In early June, Atlanta Hip Hop act Divine Interface (Drew Briggs) graced us with Seeking Arrangement (released on 2MR), Briggs’ second EP. Now, he’s given us the music video for stand-out track “Sometimes,” and it’s the perfect reminder that even amidst unrest, there is still nothing quite like summer in Atlanta.
Nestled in the middle of Seeking Arrangement, “Sometimes” is a sexy yet soft and tender moment on the record. Briggs enlists the help of fellow Atlanta Hip Hop artist Fit of Body’s Ryan Parks to flesh out “Sometimes” to great effect. Parks’ straight-forward, baritone vocal delivery serves as an excellent foil to Briggs’ airy falsetto glazed over Miami Freestyle-inspired percussion. “Sometimes” is a delicate, understated take on electronic dance music, resulting in an effortlessly fresh track.
In the video, we find Briggs and Parks riding around Atlanta in a convertible. Seemingly aimless, the pair momentarily escape from the rest of the world. The mood is leisurely, free, and easy as they alternate between the roles of passenger and driver, only stopping briefly at Buddy’s convenience store in North Highland to presumably grab some provisions. This scene is overlaid with footage of Briggs playfully dancing alone on outdoor stair sets. Otherwise, it’s just two friends driving around together, having a sweet day, enjoying the simple beauty of a clear summer day. It’s a pure concept that mirrors the lyrics lightly kissed over the track: “Are we moving fast enough? / I don’t think we’re in a rush.”
“Sometimes” is the embodiment of a carefree moment with the sun on your face, and nowhere to be. It provides some welcomed levity, but it’s also nostalgia-inducing. For most, Summer 2020 isn’t filled with cruising, block parties, or laying by the pool with friends all day, orby humid, scantily-clad dance parties running late into the night. Many are unemployed, working despite health risks, protesting, taking on new roles in light of the movement, or in isolation.
The video devolves into a contemplative tonal shift, as we move to a rooftop in Downtown Atlanta where Briggs meditatively stands alone. The sharp percussion drops out, and we are left with the smooth, sensual repetition of “all we need is a touch.” The camera pans over multiple helicopters flying across the sunset. A final shot looks down to the streets full of protestors chanting “no justice, no peace.”
