close menu

Idris Elba Gets Down in Macklemore’s “Dance Off” Video

Have a big score that needs settling? Or simply need some competitive fuel for the weekend? Macklemore suggests a dance off, and Idris Elba, who features in the rapper’s new video (in a posh fur coat, no less), practically demands it.

“I challenge you to a dance off/hands off, no trash talk,” Elba says, opening the clip in his low, British-inflected voice. “Just you and me/that’s all, no cat calls/no tag teams, no mascots/right now, dance off!”

After Elba’s intimidating monologue, Macklemore crashes a wedding reception and drops some moves in the middle of the ballroom, inspiring many others to join. From there, the Mack wanders through what appears to be some kind of elegant events space, complete with a gym, a restaurant, and massage tables. As we follow the Seattle MC through the luxurious building, things steadily devolve from elegance to debauchery—all in the name of the dance off, of course.

In the restaurant, an angsty diner takes the floor to challenge another patron. His waitress then smashes him in the head with a coffee pot and drops some aggressive moves of her own. Gym rats, bellhops, and masseurs all get in on the dance action, and Macklemore is our guide through all the chaos.

In three minutes of dance-related quips (and some raunchy verbal imagery of some more geriatric dancers), Macklemore really just proves that he’s the best dance of them all. “Been a stressful week, I’ve had lots of pressure/You have a love of great moves, but mine are better.”

The video was co-directed by Macklemore’s music partner, Ryan Lewis, and the song appears on the duo’s 2016 record, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments.

IMAGE: Ryan Lewis

Prince's 10 Most Controversial Songs

Prince's 10 Most Controversial Songs

article
Not Even Kevin Bacon Could Handle This Real-Life Graboid

Not Even Kevin Bacon Could Handle This Real-Life Graboid

article
Solve These DARK TOWER Riddles in Honor of the 19th (Exclusive)

Solve These DARK TOWER Riddles in Honor of the 19th (Exclusive)

article