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Brandon Rap Artist Shoots Video Downtown

Anthony Allred / News Channel 8

Acafool shoots a music video in downtown Tampa next to Florida Ave.

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By CHRIS ECHEGARAY

Published: October 16, 2007

Updated: 10/17/2007 08:50 am

Photos from Acafool's video shoot

TAMPA - It was nighttime but the entourage and camera crew still had their shades, or "hata blockas," on during the filming of rapper Acafool's new video filmed in downtown Tampa.

The video shoot for Acafool's latest release, "She's Bad," ended tonight in front of a Tampa mural at Royal Street and Florida Avenue.

Brandon's Acafool, whose real name is Kervens Joseph, is known for the catchy hit single "Hata Blockas," which refers to large sunglasses, designed to block out the "haters," or envious people.

The video shoot, directed by George Tsalickis of Tarpon Springs, took place in Clearwater, Ybor City and downtown Tampa.

Acafool said he chose Tampa and the mural because it's where he got his break as a rapper.

"I think it was mandatory for me to do this here," he said. "This is where it started for me. I grew up in Miami in the 305 [area code] but I'm representing the 813."

According to the bio on his Web site, Acafoolinc.com, the rapper was studying for a degree in psychology at the University of South Florida and took courses in studio recording and music production.

Meanwhile, during the video shoot, the crew was handing out shirts and the hata blocka shades.

"It's exciting," Rhiannon Capling, Acafool's manager, said. "He's put it all together here. This is the birthplace of the Hata Blockas."

Unlike many other rap videos, they were light on the scantily clad women in the video.

People dining at Fly Bar & Restaurant and staff were curious and walked over to the video shoot. Soon, there was a throng of people gathered around the artist.

Make-up artist Toni Jo Peruzzi, who worked with the late rapper Tupac Shakur was touching up the artists.

Is Tupac stiil alive as rumored?

"I wish he was," Peruzzi said.

Reporter Chris Echegaray can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or cechegaray@tampatrib.com.

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