Johnny Kemp Is Party Hunting In 1988 NYC On 'Just Got Paid'
Take out the lyrics stating the obvious and 'Just Got Paid' still works as a well-defined vibe check on those Friday, full-wallet feelings being young and hungry for adventure in a place like New York City.
But let's take a step back. Johnny Kemp got his start in the early 80s Harlem dance music scene, writing songs and singing backup for others. By the time 1988 rolled around, Kemp had earned himself enough equity to be releasing his own solo albums. Just in time to team up with New Jack Swing innovator Teddy Riley on a track & video that would help define the New Jack Swing era of R&B.
The song is pure bounce. The perfect cool down song for rushing out of work on a Friday at the stroke of five o'clock. But the song is only half of the experience.
The music video shows Johnny Kemp coming home to his brownstone from, what looks like, his hotshot architect job. Complete with one of those giant rolls of blueprint paper to get across that this man was working. I don't know why it felt like every young first-in-their-class New Yorker in the late 80s was an architect, but so be it.
From there, we see Kemp switching to his Friday night attire. Very suave, very 80s. Need proof this is 1989-89? Check the oversized suit and tie-less buttoned up dress shirt.
Around 1:17 into the video, we hit one of my favorite music video tropes. The "Just Work With It" set piece. In this instance, we're being told that Johnny Kemp is arriving to the club with his boys. We see him get out of his car, dap up some bros, and then we see him walk up to this club. This club that is smaller than a corner bodega, has three giant openings for people to stroll right through, and the inside looks like an ice cream counter at a luncheonette. But it’s bathed in hot pink lights, so I guess that makes it up to code for dancing.
This whole set piece is hilarious. But, thanks to some great choreography and a boundless amount of energy from Kemp and the song itself, goddammit if they don't make it all work.
Almost immediately, Kemp and his group hop in a car and drive over to a different club. An actual club. With big staircases and plenty of space to dance. The entire rest of the video is a pure victory lap. Kemp's got money in his pocket, everyone is happy to see him, and they're all excited that it's the weekend. I'm just excited they dipped out of that tiny ass first club.
While it seems like 'Just Got Paid' isn't doing anything revolutionary with its video, it doesn't have to. It's selling you vibes. Pure Friday night feelings. Johnny Kemp being the employee of the year. Nobody was better at selling you on party huntin' and body shakin'.
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