The Best Hip Hop Music Videos of 2015
Here are the best hip hop music videos of 2015. These are the videos that had us glued to our screens and bumping our heads all year.
Best Hip Hop Videos of 2015
Kendrick Lamar – “Alright”
“Alright” is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, taken from his third studio album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). The track was produced by American record producer Pharrell Williams, with additional production by Top Dawg Entertainment’s in-house producer Sounwave. The song’s hook is performed by singer-songwriter Bilal and jazz musician Thundercat. “Alright” was released to radio stations as the fifth and final single from the album on June 30, 2015. The song peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The song’s music video won Best Hip-Hop Video at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards. Rolling Stone ranked “Alright” at number 14 on their 50 Best Songs of 2015 list, while Pitchfork Media placed it at number 3 on their 50 Best Songs of 2015 list. In May 2016, the song was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over one million digital copies in the United States.
Drake – “Hotline Bling”
Drake’s “Hotline Bling” was inescapable in 2015, and the video only added to its appeal. The minimalist clip, which features Drake dancing in a brightly lit room, was endlessly GIF-ed and parodied, but it also managed to be strangely poignant. Director X’s simple concept allowed Drake’s personality to shine through, and the result was one of the year’s most memorable videos.
Big Sean – “Blessings”
“Blessings” is a song by American rapper Big Sean, released as the lead single from his third studio album, Dark Sky Paradise. The track features Drake and was produced by Vinylz and Boi-1da.
The music video for “Blessings” was released on March 9, 2015 and was directed by Lawrence Lamont. The video features cameos from Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Ty Dolla Sign and DJ Khaled.
Chance the Rapper – “Angels”
Chance the Rapper’s “Angels” is easily one of the best hip hop music videos of 2015. The video, directed by Austin Vesely, tells the story of Chance’s struggle to stay true to himself and his music despite the pressures and temptations of fame and success. The video features cameos from fellow Chicago artists such as Lil Wayne, Jeremih, and Hannibal Buress, and is a beautiful and moving tribute to Chance’s hometown.
J. Cole – “Wet Dreamz”
This video tells the story of a young man’s first sexual experience, and how it shaped his view of women and sex for the rest of his life. It’s a powerful, honest look at the effects of early sexual experiences, and how they can influence our lives in unexpected ways.
Best Hip Hop Videos of 2016 (so far)
Hip hop music has its own culture, and one of the most important aspects of that culture is the music video. The music video is a way for artists to express their creativity and give fans a visual representation of their music. This year, there have been some great hip hop music videos released. Here are the best ones so far.
Kendrick Lamar – “To Pimp a Butterfly”
No hip-hop video made last year caused quite as much of a stir as Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly.” The Compton rapper’s third album was one of the most acclaimed releases of 2015, and the video for its lead single “Alright” became an unlikely anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Lamar returned to the same Apartment complex in Watts, Los Angeles, where he shot “Alright” to film the video for “To Pimp a Butterfly.” The result is a stunning visual feast that features Lamar and his crew rapping and dancing against a constantly shifting kaleidoscope of colors and patterns. It’s a fittingly ambitious visuals for one of the best hip-hop albums in recent memory.
Chance the Rapper – “No Problem”
If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that Chance the Rapper is having a moment. The young rapper from Chicago has been on fire ever since he released his breakout mixtape, Acid Rap, back in 2013. He’s since collaborated with everyone from Justin Bieber to Skrillex, and he even made an appearance on Saturday Night Live. But it’s his latest music video that has us really talking.
Chance teamed up with director Austin Vesely for the visuals of “No Problem,” the second single off his highly anticipated new album Coloring Book. The video features cameos from 2 Chainz, Lil Wayne, and Young Thug, and it was shot entirely on an iPhone. That’s right — no fancy cameras or expensive equipment needed.
With its simple but effective concept, “No Problem” is one of the best hip hop videos of 2016 so far. And we have a feeling Chance is only going to keep getting better from here.
Anderson .Paak – “Am I Wrong”
Anderson .Paak’s “Am I Wrong” was one of the best hip hop videos of 2015. The video features Paak and his band, The Free Nationals, performing in a variety of locations, including a street corner, a bookstore, and an outdoor stage. The video is creative and visually stimulating, and it perfectly captures the energy and charisma of Anderson .Paak and his music.
A$AP Rocky – “L$D”
Directed by A$AP Rocky himself, the hazy, ethereal visuals for “L$D” see the Harlem rapper cruising through the desert atop a vintage convertible. The video is an expert study in trippy visuals and features some of Rocky’s clearest, most concise bars to date.
Travis Scott – “Antidote”
Directed by Drake and Houston-based filmmaker Rik Cordero, the “Antidote” video starts off with a police chase that quickly transitions into a trippy, kaleidoscopic series of visuals, with Scott driving a McLaren and roaming around what looks like a post-apocalyptic world. The minimalist clip is visually stunning and perfectly embodies the song’s vibe.
