WYC4 — WYC4

JUL 01 2025 · 12:00

WYC4 — WYC4 (2025) Director: Ian Lopez Era: Mid-2020s Underground Hip-Hop Renaissance (2025) - Lo-fi aesthetic meets post-internet DIY rap filmmaking; warm-toned handheld documentary realism rooted in New York underground and transatlantic Black British rap scenes High curatorial value as a document of the mid-2020s underground rap aesthetic at its most refined — where technical restraint, warm naturalism, and rapid editorial rhythm coexist with genuine artistic ambition. The video functions as a time capsule of the transatlantic underground community around MIKE and the 10K ecosystem, and Ian Lopez's direction demonstrates how micro-budget filmmaking can achieve expressive density through editing pace and light rather than production spend. Context: Released April 2025 as a single from Pinball II, the collaborative project between New York underground rapper MIKE and producer Tony Seltzer — itself a sequel to their 2024 album Pinball. MIKE occupies a unique position as a British-raised, New York-based rapper who has been a critically acclaimed figure in the underground rap scene since his 2017 Pitchfork-recognized debut. The WYC4 video reflects the broader aesthetic of the 10K Projects-adjacent underground: low-budget, high-craft visual storytelling with a transatlantic sensibility. The co-starring presence of South London artist Jadasea, a longtime creative collaborator of MIKE's, grounds the video in the cross-Atlantic underground rap community. The Pinball II album features collaborators including Earl Sweatshirt, Clams Casino, and Niontay. Director notes: Directed the official music video for 'WYC4' by MIKE and Tony Seltzer, released April 20, 2025, as a single from the album Pinball II. The video co-stars British rapper and producer Jadasea alongside MIKE. Confirmed via multiple editorial sources including coverage originally originating from Pitchfork and reproduced by Yahoo Entertainment and DJ DiscJockey.