Tamra Davis and Patrick Monahan

Fresh out of art school in the early 80's, Tamra Davis turned her video camera toward her friends and ended up one of the most influential music video directors of all-time. Her early work with Tone Loc, Young MC, MC Lyte and Eazy-E set the standard for low budget rap videos. She also did groundbreaking work for bands Sonic Youth, The Lemonheads and Hanson ("MMMBop" and "Where's The Love.") She was also the first person to put a camera in Spike Jonze's hand (in Sonic Youth's "100%.") In addition to her music video work, Tamra Davis is the director you call when a comedian is about to break out. She directed Chris Rock in CB4, Adam Sandler in Billy Madison and Dave Chapelle in Half Baked. She also directed Britney Spears' movie Crossroads. Tamra now works as a TV director and directed the documentary Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child. She invited Videohead to her home in Malibu where we discussed her career and her time working with Cher, Lou Reed, the New Kids on the Block and Bette Midler. Thank you for listening.