Art & Collaboration: Unbound Creativity With Onibagel, Melo Griffith & LentferProd
From the lowest sitting European country to the tallest demographic country - In the vibrant streets of Rotterdam, Canadian artist Melo Griffith embarked on an impromptu creative journey while performing internationally, that would culminate in his latest double feature music video, Luck/Careless (2024). What began as a live performance in the Netherlands, quickly transformed into an unexpected collaboration between three creative forces, spanning continents and disciplines. Without completely diving into Melo’s entire album, The Caves Have WiFi 2 (2024), this slice of the cake truly showcases the collaborative efforts involved when creating great music that typically goes unnoticed.
The project brought together Melo, the eclectic mind of Onibagel, and the visionary talents of Canadian-German videographer Nik Lentfer (LentferProd.). With Onibagel on the other side of the ocean, his sharp editing and creative direction were felt in every frame. It was as if he had been there all along, guiding the spontaneous filming session. Onibagel initially questioned his ability to properly edit the video as Nik mentions, “Even though Onibagel wasn’t present during the shoot, it seemed like he knew exactly what our vision was regarding the edit, almost as if he was there with us.” The sense of trust between these creatives, despite the geographical distance, allowed for a seamless and cohesive end result.
Melo and Nik’s collaboration was equally fluid, driven by the impulse of locations they discovered in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The two explored the cities, letting their surroundings inspire the shots they captured. In one iconic moment, Melo stood in front of a large mirrored building, a reflection that Nik thought up on the spot. “The mirror effect was something cool to try out,” Nik explains. “I came up with it on the spot and thought it turned out pretty cool!”
The "mirror shot"
This improvisational approach, combined with Melo’s bopping flow, fun lyrics, and the stellar production from Travis Thickle, created a captivating visual experience. Onibagel’s editing, filled with psychotropic and trippy elements, added another layer of depth, making the video not just a collaboration of artists but a fusion of styles and perspectives uncommon in music videos.
The process was far from perfect, but in a way, that’s what made it work. Nik, Melo, and Onibagel weren’t striving for perfection; they were embracing the journey. The result is a testament to the creative process—one that thrives on collaboration, experimentation, and the blending of ideas. As Salvador Dali once said, “Have no fear of perfection—you’ll never reach it.” What matters is the path that leads to creation, the unexpected combinations that arise, and the willingness to cross both geographic and artistic borders.
This collaboration highlights the beauty of working through boundaries, allowing differing ideas to coexist and influence each other. As the worlds of Melo, Nik, and Onibagel collided, they created something new—something that wouldn’t have been possible without the shared process. Whether or not it hits mainstream success, the journey they took together is a triumph of creativity and connection, pushing each artist closer to groundbreaking work through each others innovative ideas & dedication, all while challenging & experimenting with creativity.
Check out the video on Youtube