Peter Ngqibs – «Rewrite»

Pop artist Peter Ngqibs’s new empowering EP «Unwritten Stories» , is an oral history of private, powerful moments that shaped him and his worldview.

The EP’s newest music video for «Rewrite», a song about reclamation of personal power after abuse.

«Rewrite» was written in April 2020 and tells the story of two sexually abused children who overcame their trauma and transformed from survivors to thrivers. The uplifting anthem features UK artist Elisabeth Elektra. The pair met on a queer music platform, Queerantine, and formed an immediate connection. «I felt the song was missing something, and as soon as I heard Elisabeth’s voice I knew I had to invite her, and was thrilled she accepted without hesitation», says Peter Ngqibs to me. The pair enjoyed working together so much, they extended their collaboration to create this music video.

Not being able to shoot the video together due to COVID-19, Elektra and Ngqibs opted to shoot the footage on their iPhones. The video is filled with symbolism; ranging from a church location serving as a reminder of where sexual abuse often takes place, to the three wise monkeys representing the victim-blaming culture of sexual assault survivors. The most striking images come from a deserted playground; an abandoned childhood.