Back and better than ever! Genre-defining band Chic returned this week with an overdue new single.
Led by frontman Nile Rodgers, the acclaimed group debuted its “I’ll Be There” music video on Friday, March 20, recruiting supermodel Karlie Kloss for the visuals. Chic’s first studio single since 1992, “I’ll Be There” looks back at the band’s famed history and just how far they’ve come.
“‘I’ll Be There’ is a moving concept for me about decisions we make in life,” Rodgers, 62, wrote of the clip on Facebook on Friday. “We’ve tried to capture all the nuances in the full length video and still keep it fun.”
“Karlie Kloss connects the past and present,” he continued. “She sees the original group (who plays this track) on Soul Train. She, visualizes the past looking at old school vinyl – then gets dressed and goes out to a current party to meet up with Stephen Galloway and the current Chic lineup happens to be playing live… Here it is. I hope you like it.”
The long-awaited video opens with a vintage Soul Train clip, showing the band in its first 1970s iteration. Now known for his hit-making production work with artists like Madonna, Daft Punk, and Duran Duran, Rodgers helped Chic expand disco with acclaimed albums like 1977’s Chic and 1978’s C’est Chic, and chart-topping singles including 1978’s “I Want Your Love” and 1979’s “Good Times.”
Kloss, 22, takes it back to that era when she slips into vintage duds, rocking an off-the-shoulder sweatshirt and a scrunchie as she lounges amongst records in a pair of high-waisted undies and white tube socks.
As the band’s music builds, so does Kloss’ dance routine, shaking it and writhing on a printed rug as she jams to the beat. Taylor Swift‘s bestie then goes through several outfit changes before she finds herself at a club in a white jumpsuit with appropriately chic cutouts. She breaks it down with the prolific musicians, getting into their latest effort.
“I’ll Be There” is the first cut off of Chic’s aptly titled 2015 album, It’s About Time. Due out in June, the record will be the “Le Freak” band’s first since 1992’s Chic-Ism. Take a look at Kloss in Chic’s return in the video above!
