Synopsis

In stark black and white, Spoek Mathambo moves through a graveyard and a derelict building in a white suit, addressing the camera through a megaphone. Around him, neighborhood children perform twitching, ritual-like dances, chase one another through empty rooms, and throw chalk and powder into the air. The atmosphere shifts between street sermon, possession, and gang ritual as the dancers gather around Mathambo. Their increasingly aggressive movements culminate in a chaotic physical confrontation that leaves him overwhelmed by the collective force around him.

Factoids & Trivia

• "Control" is Mathambo's reworking of Joy Division's "She's Lost Control," translating the original post-punk tension into what was described as "darkwave township house."

• The video was filmed in a squatted train boarding house in Langa, Cape Town. Its decaying interiors and stark monochrome photography give the performance a deliberately haunted, post-industrial atmosphere.

• Most of the young performers came from Happy Feet, a neighborhood dance troupe in Langa. The production also acknowledged the Langa Hostel Committee and the local dance organization in its credits.

• The production used three Canon 5D cameras. Richard Starkey handled the edit and post-production, while Mike Berg was responsible for production design.

• "Control" was the fourth video associated with Mathambo's debut album, Mshini Wam, released in 2010. The video premiered online through Dazed in February 2011.

• The clip gained international attention during 2011, receiving coverage from outlets including The FADER and becoming one of the most widely circulated videos from the Mshini Wam era.

• The video was nominated in the Best Pop Video - Budget and Best Dance Video - Budget categories at the 2011 UK Music Video Awards.