Flashback Video: 'Self Destruction' by The Stop the Violence Movement

Ever since the dawn of MTV and Friday Night Videos, the music video has significantly impacted musical tastes and pop culture. It might not be as extreme as when the Buggles declared that "Video Killed the Radio Star", but there is no arguing that the music video certainly could make or break a song's popularity. So this regular Flashback Video feature will serve to remember some of the music videos from the great '80s decade that made an impact on me in one way or another.

This issue we will cover "Self Destruction" by The Stop the Violence Movement. The single was released in January of 1989 and would hold the #1 spot on Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart for 10 weeks. The all-star group of hip hop artists was brought together by KRS-One of Boogie Down Productions in response to violence in the hip hop and African American communities.

Here is the list of those who co-wrote and contributed vocals on the song: Boogie Down Productions' KRS-One, D-Nice & Ms. Melodie, Stetsasonic's Daddy-O, MC Delite, Wise & Frukwan, Kool Moe Dee, MC Lyte (verse written by LL Cool J), Doug E. Fresh, Just-Ice, Heavy D, and Public Enemy's Chuck D & Flavor Flav. 

The music video for "Self Destruction" was directed by Lionel C. Martin and Andre Banks with Ralph McDaniels as producer. Martin directed several rap videos in the late-80s continuing throughout the '90s and beyond also branching out into R&B as well. Martin started off working with Heavy D. and then directed other videos including Big Daddy Kane "Ain't No Half-Steppin'", MC Lyte "Light as a Rock", Public Enemy "Night of the Living Baseheads" Biz Markie's "Just a Friend", Marley Marl "The Symphony" and 3rd Bass "The Gas Face" among several others throughout the '80s. Banks had no other directing experience but was later a gaffer on the 1992 film Juice. This video was filmed in the neighborhood of Harlem in New York City. Big Daddy Kane along with west coast rappers Tone Loc and Young MC as well as Digital Underground frontman Shock G visited the video shoot and participated in the event.

Here is the music video for "Self Destruction" by The Stop the Violence Movement...

The single raised over $100,000 that was donated to the National Urban League.

A VHS cassette entitled Overcoming Self-Destruction—the Making of the Self-Destruction Video accompanied the song's release. You can watch this documentary below if you are interested in finding out more...

Hope you enjoyed another trip back to the '80s thanks to Flashback Video!