The Top 10 Hip Hop Music Videos of 2012

In case you missed them, here are the top 10 hip hop music videos of 2012. From Kendrick Lamar to A$AP Rocky, these videos are sure to get your head nodding.

“I Do” – Young Jeezy ft. Jay-Z and André 3000

“I Do” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Young Jeezy, features vocals from American rappers Jay-Z and André 3000, and appears on his fifth studio album, TM:103 Hustlerz Ambition (2011). The track peaked at number 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song’s music video was directed by F. Gary Gray and premiered on December 19, 2011, on MTV Jams. The video features cameos from Fabolous, T.I., Meek Mill, 2 Chainz and Nas.

“No Lie” – 2 Chainz ft. Drake

“No Lie” is a song by American rapper 2 Chainz, released as the first single from his debut studio album Based on a T.R.U. Story (2012). The song features Canadian rapper Drake and was produced by Mike Will Made It. The song peaked at number 69 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it 2 Chainz’s highest-charting single as a lead artist.

“Bitch Bad” – Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco’s “Bitch Bad” was one of the top 10 hip hop music videos of 2012. The video features a variety of images meant to deconstruct the negative phrase “bitch bad.” Throughout the video, Lupe raps about how the word “bitch” is often used to describe women in a derogatory way. He also challenges the double standard that allows men to use the word without consequence. The video ends with a call to action, urging viewers to stop using the word “bitch” altogether.

“Pop That” – French Montana ft. Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne

“Pop That” is a song by American recording artist French Montana, taken from his debut studio album Excuse My French (2013). The song features guest appearances from fellow rappers Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne. The song was produced by frequent collaborator Harry Fraud. It was released on May 21, 2012 as the lead single from the album. The music video for “Pop That” was directed by Eif Rivera and released on July 16, 2012.

“Clique” – Kanye West ft. Jay-Z and Big Sean

“Clique” is a song by American rappers Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Big Sean. The track was produced by Hit-Boy and West and features additional vocals from American R&B singer Teyana Taylor. The song was released on October 24, 2012, by GOOD Music as the lead single from the compilation album Cruel Summer (2012). The song’s lyrics center around boasting, luxury, and promiscuity.

The music video for “Clique” was directed by Hype Williams and released on October 29, 2012. It features a minimalistic three-dimensional holographic background in which West, Sean, Jay-Z, Taylor, and other GOOD Music artists party.

“Started from the Bottom” – Drake

In 2012, Drake released the music video for his track “Started from the Bottom.” The video, which was directed by X, features Drake working at a number of jobs (including a grocery store clerk, janitor, and car salesman) before becoming a successful rapper. The video was lauded for its creative concept and retro aesthetic, and it ultimately won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video.

“Wild for the Night” – A$AP Rocky ft. Skrillex

Asap Rocky releases the visuals for his club banger “Wild for the Night” featuring Skrillex. The video was shot in Brooklyn and features cameos from members of the A$AP Mob.

“Swimming Pools (Drank)” – Kendrick Lamar

“Swimming Pools (Drank)” is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on July 31, 2012 as the lead single (second overall) from his major-label debut album Good Kid, m.A.A.d City. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 17, making it Lamar’s highest-charting single at the time. The song peaked at number 15 on the US Rap Songs chart..

“I’m Different” – 2 Chainz

2 Chainz’s “I’m Different” was one of the biggest songs of 2012, and the music video was just as popular. The video features 2 Chainz and his friends living it up in Las Vegas, and it includes cameos from Mike Epps, Snoop Dogg, and T-Pain.

“Mercy” – Kanye West ft. Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz

“Mercy” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West, released as the lead single from his seventh studio album, Cruel Summer (2012). The song features West’s good friends and fellow American rappers Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz. The production was handled by West, Mike Dean, Metro Boomin’, Noah “40” Shebib and Sinjin Hawke. The song heavily samples the dancehall track “Dust a Sound Boy” by Super Beagle.

The song received positive reviews from music critics who praised the bombastic production, the varying quality of the verses and hook and 2 Chainz’s verse in particular. The single was a commercial success, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100; it also peaked at number one on both the US Rap Songs chart and US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The accompanying music video for “Mercy” was directed by Syrian-born American director Eli Russell Linnetz and filmed in various locations throughout Los Angeles. The video idea came from Linnetz himself when West approached him about shooting something “clean and establishing for my new label GOOD Music.”

Explicit versions of the single were releases to iTunes Stores on April 3, 2012 and the Urban contemporary radio airplay chart on April 10, 2012. A censored version was made available on BET’s 106 & Park on April 4, 2012.