NEW RELEASE: Blake Lewis "Break Anotha"

It's the best of times and the worst of times for American Idol. The new series debut this week was the most-watched TV show of the season thus far — garnering more viewers than those who tuned into competing fare on ABC, CBS, NBC and the CW combined —  but was still down 11% percent from last year's bow. Season 5 fave Chris Daughtry has found massive success with his rock outfit Daughtry — four million albums sold and a few Grammy nominations, for good measure — but previous finalists Katherine McPhee, Taylor Hicks and Ruben Studdard all found themselves dropped after falling short of expectations. It is into this tenuous situation that 2007 runner-up Blake Lewis unleahses his debut video "Break Anotha." Odds are stacked against him: He's known for his human DJ "skills" and the choice of "Anotha" over "Another" in the song title is a potential red flag. On the other hand, the video is directed by creative, yet underappreciated Sanji — check his Lauryn Hill "Everything Is Everything" and Maxwell "This Woman's Work" videos for a reminder — and there's a likable lo-fi, '70s vibe to the whole effort. Beat Box Blake performs in front of the tried and true simple effect of floating ink explosions — see Bright Eyes "Hot Knives" for a recent example — while surveillance style shots capture a couple on the verge of a break-up due to his unceasing desire for strange. --> watch "Break Anotha"

Blake Lewis "Break Anotha" (19/Arista/J)
Sanji, director | Gina Leonard, producer | Siblings, production co | Yell Productions, rep | Eric Whycoff , DP | Sanji & Jason Dopko, editors | Ariana Nakata, production designer

SHOT: Leona Lewis - Jessy Terrero, director

UK phenom Leona Lewis hit the streets of NYC to shoot a video with director Jessy Terrero to coincide with the US debut of her single, "Bleeding Love."

artist: Leona Lewis
song: "Bleeding Love"
label: J Records
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films

PHOTO: J. Valentine "She Worth The Trouble"

Director Rock Jacobs (far left) on the set of "She Worth The Trouble" with lead actress Azure De Johnson, singer J. Valentine and 1st AD Jamar Hawkins.

The video supports J. Valentine's J Records release Conversation Piece. Video was produced through Rock Jacobs' own Rush Films, with representation by Lannette Phillips Management.

NEW RELEASE: Alicia Keys "Like You'll Never See Me Again"

Mama always said you should never leave the house angry because you never know when your lover is gonna get mauled in a motorcycle accident. Alicia Keys probably wishes she had made peace with her man — played by Common, a rapper so suave he even looks cool when covered in blood and on life support — in this reverse chronological clip for "Like You'll Never See Me Again." The action starts with Common's life in the balance and then rewinds to show how he and  Ms. Keys were on the outs, yet still in love. The source of the breakup and the smash-up are both left to the viewer's imagination, but the emotions are pretty easy to discern through all the surrounding exposition scenes. PS: No word on whether Common was wearing clean underwear. mama always warned me about that too. --> watch "Like You'll Never See Me Again"

Alicia Keys "Like You'll Never See Me Again" (J Records)
Diane Martel, director | Jil Hardin, producer | HSI, production co | Ben Serensin, DP | Holle Singer @ Final Cut, editor | Description: xxx

BOOKED: J. Valentine - Rock Jacobs, director

artist: J. Valentine
song: "She Worth The Trouble"
label: J Records
director(s): Rock Jacobs
production co: Rush Films
rep: Lanette Phillips Management

BOOKED: I-Nine - Ray Kay, director

artist: I Nine
song: "Seven Days Of Lonely"
label: Arista/J Records
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Say Anything - Wayne Isham, director

artist: Say Anything
song: "Baby Girl, I'm A Blur"
label: J Records
director(s): Wayne Isham
production co: Merge @ Crossroads

NEW RELEASE: Alicia Keys "No One"

