The Top Hip Hop Music Videos of 2016
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A look at the top hip hop music videos of 2016. These are the videos that had us hooked and replaying them over and over.
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble”
Kendrick Lamar released the video for “Humble” at the end of March, and it quickly racked up millions of views. The video is set in what appears to be a post-apocalyptic world, and features Lamar rapping in front of a burning cityscape. “Humble” was directed by Dave Meyers and the little homies, and features cameos from Mike WiLL Made-It, Ugly God, and Lamar’s Black Hippy crew.
The video’s concept and how it relates to the song’s lyrics
The video for Kendrick Lamar’s “Humble” was one of the most talked-about music videos of 2016. The video, which was directed by Dave Meyers and The Little Homies, features Lamar in a number of different settings and outfits, including a number of looks that have been likened to those seen in traditional hip hop music videos.
However, the video also includes a number of references to religious iconography and imagery, which many believe is a deliberate commentary on the state of hip hop music and culture. In particular, the scenes in which Lamar is surrounded by kneeling women in white dresses have been interpreted as a reference to the Catholic concept of “humble submission.”
Whether or not this was the director’s intention, it’s clear that the “Humble” video is a visually stunning and thought-provoking piece of work that perfectly compliments the song’s lyrics.
The video’s production and cinematography
“Humble” was directed by Dave Meyers and the little homies, who also worked with Lamar on his music video for “Alright”. The video was released on March 30, 2017. It features Kendrick Lamar in a desert landscape rapping while various scenes play out in front of him. Throughout the video, a number of religious and biblical references are made.
The video’s production and cinematography are top-notch, with beautiful shots of the desert landscapes and well-choreographed scenes. The video also features a number of up-and-coming rappers, including Big Sean, YG, ScHoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, and Travis Scott. All in all, “Humble” is a great hip hop music video that deserves its spot on this list.
The video’s reception and critical acclaim
“Humble” was very well-received by critics, with many praising Kendrick Lamar’s performance in the video. The video was nominated for five MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Hip Hop Video, and won all five. It was also nominated for three Grammy Awards, and won two for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.
