Director: Inez & Vinoodh

Inez & Vinoodh's collaboration with Rihanna in "FourFiveSeconds" captures the song's raw emotion through stripped-down visuals, showcasing the power of simplicity and authenticity.

Director: Director X

Inspired by the exceptional light art by James Turrell, Director X's work with Drake in "Hotline Bling" transforms the artist's dance moves into a cultural phenomenon, merging vibrant visuals with infectious energy and setting a new standard for modern music videos.

Director: Shinichiro Watanabe

Shinichiro Watanabe's animated collaboration with Flying Lotus in "More" blends hip-hop with anime aesthetics, resulting in a visually stunning and immersive experience that pushes the boundaries of storytelling.

Director: Hype Williams

Hype Williams's collaboration with Tupac in "California Love" merges hip-hop with Mad Max-inspired visuals, creating an iconic and futuristic representation of West Coast rap. (And yes, that’s Chris Tucker and George Clinton.)

Director: Dr. Dre & Phillip G. Atwell

Dr. Dre's collaboration with Phillip G. Atwell in "Forgot About Dre" visually captures the return of a legend, employing dynamic visuals and narrative elements that enhance the song's impact.

Director: Spike Jonze

Spike Jonze's collaboration with the Beastie Boys in "Sabotage" is a high-energy homage to '70s buddy-cop crime dramas, showcasing the director's inventive storytelling and the group's irreverent style.

Director: Tyrone Lebon

Tyrone Lebon's collaboration with Frank Ocean in "Nikes" combines surreal visuals with intimate moments drenched in neon hues, creating a visually rich tapestry that complements the song's moodiness.

Director: Antoine Fuqua

Antoine Fuqua's collaboration with Coolio in "Gangsta’s Paradise" brings the song's narrative to life through gritty visuals spliced between cuts of 1995 drama Dangerous Minds, establishing a cinematic standard for hip-hop videos.

Director: Mark Romanek

Mark Romanek's collaboration with JAY-Z in "Picasso Baby" transforms the music video into a performance art piece, blurring the lines between artist and audience in a visually arresting manner.

Director: Paris Barclay

Paris Barclay's collaboration with LL Cool J in "Mama Said Knock You Out" captures the intensity and energy of the track through dynamic visuals and innovative camera work, creating an enduring piece of hip-hop history.

YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s music video for “Genie” captures exactly the Louisiana rapper was named the #1 Most Streamed Artist on YouTube in 2022. This visual, with its raw essence and compelling storytelling, has earned its status as one of his highest-streamed videos (sitting at over 400M) and resonates with fans by tapping into relatable themes and showcasing Youngboy’s undeniable charisma.

Kanye West's "Fade" was shown a lot of love for its captivating choreography that centered a beautifully toned Teyana Taylor flaunting her bawdy and dance skills. The visual won the MTV VMA for Best Choreography and became an undeniable cultural phenomenon.

Lil Wayne's "A Milli" is a lyrical powerhouse, and its minimalist yet impactful video perfectly complements the track. The visual's simplicity allows Wayne's unmatched flow to take center stage, contributing to its substantial viewership (over 143M views). Even as recently as this year, artists have paid homage to the boundless impact of this video. (Shoutout to Flo Milli.)

Childish Gambino's "This Is America" transcends music videos, earning critical acclaim and two Grammy Awards, including Best Music Video. Its impactful imagery and thought-provoking symbolism marked it as a cultural and artistic milestone.

When isn’t Nicki Minaj leading the pack? "Anaconda" dominated charts and streaming platforms and amassed over 1 billion views on YouTube. The video, which offers bursts of pink colors and countless shots of Nicki’s derriere, resonated globally.

Migos' "Bad and Boujee" became an anthem, boasting over 1 billion streams on YouTube. It’s not much more than the accouterments of handsome and wealthy rappers lavishing in their spoils—beautiful women, insane whips, and bottles of champagne—but its catchy aesthetics and infectious energy propelled it to the top of streaming charts.

“Bodak Yellow” was a hit before it was a hit. When the Bronx raptress dropped a mere teaser on IG, music heads knew Cardi B’s premiere single was outta here. "Bodak Yellow" marked her ascent to hip-hop stardom, amassing over 1 billion views on YouTube. The video's bold and unapologetic style, filmed around the way perfectly matched Cardi's charismatic and raw presence.

Bow Wow's "That's My Name” secured a significant place on BET's iconic music countdown show, 106 & Park. The video's infectious energy and Bow Wow's youthful exuberance contributed to its consistent presence at the top of the countdown, further solidifying its status as a fan-favorite on the show. And c’mon, why else would he be dubbed Mr. 106 & Park if he wasn’t sitting at #1 consistently?

Featuring 21 Savage, Post Malone's "rockstar"—with its DGAF, bloody fight sequences—is the stuff of a music video legend. Accumulating over 1.6 billion views on YouTube, the video's dark and cinematic visuals contributed to its immense success.

Directed by Dr. Dre, Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady" is a classic that broke new ground in hip-hop visuals, leaning on dark humor, silly costumes, and controversy. It stands as an iconic piece of hip-hop history, earning the MTV VMA for Video of the Year.