At Mexican restaurants you can usually get a condiment caddy that comes on a rotating lazy-susan with four different sections – one red salsa, one green, sour cream and guacamole. The latest video for Alicia Keys "No One" is just like that, except that the side-dish Zoetrope is the inner-mechanism of a musicbox that spins between various performance set-ups and styling looks rather than delicious chip accouterments.
    Director Justin Francis, most often associated with Saline Project, lets Ms Keys look four kinds of beautiful while the four way division also allows the video to show off four different kinds of product placement watches. The video ends with a block party in an alley with rain coming down and an upbeat, celebratory feel that matches the energy of the track. Also, getting Alicia wet actually gives the video a fifth hairstyle. Yahtzee! (review by Doug Stern)--> watch "No One" via YouTube and SonyBMG Musicbox

Alicia Keys "No One" (J Records)
Justin Francis, director | Alison Foster, producer | HSI, production co | Robin Frank Management, rep | Pascal Lebeque, DP | Jarrett Fijal, editor | Paula Good, production designer

BOOKED: Alicia Keys - Justin Francis, director

artist: Alicia Keys
song: "No One"
label: J Records
director(s): Justin Francis
production co: HSI Productions
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Hurricane Chris - Dale "Rage" Resteghini, director

Hurricane Chris and his Shreveport, LA crew take over Hollywood in this follow-up to "A Bay Bay Bay."

artist: Hurricane Chris
song: "Hand Clap" 
label: Polo Grounds/J Records
director(s): Dale "Rage" Resteghini
production co: Raging Nation Films
rep: Yell Productions

SHOT: Emily King f/ Lupe Fiasco - Syndrome, directors

artist: Emily King feat. Lupe Fiasco
song: "Walk In My Shoes"   
label: J Records
director(s): Syndrome   
production co: Robot Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Santana f/ Chad Kroeger - Jessy Terrero, director

"Into The Night" is one of three new tracks on the upcoming Santana career retrospective, Ultimate Santana. The video stars Freddy Rodriquez (Grindhouse, Six Feet Under) and Dania Rodriguez (aka AJ's girlfriend Blanca on The Sopranos).

artist: Santana feat. Chad Kroeger
song: "Into The Night"
label: Arista/J Records
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Paula DeAnda - Bille Woodruff, director

artist: Paula DeAnda feat. Bow Wow 
song: "Easy" 
label: Arista/J Records
director(s): Bille Woodruff
production co: Form TV
rep: Yell Productions

SHOT: Hurricane Chris - Bernard Gourley, director

artist: Hurricane Chris
song: "A Bay Bay"
label: Polo Grounds/J Records
director(s): Bernard Gourley
production co: Immigrant Film
rep: Yell Productuions

BOOKED: Say Anything - Shane Drake, director

artist: Say Anything  
song: "Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too"
label: Doghouse/J Records
director(s): Shane Drake
production co: Merge @ Crossroads 
rep: Labuda Management

BOOKED: Fantasia - Ray Kay, director

artist: Fantasia
song: "Hood Boy"
label: J Records
director(s): Ray Kay   
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Tyrese - Benny Boom, director

artist: Tyrese
song: "One"
label: J Records
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: F.M. Rocks

BOOKED: Monica - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Monica
song: "Dozen Roses (You Remind Me)"
label: J Records
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Slow Runner "You're In Luck"

Slow Runner
"You're In Luck" (J Records)
Matt Ornstein, director | Rob Schroeder, producer | Sound & Vision, production co | Florian Stadler, DP | Ben McCambridge, editor | Description: Even the unluckiest people in the world sometimes get lucky in love. That's the case with a hapless couple in this video for indie pop act Slow Runner. -- watch "You're In Luck" in Quicktime, Real or Windows Media

BOOKED: Paula Deanda - Ray Kay, director

artist: Paula Deanda feat. The Dey
song: "Walk Away"
label: Arista/J Records
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Rod Stewart - Nigel Dick, director

Having made his way through the standards, Rod Stewart now turns his attention back to rock music with Still The Same... Great Rock Classics Of Our Time. This video for the Creedence Clearwater Revival hit "Have You Ever Seen The Rain" was shot at a mock live concert staged in London.

