Gnarls Barkley’s second single and video “Going On” debuted this afternoon. In classic Gnarly creative tradition, they went the unorthodox route: they’re not in the video at all. Set in an African (Caribbean?) country, a bunch of kids discover a portal to another world. After some initial dancing and singing with friends, a guy and girl break away from the pack and set the doorway to a new place down in the middle of a dirt path. The guy hops through.

What nails the video are the words that pop on the screen next >>

“Don’t Follow Me.”

Of course, the girl follows him anyway.

The Roots 10th album, Rising Down, will be legally.., available on April 29. The previously released videos “75 Bars (Black Reconstruction)” and “Get Busy” are great indicators that, on the low, The Roots have crafted one of the must-have hip-hop albums of the year.

Widely respected, music video director, Rik Cordero is all over the project; he is the eye behind the videos for Rising Down. Leading into the album’s debut week, “Rising Up” featuring Chrisette Michelle and Wale is live and ready. ?uestlove taps out a Go Go beat, got guys spinning on their necks and backs, and Black Thought and Wale’s lyrics twisting through the whole circus.

The video for Usher’s “Love in this Club” made it’s way online yesterday. The preview gave the impression that it was a lazy repeat of Yeah!’s video. Luckily, that’s not the case - entirely. It feels like the extended-bonus cut version of Yeah!. You know, like what took place when they touched down in the after-hours spot. I’m sure that’s not what was intended, but the way the spotlights slice across the scenes make the comparison unavoidable.

Keri Wilson made her much talked about guest spot in the video. Not sure why. I’ve watched it with a couple of people and none of them said.. that’s Keri Hilson. She come across as just another pretty face in a video.

Kanye West takes it back to Chicago, for “Homecoming,” the fourth video off Graduation. The video has a sublime quality and comforting feel that should reassure those of you that thought Kanye slipped into a dank pool on the dark side, with the demented, slightly morbid, “Flashing Lights” teaser video. I’m just mad that video ended with a shovel to the stomach. Was he killed, shot, and buried Goodfellas style? I needed closure.

Seven years ago, Santi White was writing songs for RES on How I Do. After that one album, RES dropped off the face of the major label scene. Too bad. RES still performs here and there (most recently at Club Midway in NYC) but a new album isn’t on the horizon.

Meanwhile, Santi White has continued to write songs for other artists - like Lily Allen’s “Littlest Things.” She was also part of a punk rock group called Spank Rock. Last year, she retagged herself Santogold and entered the new year as a buzz artist.

The Santogold songs I heard last year didn’t impress at all.