2016’s Best Hip Hop Music Videos

Check out our list of the best hip hop music videos of 2016. From Kendrick Lamar to Chance the Rapper, these are the videos that had us hooked all year.

Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”

2016 was an eventful year for music, and hip hop was no exception. There were a number of great music videos released in the genre, but Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” stood out from the rest.

Directed by Collin Tilley, the video tells the story of Kendrick and his struggle to keep hope alive in the face of adversity. The video was shot in various locations around Los Angeles, and features cameos from a number of well-known faces, including NBA player LeBron James.

“Alright” is an uplifting and inspirational song, and the video does a great job of conveying that message. It’s a must-watch for any fan of hip hop music.

Chance the Rapper – “Angels”

“Angels” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Chance the Rapper, featuring vocals from singer Saba. It was released on October 5, 2015, as the lead single from Chance’s third mixtape, Coloring Book (2016). The song was written by Chancellor Bennett, Tahj Malik Chandler and Darryl Sterling, with production handled by Chandler under his stage name Nico Segal. Lyrically, it features Chance thanking God for his blessings.

The song peaked at number 67 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped both the US Rap Songs and US Hip-Hop/R&B Songs charts. The accompanying music video was directed by Austin Vesely and shot in Chicago’s Washington Park.

Drake – “Hotline Bling”

Drake’s “Hotline Bling” was one of the most popular songs of 2016, and its music video was just as iconic. The visual, which sees Drake dancing in a number of different neon-lit locations, was shot entirely in Toronto and directed by VIEWS collaboratorHelper director X. It’s a perfect examples of how a great music video can elevate a song to new heights.

Kanye West – “Famous”

“Famous” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kanye West, released June 24, 2016 as the lead single from his seventh studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016). The song features vocals from American singers Rihanna and Swizz Beatz. Production was handled by West, Mike Dean, Metro Boomin and Freaky Tah. Controversy arose due to its music video, which features nude effigies of high-profile celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Donald Trump, Bill Cosby, Amber Rose and West himself. Several publications named the video as “the year’s best”, while others criticized it for its insensitivity.

A$AP Rocky – “L$D”

“L$D” is a song by American hip hop recording artist ASAP Rocky. The song, which was produced by Danger Mouse, features on Rocky’s second studio album At. Long. Last. ASAP (2015). Upon its release, the song peaked at number 65 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 26 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

The music video for “L$D” was directed by ASAP Rocky himself. It was shot in various locations throughout Mexico and features Rocky and his friends driving around in a convertible, smoking marijuana, and generally enjoying themselves. The video has been described as “trippy” and ” psychedelic”, and has been praised for its visuals and cinematography.

Travis Scott – “Antidote”

With a wild, bugged out visual from director Agency, “Antidote” is the most visually arresting video of Scott’s short career. He spends the video diving in and out of different dimensions, dodging obstacles, and narrowly escaping death in a number of different ways. It’s like an acid trip half the time, but that’s what you want from a Travis Scott music video.

Big Sean – “Blessings”

Directed by Austin Rogers and Mike Ho, “Blessings” is a high-energy music video featuring Big Sean rapping in various locations around New York City. The video was filmed in one continuous shot, with the camera following Sean as he moves through the city. Throughout the video, Sean is joined by other people, including fellow rapper Drake, who makes a cameo appearance. “Blessings” was released in 2016 and quickly became one of the year’s most popular hip hop music videos.

Vince Staples – “Senorita”

“Senorita” is the first single from Vince Staples’ debut album “Summertime ’06”. The music video, directed by Kristoffer Borgli, features Vince Staples in a Santa Monica beach setting. The video starts with Vince Staples walking on the beach towards the camera, and features various shots of him rapping in different locations around the beach. The video ends with Vince Staples walking back towards the camera and then disappearing into the distance.

Action Bronson – “Baby Blue”

Action Bronson’s video for “Baby Blue” is equal parts heartwarming and hilarious. The story follows Bronson as he tries to win back the affections of his girlfriend (played by Orange Is the New Black’s Dascha Polanco) by going above and beyond to be the best boyfriend he can be. Along the way, he enlists the help of his friends, family, and even a baby blue whale. The result is a touching ode to relationships that will have you laughing and cheering throughout.

Danny Brown – “When It Rain”

Danny Brown has always been an eccentric character, and that’s something that has only been amplified in recent years. Whether it’s his unique sense of fashion or his playful use of social media, everything Danny Brown does is larger than life. That extends to his music videos, which are some of the most innovative and stylish in the game. “When It Rain” is no exception, as Danny delivers a hazy clip that perfectly matches the druggy vibe of the song.