artist: Rod Stewart  
song: "Have You Ever Seen The Rain"
label: J Records 
director(s): Nigel Dick
production co: DNA

SHOT: Ruben Studdard - Lenny Bass, director

2004 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard returns with "Change Me." The video was shot in NYC and will feature America's Next Top Model contestant Bre.

artist: Ruben Studdard
song: "Change Me" 
label: J Records
director(s): Lenny Bass
production co: DNA

SHOT: One Chance feat. D4L - Ray Kay, director

Director Ray Kay (center) with the guys of One Chance and D4L on the set of "Look At Her."

artist: One Chance feat. D4L
song: "Look At Her"
label: US/J Records
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Flyleaf "Fully Alive"

Flyleaf
"Fully Alive" (Octone/J Records)
The Brothers Strause, director | Rocky Bice, producer | Tight, production co | Claudio Miranda , DP | hy*drau"lx, editors | Description: Singer Lacey Mosley and her Flyleaf bandmates perform in the a world that's on the verge of crumbling to pieces. Smashed apart and partially de-limbed statues scattered around the band seems to be an indication to their eventual fate, until the sun comes out and things settle down. -- watch "Fully Alive"

BOOKED: Happy Endings - Ryan Smith, director

artist: Happy Endings
song: "Miracle"
label: J Records
director(s): Ryan Smith
production co: Merge @ Crossroads
rep: Labuda Management

PHOTO: Ray Kay w/ Monica, JD & Dem Franchize Boyz

Rockhard Films director Ray Kay (far left), Jermaine Dupri (fourth from left) and Dem Franchize Boyz hang with Monica on the set of  "Everytime Tha Beat Drops. " Ray Kay is represented by Robin Frank Management.

BOOKED: Monica - Ray Kay, director

artist: Monica feat. Dem Franchize Boys
song: "Everytime Tha Beat Drop"
label: J Records
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

NEW RELEASE: Mario Vazquez "Gallery"

Mario Vazquez feat. Baby Bash
"Gallery" (Arista/J Records)
Alex De Rakoff, director | Billy Parks, producer | The Artists Company, production co | David Baum , editor | Description: Former American Idol contestant Mario Vazquez romances a girl from around the block, despite her overly possessive boyfriend. Most of the action takes place at a posh club and in the grimey shadow of the Williamsburg Bridge. -- watch "Gallery"

NEW RELEASE: Pearl Jam "Life Wasted"

Pearl Jam
"Life Wasted" (J Records)
Fernando Apodaca, director | Eddie Vedder & Jason Mueller, producers | Ananda & Jess MacDonald, DPs | Jason Mueller, editor | Description: When Pearl Jam retreated from the music video world in the wake of their massively successful "Jeremy" clip, many considered it a supremely foolish and self defeating move. It's now 15 years later and nearly every other band that was lumped into the Seattle grunge scene has long since imploded, while Pearl Jam is still actively making music. "Life Wasted" is the first Pearl Jam video since 1998's "Do The Evolution" which was an exclusively animated affair directed by Todd McFarlane. This clip seems to be a by-product of  photography sessions for their new album artwork, but it's nonetheless the kind of organic, low-key video that lets the band maintain their credibility while tiptoeing back into this visu al medium. Also attesting to band's cred is the fact that the video is currently available for free download at Google Video through May 24 and is licensed for free distribution and broadcast through a Creative Commons license. -- watch "Life Wasted"

SHOT: Paula Deanda - Diane Martel, director

artist: Paula Deanda feat. Baby Bash
song: "Doing Too Much"
label: J Records
director(s): Diane Martel
production co: DNA

SHOT: Mario Vazquez - Alex DeRakoff, director

Infamous for voluntarily bowing out of American Idol after reaching the Top 12, Mario Vazquez is set to make his official debut with this video featuring Baby Bash.

artist: Mario Vazquez
song: "Gallery"
label: Arista/J Records
director(s): Alex DeRakoff
production co: The Artists Company
rep: Laure Scott

