Before Machine Gun Kelly, Bebe Rexha, and X Ambassadors team up in the highly-anticipated video for “Home” off the Bright soundtrack, Rap-Up brings you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the star-studded visual.
Live from the South Los Angeles set, MGK explains why the song is so personal for him. “A friend of mine passed the night before the deadline for the song,” he said. “It was Chester Bennington from Linkin Park and we were about to go on tour together. I just sat for a couple of hours and decided to go to the studio to see if I could do anything to the song, see if anything would happen. What I wrote is what came out of my pen that night.”
The preview finds Young Gunner walking around the streets of L.A., where he gets a lot of love. Joined by Bebe, Sam, and others, Kellz appears to stand in solidarity with his friends in the face of the police. Standing amid a line of palm trees, a shirtless Kellz went on to say that “Home” could also have a social-political impact and that he’s proud of its message. “I’m down with standing up against stereotypes and all this race violence and discrimination,” he said. “It’s coming at a perfect time.”
For Bebe, the song is also about familiarity. “It’s feeling like you just want to find somewhere to rest your head,” she said. “To feel safe, to feel like you’re not the only one, and you’re not alone. I think a lot of people feel that way. That’s why I think that the song will definitely resonate with a lot of people.”
Directed by Bright director David Ayer, the “Home” visual will premiere on Netflix as part of Bright: The Music Videos. Ayer provided a new experience for Kelly, who said it was unlike any other visual he’s been a part of. “I’ve done 100-plus music videos,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve ever done a music video like this.”
Featuring A$AP Rocky, Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Logic, Meek Mill, Migos, Snoop Dogg, YG, and many more, Bright: The Album is due Dec. 13, while the film, starring Will Smith, hits Netflix on Dec. 22.
Go behind the scenes of “Home” below and catch the full video via Netflix on Thanksgiving Day.