Meet Filmmaker & Artist Calmatic

Source: Eric Charbonneau / Getty

Meet the filmmaker and artist behind Kendrick Lamar’s latest music video, “Squabble Up” that has received widespread acclaim since its’ release on Nov. 25. The director has worked with several artists and brands. Get hip to his work and many accomplishments inside.

Calmatic was born in 1987 as Charles Kidd II. The beloved filmmaker hails from South Central Los Angeles, which explains the innate chemistry between him and longtime collaborator Kendrick Lamar. Aside from working with Lamar’s on his latest release “Squabble Up,” the two worked together on the video for “Rich Spirit” in 2022 and “Cut You Off” back in 2010.

The gifted filmmaker is known for his influential work in music videos, commercial and even feature films like House Party (2023) and White Men Can’t Jump (2023). Calmatic’s  done a ton of cool projects with people and brands liken Apple, LeBron James, Facebook, Kendrick Lamar, Issa Rae, Google, Target, Anderson .Paak, Cash App, Kai Cent,  countless NBA All-Stars, Sprite, McDonalds, pgLang, Mountain Dew, Lil Nas X and The Rolling Stones. In 2020, he won Ad Age’s “Director of The Year” award for his work with TurboTax’s 2020 Super Bowl commercial, “All People Are Tax People.”

From reshaping pop culture visuals with music videos to remaking iconic films, Calmatic’s creativity continues to shine across diverse platforms.

Check out some of the work Calmatic has created over the years below:

1. Kendrick Lamar – "Squabble Up"

2. Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus – "Old Town Road"

3. Kendrick Lamar – "Rich Spirit"

4. Anderson .Paak – "Bubblin"

5. The Rolling Stones – "Mess It Up"

6. 'House Party (2023)'

7. 'White Men Can't Jump (2023)'

8. Turbo Tax 2020 Super Bowl Commercial – "All People Are Tax People"

9. Pharrell Williams ft. Jay-Z – "Entrepreneur"

10. 'Flamin' Hot: Flamin' University'