BOOKED: Santana feat. Sean Paul - Chris Robinson, director

artist: Santana feat. Sean Paul
song: "Cry Baby Cry"
label: Artista/J Records
director(s): Chris Robinson
production co: HSI
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Say Anything - Kevin Kerslake, director

Director Kevin Kerslake delivers a love story from what seems to be a regular summer camp, but turns out to be someplace much more sinister.

artist: Say Anything
song: "Alive With The Glory Of Love"
label: Doghouse/J Records
director(s): Kevin Kerslake
production co: Merge @ Crossroads
rep: Labuda Management

BOOKED: Santana feat. Steven Tyler - Dave Meyers, director

Director Dave Meyer's video for the collaboration between Santana and Aerosmith frontman  Steven Tyler is underway in Tyler's hometown of Boston. The clip stars Lords Of Dogtown actress Nikki Reed.

artist: Santana feat. Steven Tyler
song: "Just Feel Better"
label: J Records
director(s): Dave Meyers
production co: @radical.media

BOOKED: One Chance - Moses, director

Hip-hop TV vet Moses Edinborough, who produced and directed the Showtime series Interscope Records Presents The Next Episode, will be directing a video for One Chance. The r&b group are the first act signed to Usher's boutique label, Us Records.

artist: One Chance
song: "That's My Word"
label: Us/J Records
director(s): Moses
production co: A Band Apart

BOOKED: Mario feat. Juvenile - Benny Boom, director

artist: Mario feat. Juvenile
song: "Boom"
label: J Records
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: F.M. Rocks
rep: Milk & Honey

BOOKED: Mashonda - Ray Kay, director

Scheduled to shoot in NYC...

artist: Mashonda featuring Nas
song: "Black Out"
label: J Records
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

SHOT: Fantasia - Lenny Bass, director

This video for 2004 American Idol winner Fantasia finds the singer mustering up the courage to free herself from an abusive relationship.

artist: Fantasia
song: "Free Yourself"
label: J Records
director(s): Lenny Bass
production co: DNA

NEW RELEASE: Gavin DeGraw "Chariot"

Gavin DeGraw "Chariot" J Records
Zach Braff, director
Coleen Haynes, producer
DNA, production company
Description: This video tells a light-hearted tale of how Gavin DeGraw got plucked from behind the piano at a bar and taken on whirlwind journey to fame. After getting seduced by a beautiful woman and a big record company, his life is never the same. They take him to fancy parties and arrange glamorous video shoots where he's surrounded by models and the appropriate bling-bling accoutrements. The only place he seems comfortable in at his live performance, but he soon realizes that even that environment is artificial and the product of green screen trickery. At video's end he gets fed up and decides to walk away in search of something more pure and real.

"Chariot" was directed by Scrubs star and Garden State auteur Zach Braff - who shows a real flair here for seamless transitions and constructing a video that has a true beginning, middle and end.  Scrubs co-star Donald Faison makes a memorable appearance as a typical hip-hop power player, while model/actress Jamie King stars as the record company temptress.

SHOT: Mashonda - Jessy Terrero, director

artist: Mashonda
song: "Back Of Da Club"
label: Full Surface/J Records
director(s): Jessy Terrero
production co: Terrero Films/Lotus Filmworks
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Mario - Ray Kay, director

artist: Mario
song: "Here I Go Again"
label: J
director(s): Ray Kay
production co: Rockhard Films
rep: Robin Frank Management

BOOKED: Gavin DeGraw - Zach Braff, director

Scrubs star/Garden State director Zach Braff is set to direct "Chariot," the next video from Gavin DeGraw.

artist: Gavin DeGraw
song: "Chariot"
label: J
director(s): Zach Braff
production co: DNA

BOOKED: Cassidy - Benny Boom, director

Director Benny Boom will capture a gritty day in the life of Cassidy in "I'm A Hustla." The video is being shot in the rapper's hometown of Philadelphia.

artist: Cassidy
song: "I'm A Hustla"
label: Full Surface/J
director(s): Benny Boom
production co: F.M. Rocks
rep: Milk & Honey