't you sway my waist from side to side? Make me say, ayy papi, ayy papi I know that it would be a shame if you blow the chance to taste the fame You want all of Oz to know your name Make me say, ayy papi, ayy papi, ayy Find myself in the strangest predicament Her intentions could be innocent But I don't know if I should go through with this If I do, I risk saying yes But what if it's a test? That's a mess You can rest assured the fate of my success would be less But the question is if I should tell her no Would I blow my big break? Would it be a mistake? For God's sake, she's gotta know... She's not my body type And I know, what's wrong just can't be right On the one hand you got one life You should cut yourself some slack You know once she's had the chocolate then she's never going back Is she talking a big talk or is this how you play the game? She says I got sharp potential, she can't even say my name How many one-hit-wonders sit and wonder why we never knew of them? You've never touched a boob in your whole life and she's got two of them This road is full of choices, tough decisions, rough mistakes Take the highroad or the easy street, the choice is yours to make But I don't know If I'm your body type I'm so close to all those emerald lights Won't you stay and lay with me tonight Make me say, ayy papi, ayy papi I know that it would be a shame if you blow the chance to taste the fame You want all of Oz to know your name Make me say, ayy papi, ayy papi, ayy Well I don't know if I'm your body type But just close your eyes, enjoy the ride Won't you sway my waist from side to side? Make me say, ayy papi, ayy papi I know that it would be a shame if you blow the chance to taste the fame You want all of Oz to know your name Make me say, ayy papi, ayy papi, ayy
I realise that this is still an issue in the industry (a few industries, in fact) but can we just take a moment to appreciate how willing Scherzinger & Hall were to be lighthearted and have fun with this? Its great to see people have fun (& be a bit silly) doing what they love, while also making a point :-)
+Joelle Hill OH YES ME TOO THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVES AND I ALWAYS WANNA LISTEN TO THIS SO I ALWAYS FAST FORWARD THE WHOLE VIDEO AND I ALSO LOVE TO TYPE IN ALL CAPS
This was amazing! Why doesn't it have a billion views?! The acting was perfect. The choreography was perfect. The singing was perfect (Nicole's part was just undescribable). The song was just amazing! Todrick's got some serious song writing skills.
The play on lyrics... watched this years ago but coming back to it and having a slight twist of the common voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir with voudrais-tu rester et coucher avec moi ce soir phrase in english in there ....The innuendo in this song .is amazing .
Honestly I think this song outlines the inner-conflict that somebody in the gay community who would be considered "passing" goes through. People who can "pass" as straight, I've noticed, are often viewed as having an easier time in society because they don't need to be open. But the video made me think that there must be a lot of internal conflict because of the fact that Todrick can pass as an attractive person to women, not only men. Todrick could have pursued his career in music fronting as a straight man and lied to himself as a sacrifice to get what he wanted, or he could be out and honest and true to himself but probably face a harder time because of today's society and how gay people are treated and seen. Nicole in the video represents people in society who control a lot behind the scenes and get to pick and choose who they put out into the media. The way she sees or rather wants Todrick to be a straight, masculine man because he is attractive and can pass as straight outlines the inner-conflict somebody might go through if they can pass as a straight person. It's definitely easier to make it if you're straight in this society but at what cost? He would not be himself if he was in the closet. Probably a lot of famous actors and musicians in the past have pretended to be straight to get where they are because they felt like they had to, or they felt safer that way. Somebody else has also mentioned sexual misconduct and harassment in the workplace being symbolized here, which it certainly is! Nicole's character is clearly saying she's only going to promote Todrick if he sleeps with her! Which must happen a _lot_ in Hollywood, not only to young women but absolutely to young men as well.
So I'm realizing this song's title is probably a play on words reference to a significant element of the movie (like a lot the other songs), and Papi is a play on words for "Poppy". Probably in reference to dangerous the poppy fields that made dorthy fall asleep! So cool todrick
This is actually based on an event that actually happen. He didn't say yes to it in real life and it doesn't show his answer in the video. But even if he had I'd still call it at least manipulation. You know that thing you've been busting your ass your whole life for? Yeah I'll give it too you.... if you sleep with me. Anyone would feel corner by that. Maybe it's not rape but it's at least sexual harassment.
@@brittlandrum7672 literally, by legal definition, Sexual Assault is putting one in a predicament where they feel they must follow along or worse could happen. This definitely falls under that category.
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