I Knew You Were Trouble
Taylor Swift · Music Video · Scored Opening Sequence
Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble" opens on a two-minute sequence scored by KOVAS before the drop — a poetic intro that sets the tone for the song.
In 2012, I was asked to create an original music bed for the opening of Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble," directed by Anthony Mandler. She was set to deliver a spoken-word intro — freestyled in the back of a van on set — and they needed music that captured her emotional headspace.
If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right — real records, real artistry. Nothing cheesy.
She loved it. Anthony loved it. Jeff Selis — the editor, a legend who also cut Beyoncé's "Formation" — loved it. The video went on to win a VMA the following year.
That was the first time I ever scored to picture.
KOVAS
Before that, I had over 270 syncs as an artist and producer. But this was different. This was story through sound. And it lit the spark.
Since then:
- Four seasons of On My Block (Netflix)
- Starred in and scored a Clio-winning Dunkin' spot with Odell Beckham Jr.
- Disney's Emmy-winning The Crossover
- Kevin Hart's animated series Lil Kev
That VMA was held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, around the corner from my house — the Moonman reimagined by KAWS, one of my favorite artists. Brooklyn. Taylor. KAWS. Score. It checked every creative box.
So yeah — it started with Taylor.
Cue
Furnished on request
◆"I Knew You Were Trouble" — MTV VMA-winning video (2013), opening music by KOVAS
The video broke YouTube records on release and has been reused in hundreds of fan videos since.