Ariana, Nicki and Jessie J Dance in the Streets for ‘Bang Bang’ Clip
A song like “Bang Bang,” Jessie J’s pop assault that also features Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, was designed to burn up the summer charts, and it’s now been given an equally scorching video.
The theme is hot time, summer in the city, and the “Bang Bang” clip kicks off with Grande prepping herself at home, Minaj hopping on a helicopter, and Jessie J pulling up in a blazing pink muscle car. The British pop star leads a sweltering horde through the streets as she and Grande — doing her own thing with a cadre of backup dancers in a neon-lit room — show off their diva-sized pipes, but unsurprisingly it’s Minaj who brings everyone together. After her chopper lands on top of a roof, Minaj delivers her merciless verses like the Pied Piper of girl power, bringing the whole party to her, because a grand finale is nothing if it doesn’t take place thousands of feet in the air.
“Bang Bang” has been a blockbuster track for Jessie J, topping both the iTunes sales and Billboard Streaming charts upon its debut, then entering the Hot 100 at Number Six. Originally penned by super-producer Max Martin, Jessie J spoke to Rolling Stone recently about how the final version of the song came together.
“After Max sent it over, I rewrote some of the song and made it feel more me,” the singer recalled. “I put my vocal on it, and it just felt special, exciting. David Guetta walked past the studio and was like, ‘I like this song.’ Emeli Sandé was like, ‘Oh, I heard that song and it sounded sick.’ And then Max was like, ‘I want to get Ariana to jump on it.’ I was like, ‘Yeah.’ She recorded her part in the following two days. Then, within a week, Nicki had heard it and was like, ‘I want to get on this,’ and it kind of became this female anthem, like a girl band. Not a feature, but a moment where all of us can really show off what makes us us. And do it together.”