Seattle's boundary-pushing artist Doc Backer has teamed with Milwaukee's viral sensation MyaaP for their explosive new collaboration "Rent," accompanied by a mind-bending music video that feels like "an episode of Black Mirror on shrooms." Directed by KATAI, known for his dystopian visuals for Kali Uchis, the video transforms the genre-blurring track into a haunting commentary on digital culture.
The visual narrative follows Doc Backer as he spirals through a sterile digital purgatory, trapped in a world where attention has become currency and human emotions are commodified. The stark, clinical aesthetic creates an unsettling atmosphere that perfectly complements the song's experimental nature.
MyaaP makes her entrance like "a glitch in the matrix," disrupting the oppressive digital landscape with her signature dance-driven cadence and fierce charisma. Known for her ultra-viral track "Fairy" that ignited massive dance trends across TikTok, MyaaP brings her lowend Milwaukee sound to the collaboration, creating a striking contrast with Doc Backer's alternative approach.
Doc Backer, born Fredrake Backer Vernoy, has built a reputation as a genre-fluid innovator whose evolution spans alt rock, experimental folk, and alternative rap. His recent collaborations include work with Riff Raff and a remix by R3hab, while his discography features production from notable names like Bobby Wooten, GRAMMY-nominated Titanic Sinclair, and Matt Malpass.
The pairing with KATAI for the video direction proves especially fitting, given the director's reputation for creating visually stunning yet disturbing content that critiques modern culture. The result is a visual experience that amplifies the song's themes while showcasing both artists' willingness to push creative boundaries.
"Rent" represents more than just a collaboration between two distinct regional sounds – it's a statement about art in the digital age, wrapped in a dystopian visual package that demands attention while questioning the very nature of seeking it.
The "Rent" music video is available now on YouTube, with the track streaming across all platforms.
