Voodoo Frankenstein Rap Video with 3D Printed Props Premieres in Brooklyn

The world’s first 3D printed rap music video premiered on Friday, February 12th in Brooklyn, called “The Black Crook.” The video featured a track from 20-year-old French rapper Marcus Dossavi-Gourdot, also known as KillASon. The music video is a voodoo-inspired remix of a classic piece of musical theater and the story of Frankenstein set to hip hop music and full of outrageous and colorful 3D printed props, jewelry and costumes. The video was conceived by and styled by industrial designer Célia Elmasu and artist Nelly Zagury, who are also the co-owners of New York-based jewelry brand Holy Faya.

The idea started innocently enough, Elmasu and Zagury were friends with an idea, but they had pesky day jobs that got in the way of making that idea a reality. So they made a pact to both quit together and devote themselves full time to making their hip hop musical based on “The Black Crook,” a Broadway production that many people consider to be the first piece of musical theater. It debuted for the first time on stage in 1866 and despite the original production being more than five hours long, it still managed to break box office records and run for 474 performances. Over the years the musical has been revived, remixed and reimagined multiple times and has been performed all over the world.

For this latest version of the story as reimagined by Elmasu and Zagury, it was transformed from a dark gothic, supernatural love story into a mash-up of the Frankenstein story and fantastical voodoo imagery all set to a rap beat. Elmasu and Zagury created all of the costumes, and especially the jewelry, which they intend to sell individual pieces of, which was primarily 3D printed on their in-house MakerBot Replicator. In addition to being used to help make most of the over the top props used, Elmasu and Zagury’s MakerBot is also featured prominently throughout the video

The story follows KillASon, who also provides the soundtrack for the short film, as a goldsmith sorcerer who makes a deal with the devil that goes horribly wrong. His plan for revenge includes magical battles, secret voodoo potions and ultimately the 3D printing of a Frankenstein-like monster. The 3D printed monster is a dancer, named Bats the Creature, who has been decked out in a jewel-encrusted costume covered with 3D printed embellishments like a blinged out grill with what look like rows and rows of bone white teeth. Oh, and bejeweled Nikes, because of course.

The costumes and props designed by Elmasu and Zagury for KillASon as the sorcerer took their original concept for the musical and turned it up to eleven. He’s dressed in a dramatic Sevillano hat that is crawling with snakes that are drinking from a lake made of mother of pearl. He’s also wearing a bug and bead covered collar inspired by ancient Egyptian jewelry around his neck. There is also an eye patch, a lizard earring and of course his sorcerer’s scepter. They also designed all of the various magical items and weapons that are seen throughout the video.

The full short film was screened Friday night at the Chimney NYC in Williamsburg (where else) and Elmasu and Zagury arranged all of the props and costumes in the space “Planet Hollywood style.” The Holy Faya jewelry collection consists of the character’s various accessories seen in the video and they were made mostly of 3D printed bioplastic. Many of the pieces are gold-plated, with brass and gem details. The video was filmed in December with KillASon, dancer Bathily Mamadou aka Bats the Monster, and directed by Alexandre Degardin. You can see more pictures from the production on the Holy Faya Facebook page and their Instagram profile. Does this music interest you? Discuss in the Music Video & 3D Printed Props forum over at 3DPB.com.

Check out a shorter version of the film here on Vimeo.