There are certain productions you carry with you long after the last session file has been closed and the studio has gone quiet. For me, working on the official music video “Mandela Under The Sun” (The Danish Edition) by Natural Born Hippies is one of those lasting memories.

At the time, Medley Studios had its own unique rhythm. Days and nights blended together in a flow of soundchecks, lighting setups, quick creative decisions and endless cups of coffee. But this project felt different from the start. The song — produced by Henrik West — carried a message that reached far beyond the walls of the studio. Inspired by the legacy of Nelson Mandela, it was chosen as the official charity track supporting Mandela Bangles and fundraising for the building of school libraries in South Africa.

Suddenly the production was not just about making a great video. It was about contributing, in our own small way, to something meaningful.

The sessions became a gathering point for a remarkable Danish cast. Artists and personalities arrived throughout the day, each bringing their own energy into the space. Søren Sko warming up quietly before a take. Stig Rossen filling the room with presence and humour. Jimmy Bacoll keeping spirits high between setups. Andrea Lykke Oehlenschlæger and Lonnie Kjer adding warmth and spontaneity. Sascha Dupont, Tim Schou, Steffen Westmark, Maria Montell, Jesper Lohmann, Julie Maria, Bjørn Poulsen, Rasmus Nøhr, Joakim Hediger, Francis Kweku Osei and Kristian von Hornsleth all became part of the collective moment that the project turned into.

And then there was the powerful contribution from Soweto Gospel Choir — a reminder of the cultural bridge the song was trying to build.

What I remember most clearly today is not just the technical work, the tight schedules or the creative pressure. It is the feeling of collaboration. The sense that everyone present understood the importance of the message and wanted to give their best. Productions like this reminded me why studios like Medley were more than workplaces. They were meeting points for ideas, personalities and shared purpose.

Looking back now, the project stands as a snapshot of a time when music videos still carried a strong social voice — and when a studio full of passionate people could create something that resonated far beyond Denmark.

Some productions fade into the archive.
Others remain as living memories.
For me, “Mandela Under The Sun” will always belong to the latter.