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.
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