On October 28, 2013, local police opened fire on South African hip-hop artist Khuli Chana in the Midrand area of the country, mistaking the artist for a kidnapper. Charges against the cops, who claimed they opened fire because Chana refused to stop at a petrol station, were eventually dropped, but Chana did receive and out-of-court settlement and an apology, which he accepted.

The ordeal left the artist physically and emotionally scared. He recently opened up about the experience in a poetic music video, “9 Shorts.”

According to the video’s director, Kyle Lewis,

“I feel like I’ve found my style. I’m using almost photographic compositions, with small, subtle movements, and very symbolic, very African imagery, that people can think a bit deeper about. It’s a look I want to continue to explore in my hip hop videos.”

“Khuli wanted the video to be a reflection on his journey from anger to forgiveness and his fluctuation between hopelessness and hopefulness. The video is apparently not meant to be an attack on the SAPS but rather a story about “Khuli’s journey to healing in the medium that ultimately saved his life: music.”

Watch the video and check out some stills, below.