In January, Common teamed up with drummer-producer Karriem Riggins and pianist Robert Glasper to form the group August Greene. The trio then linked with singer Brandy for the song "Optimistic" and now drop f the song's visuals.
Filmed in Jackson, Miss. over Martin Luther King Day weekend, the "Optimistic" video features appearances from activists Hollis Watkins, Frankye Adams Johnson, Dr. Cindy Ayers and more. Mixing shots the artists in the studio along with scenes children playing, the video matches the song's positive message Black excellence.
Along with the new video, August Greene is also gearing up for their self-titled debut album, which is set to release on March 9 Amazon Music. “August Greene actually formed before we chose a name, before we even knew it was a band,” Common said about the group.
"Karriem, Rob and I go back many years. It was something natural. When I started working with them it was like, ‘man, this feels like home,’ and it felt new and fresh. We love working together. The music takes us all to new places and it just feels like, everything I want to be as a musician is within the group August Greene.”
While the upcoming project will be the trio's first, Common, Riggins and Glasper previously worked together for the 2016 song "Letter to the Free." Recorded for Ava DuVernay's 13th documentary, the track went on to win the 2017 Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.
Check out the "Optimistic" video below.