New Orleans musical group Tank and the Bangas release jovial visual for ‘Ain’t That Deep’: Watch
Last month, New Orleans musical group Tank and the Bangas released the fun-filled music video for ‘Ain’t That Deep’. Shot in the bustling Uptown area of her city, we get to witness her soul amongst people from her neighbourhood. There’s an array of different characters throughout the production, including a man in mostly lavender, two gentlemen having a drink, a staring brown dog in a pickup truck and the legendary Flagboy Giz.
The significance of Flagboy Giz’s suit is tied to the Mardi Gras Indian tradition, which is a centuries-old custom where Black New Orleanians hand-sew elaborate suits. The suits draw inspiration from Native American imagery to honour the Indigenous communities who aided enslaved Africans in Louisiana. Members of the culture prefer the term “suit” over “costume”. These garments require a year to make and weigh anywhere from forty-five to one hundred fifty pounds, plus, due to the large volume of feathers, rhinestones, and heads. A new suit is traditionally created every year for events like Mardi Gras and Super Sunday, after which the previous year’s suit is often retired.
Watch the Rippy Austin and Tarriona “Tank” Ball direction above.
