To create the "electric night" atmosphere, Robinson instructed his director of photography to manually open and close the camera shutters, resulting in unique, streaking light effects.
The video juxtaposes local scenes of police harassment in New York City with international struggles. Global Parallel: The Soweto Uprising Nas - One Mic (Official HD Video)
One of the video's most striking elements is its recreation of the in South Africa. Robinson persuaded Nas to include this to highlight the universality of the fight against oppression, paralleling inner-city struggles in America with the anti-apartheid movement. Robinson persuaded Nas to include this to highlight
The "rioters" in the video were played by members of a local inner-city baseball team from L.A.. For Nas, the "One Mic" represents the idea
Nas is often shown alone in a simple, empty room, symbolizing the "essence of an MC" stripped of the typical hip-hop "drama, diamonds, and disses".
For Nas, the "One Mic" represents the idea that despite the chaos and "ignorant people" in the world, he only needs one microphone to speak his truth and reach the masses. He described the song as being about —the power to give voice to the voiceless and turn personal pain into something the world can relate to.
Due to travel restrictions following the September 11 attacks, the "South Africa" riot scenes were actually filmed in Los Angeles .