Mya - Case Of The Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do)

2000

Mya - Case Of The Ex (Whatcha Gonna Do) (2000) Director: Diane Martel Era: Y2K Pop-R&B Peak (2000) - The millennial turn of early digital-era R&B, defined by post-TLC female empowerment aesthetics, Interscope-era gloss, and desert-spectacle choreography music videos. High. 'Case of the Ex' is a confirmed cultural landmark of Y2K-era R&B, with documented chart impact (#2 US Billboard Hot 100), formal choreography awards recognition, and sustained critical discourse around its visual politics. The video represents a significant and verifiable node in Diane Martel's career and in the broader history of female-centered R&B video aesthetics. Its rapid editing pace (1.72s avg shot length), warm Mojave color temperature, and formation choreography are analytically rich for era-specific production studies. Context: Released July 11, 2000 as the second single from Mya's sophomore album Fear of Flying (Interscope Records), 'Case of the Ex' arrived at the precise inflection point of millennial R&B's commercial apex. The track, produced by Tricky Stewart, became Mya's breakthrough hit, peaking at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks and topping the Australian ARIA Singles Chart for two weeks in March 2001. The video's Mojave Desert setting and all-female warrior choreography contributed to a documented discourse around female agency in R&B visuals, with critics comparing it to Janet Jackson's 'You Want This' (1994) and noting its post-apocalyptic Mad Max visual grammar. VH1 recognized the video in their list of Best R&B Music Video Choreography of the 1990s and 2000s, and Out magazine cited it among the most empowering and influential all-girl dance routines in music video history. Director notes: The video for 'Case of the Ex' was filmed on location in the Mojave Desert, California. It was choreographed by Tina Landon, who won an American Choreography Award for 'Best Hip Hop Music Video' for this work. The video premiered on BET the week ending June 26, 2000, and later aired on MTV the week ending July 24, 2000. The desert setting and martial-arts staff choreography drew documented critical comparisons to Janet Jackson's 'You Want This' (1994) and Mel Gibson's 1979 film Mad Max. The video was nominated for a Washington Area Music Award for Video of the Year. Martel's body of R&B/pop work at this period included multiple Mariah Carey collaborations and videos for Christina Aguilera, establishing her as a leading director in the female empowerment visual idiom of the era.