A voiceover artist sang Katy Perry's "Dark Horse" in 20 different ways- all in the style of 20 different singers- in a four-minute video on YouTube.
Anthony Vincent imitated the voices of legendary artists like Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Run-D.M.C. The video, titled "Katy Perry 'Dark Horse' (Sang in 20 Styles) Ten Second Songs," has received over 2 million views since it was posted on March 15.
Vincent, who is also a video editor, told Rolling Stone magazine he did the song cover as a way to promote his company, Ten Second Songs. The artist writes and records personalized songs for special occasions. Vincent is also the lead in a rock band.
"I've been trying to find a niche on YouTube for a very long time and I think I finally found it," Vincent told the magazine.
"I came up with the idea last November and wanted to do this with [Miley Cyrus'] 'Wrecking Ball,' but it was too late," Vincent told Rolling Stone. "I wanted to pick the most random styles you could imagine. I listened to 'Dark Horse' and after I heard it, I immediately thought, 'This is it. This is the one.' And I got to work."
Vincent recorded "20 Styles" in his production room in Port Chester, New York. Vincent said all of the artists he imitates, including Metallica and Kurt Cobain, are important to him.
"Every one of those artists has influenced me at some point," Vincent told Rolling Stone.
The Bee Gees and Beach Boys were considered for the video, but in the end Vincent did not think they were suitable. He told Rolling Stone he is happy the video exposes other people to new music.
"I love that people are having conversations that are involving Frank Sinatra, Type O Negative and Tech N9ne at the same time," Vincent said. "If I'm in any way responsible for having some 14-year-old girl Google 'Type O Negative,' that's crazy."
