The Best Hip Hop Music Videos of 2016
Looking for the best hip hop music videos of 2016? Look no further! We’ve rounded up the top videos from your favorite artists, including Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and more.
Best Hip Hop Videos of 2016
There were a lot of great hip hop music videos that came out in 2016. It was hard to narrow it down to just a few, but here are our picks for the best hip hop videos of 2016.
“Formation” by Beyoncé
On February 6, 2016, Beyoncé released “Formation” on YouTube and Tidal simultaneously without any prior announcement or promotion. The song, which is about police brutality and black pride, was released on the one-year anniversary of the death of Trayvon Martin. The music video was shot in New Orleans and directed by Melina Matsoukas. It features cameos from Big Freedia, bounce music pioneer DJ Jubilee, and actors Jerrod Carmichael and Lisa Bonet.
The video was widely praised for its political message and its positive portrayal of black culture. Many critics praised Beyoncé for using her platform to speak out against racism and police brutality. The video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Music Video of the Year and was nominated for four other awards, including BestPop Video and Best Editing.
“All the Way Up” by Fat Joe and Remy Ma
“All the Way Up” is a song by American rappers Fat Joe and Remy Ma, featuring vocals from French Montana and Infared. The song was released on May 24, 2016, by RNG / EMPIRE, as the first single from Fat Joe’s upcoming eleventh studio album Family Ties.
The music video for “All the Way Up” was released on May 26, 2016, and was directed by Eif Rivera. It features cameos from Diddy, Fabolous,DJ Khaled, and many others.
“No Problem” by Chance the Rapper featuring Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz
“No Problem” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Chance the Rapper featuring American rappers Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz. It was released on May 13, 2016, by Chance the Rapper’s label imprint independent record label, Self-Signed. The song serves as the lead single from his third mixtape Coloring Book (2016). The song was produced by Brasstracks, and co-produced by Kaytranada. The song peaked at number 59 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The music video for “No Problem” was released on May 12, 2016. The video features cameos from several high-profile celebrities, including Busta Rhymes, DJ Khaled, and Young Thug.
“Might As Well” by A$AP Ferg
A$AP Ferg’s “Might As Well” was one of the best hip hop music videos of 2016. The video was directed by Shomi Patwary and released on October 31, 2016. The video features A$AP Ferg and A$AP Rocky rapping in front of a green screen while various trippy visuals are superimposed over them.
“Panda” by Desiigner
“Panda” is a song by American hip hop recording artist Desiigner. The song was produced by Menace and co-produced by Kanye West. It was released on December 15, 2015, through GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings, as the lead single from his debut studio album, The Life of Pablo (2016). The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and diamonds US Rhythmic chart.
Best Rap Videos of 2016
The best hip hop music videos of 2016 include hits from Chance the Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, and Lil Wayne. These artists brought their A-game to the music video scene, and the results are amazing. From complex concepts to simple but powerful storytelling, these videos are must-sees.
“One Call Away” by Charlie Puth
“One Call Away” is a song recorded by American singer Charlie Puth for his debut studio album, Nine Track Mind. The song was released to rhythmic and pop radio on August 18, 2016, as the album’s third single. The song has peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The music video for “One Call Away” was released on August 18, 2016. It features Puth driving around Los Angeles picking up people who are struggling. Puth then gives them words of encouragement and drives them to their destination.
“Hotline Bling” by Drake
“Hotline Bling” is a song recorded by Canadian rapper Drake, which serves as the lead single from his fourth studio album, Views. The song reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Drake’s highest-charting single in the United States until it was surpassed by “One Dance” in 2016. The song also peaked at number one on both the US Rap Songs chart and the US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming Drake’s first number-one single on both charts. A viral music video for the track was released on October 19, 2015. It features Drake dancing in a dimly lit room with colorful lights pulsing throughout, interspersed with footage of him appropriation of sign language interpretation.
“All I Need” by Logic
In 2016, Logic released his third studio album, “The Incredible True Story.” The album was a huge success, reaching number three on the Billboard 200 chart and being nominated for Best Rap Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards. “All I Need” is the fourth single from the album, and its accompanying music video is a touching portrayal of Logic’s dedication to his wife and daughter.
In the video, we see Logic at home with his family, as well as in the studio recording the song. The video is interspersed with footage of young kids playing in a park and dancing in their homes. These scenes are meant to represent the hope and innocence of childhood, which is in contrast to the harsh realities that many kids face growing up in tough neighborhoods.
The video ends with a powerful message from Logic: “I’ll never stop fighting for my family or those who can’t fight for themselves.” This statement really hits home, and it’s clear that Logic is using his platform to make a difference in the world.
“Jumpman” by Drake and Future
“Jumpman” is a song by Canadian rapper Drake and American rapper Future, released on October 28, 2015 as the lead single from What a Time to Be Alive (2015), an album by the two artists. The song samples “Jumpman” by Chicago producer Gino Caporale, who is credited as a co-writer.
“Jumpman” peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Canadian Hot 100. The song received two Grammy nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song at the 59th ceremony. The music video for “Jumpman” was directed by Keavan Yorke and released on February 12, 2016. It features Drake and Future in a warehouse filled with vehicles from the 1980s and 1990s.
“Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” by Rich Homie Quan
Rich Homie Quan’s “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” was one of the best rap videos of 2016. The video features Quan flexing his muscles and rapping in front of a mirror. The video is simple, but it works thanks to Quan’s charisma and the song’s catchy hook.
