American actor Jussie Smollett has premiered the video for his new song Hurt People, which was shot in Soweto, South Africa
The Empire actor visited South Africa in December to shoot the video, which stars a very pregnant Nkateko ‘Takkies’ Maswanganye.
The dancer took to Instagram shortly after the video was released to reveal that she was eight months pregnant at the time.
“So happy to see @jussiesmollett beautiful music video for HURT PEOPLE is out now.
“Was fun dancing when 8 months pregnant with @sanadinwiddy the end result is brilliant Plus I had the bonus of getting to work with the legendary creative director @frankgatson (sic),” she wrote on Instagram.
Jussie told Vogue magazine that the vision for his Hurt People video was influenced by Winnie and Nelson Mandela ability to turn “hurt into furthering the fight for power and love”
He says he knew when he wrote the song that he would shoot the video in South Africa.
“I knew the moment Jim Beanz and I wrote the song how I would visualise it.
“I said to him the night we recorded it: ‘I’m directing this and we’re shooting it in South Africa.’ I could see it in my head so clearly,” he told the publication.
Jussie says he enjoyed celebrating South Africa in the video
He says is particularly proud that he only used South African talent for the shoot. Every artist, musician, crew member and designer who worked on the video if from SA.
“I think – as our mother – Africa should be celebrated. Africa is the original. The prototype. As are its people. When I think of someone who was consistently attacked and could’ve given in it’s Nelson and Winnie Mandela. This video is completely inspired by them.”