Mar. 28, 2003) LOS ANGELES -- “They have a very special collaboration,” says director Bille Woodruff. “It’s a kind of creative father/son relationship- Robert really looks up to Ron.”

Woodruff is talking about Ronald Isley and R. Kelly, who appear with Ernie Isley in the Woodruff-directed video for “What Would You Do?,” the first radio track off Body Kiss, the new album from The Isley Brothers. The song was produced, written and arranged by R. Kelly, who contributes additional vocals as well.

This is the director’s third collaboration with the Isleys and Kelly. He also shot the video for “Contagious,” the first radio track off the Isley Brothers’ platinum Eternal album. That clip was honored with the 2001 Billboard Music Video Award for Best R&B clip of The Year. Woodruff followed it up by directing the video for “Secret Lover,” the second radio track off Eternal.

“Conceiving ideas for video is very easy with The Isleys and R. Kelly.” Woodruff continues, “because they think cinematically when they create the music. My role is simply to translate that onto the screen.” Woodruff’s list of credits includes such acclaimed videos as Nelly’s “Hot In Herre,” Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” and Toni Braxton’s “Un-Break My Heart,” as well as work with Ashanti, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, TLC and Outkast. His feature film debut, “Honey,” is due later this year. On a more personal note, Woodruff allows: “The Isley Brothers are legendary. Any time I get to work with someone who has the amazing musical history they have, it’s an enormous honor. And ‘What Would You Do?’ is a terrific song, so this was just an automatic for me.”

“What Would You Do?” bears the distinction of being the fifth video to depict the rivalry between Mr. Biggs- Ronal Isley’s alter ego – and his arch nemesis, portrayed by R. Kelly. Woodruff describes Biggs as “an original gangsta,” adding, “His look reflects that – he wears incredible suits, fur coats, expensive watches and top hats, and he carries a walking stick.” The first installment in the series, R. Kelly’s “Down Low (Nobody Has To Know)” video (1996), and the second, Kelly Price’s “Friend of Mine’ clip (1998), were directed by Hype Williams. But Woodruff was the mastermind behind the third and fourth episodes, for “Contagious” and Secret Lover” (both 2001). It’s not surprising, then, that his third foray into the Mr. Biggs saga went smoothly.

“We did shoot in the bitter cold of Chicago (at the Congress Theatre), but the performers warmed things up real quickly,” Woodruff relates. “We had a band up there, and then Ernie Isley started playing guitar, and then Ron started singing. They were just doing all kinds of songs, old Isleys stuff and other people’s songs, too. We thought the extras would be tired because they’d been standing for a long time. So we told them, “You can take a break and go get something to eat.’ But nobody moved – they were just dead groovin’.”

Groovin’ is exactly what Woodruff let his stars do throughout the shoot. He explains: “The narrative to this video is pretty subtle – R. Kelly’s character interrupts Mr. Biggs’ show by barging onstage – so it’s basically a concert video. You find a venue, you bring in the people, you set up the lighting and you just let the performers do their thing.”

Reflecting on the steamy nature of “What Would You Do?” and so much of The Isley Brother’s material, Woodruff jokes, “I might have been made to an Isley Brothers song, you know what I mean? I might have been conceived while that music was playing. Those guys have been the soundtrack to so many people’s romantic evenings.”

Bille Woodruff directed The Isley Brothers’ “What Would You Do” video for Raw Progressive; it was produced by Karen McCarthy.


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yep exactly what I heard about the whole Video&Creative Process going.can't wait for "Showdown" it should be tight.

I have never seen the Secret Lover video, but why would the saga continue in a duet with Avant, produced and written by R. Kelly rival Steve Huff?

oooh... i cannot wait for a new isley brothers cd... "eternal" was the bomb-diggity, even if it was low on funky jams... so, i'm hoping for some more upbeat numbers this time around... but the new cd is even half as good as the last one, i'm happy...

UGH,,,Am I the only one in here who thinks that Steve Huff & Avant are trying desparately 2 take R.Kelly's place?? The funny thang is they do EXACLTY what he does,,there are no adds on the way just str8 up copycating. I think the best thing that EVA HAPPEND 2 these fellas is "Keke Wyatt" that woman took both of them 2 the top with her killer voice when they remade Rene & Angela's "My 1st Love". Its really shame that they got ALL the shine and she didn't Poor Keke,,I wonder how is she!

Harlepolis said:

Steve Huff and Avant are blatant RK biters yeah. I think Keke Wyatt stabbed somebody unless I'm mistaken...

Essence said:

She stapped her husband after an ugly urgument,,she may face 10 to 20 years in prison.