The Best Hip Hop Music Videos Made in Los Angeles
Contents
A look at the best hip hop music videos made in Los Angeles. From Compton to Hollywood, these are the best of the best.
Introduction
Los Angeles has been home to some of the best hip hop music videos ever made. From Dr. Dre’s “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang” to Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble,” the city has served as the backdrop for some of the genre’s most iconic visual moments.
And while there are too many great music videos to list them all, we’ve narrowed it down to our 20 favorites that were either filmed or set in Los Angeles. So sit back, press play, and enjoy a trip through LA’s rich hip hop history.
N.W.A.’s “Straight Outta Compton”
N.W.A.’s “Straight Outta Compton” is without a doubt one of the most iconic and influential hip hop music videos ever made. The video features the group driving around in a lowrider, jamming out in their studio, and performing in front of a cheering crowd. It’s a classic example of the “gangsta rap” subgenre that would come to define Los Angeles hip hop.
Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice”
Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice” is one of the best hip hop music videos ever made. It was filmed in Los Angeles, and it perfectly captures the laid-back, carefree attitude of the city. The video features Snoop Dogg rapping about his favorite things – gin and juice – while he hangs out with his friends. The video is set against a backdrop of beautiful Los Angeles scenery, and it features some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Dr. Dre’s “California Love”
Arguably one of the best hip hop songs of all time, “California Love” was also one of the first videos to be shot in Los Angeles after the city’s 1992 riots. The video features cameos from Snoop Dogg, Mickey Rourke, and Ice Cube, and is set against a backdrop of South Central LA.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright”
“Alright” is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, taken from his third album To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). The song, which serves as the album’s lead single, was written by Lamar and produced by Pharrell Williams and Sounwave. It was released on March 15, 2015. The song’s title and lyrics allude to the 2015 McKinney Police Department pool party incident where an officer was filmed throwing a black girl to the ground and then pointing his gun at other unarmed black teens. “Alright” received critical acclaim, with multiple critics deeming it one of the best tracks of 2015 and one of Lamar’s best songs. Soon after its release, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 97, making it Lamar’s third top 100 hit as a solo artist. “Alright” peaked at number 17 on that chart in October 2015.
The accompanying music video for “Alright” was directed by Colin Tilley and premiered on June 30, 2015. The video depicts Lamar performing the song in various locations throughout Los Angeles: atop a police cruiser abandoned in traffic on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard; in front of City Hall; on top of rooftop helipads; and inside a condemned residential motel known for drug use called Worden’s Court in Watts.[8][9] Upon its release, the video drew widespread critical acclaim from online publications. Erik Parker of Pitchfork described it as “a hair-raising visual”,[10] while Larry Fitzmaurice of Fuse wrote that it was “as ambitious as any blockbuster film”.[11] Complex magazine ranked “Alright” first on their list of 35 Best Music Videos of 2015,[12] with senior editor Parmita Uniyal writing that “[The video is] an unflinching statement about race relations in modern America”.[13]
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best hip hop music videos made in Los Angeles are those that feature the city’s unique landmarks and scenery. The videos that are set in Los Angeles typically showcase the city’s diverse population and culture. Additionally, many of the best hip hop music videos filmed in Los Angeles feature famous celebrities and musicians who have made the city their home.
