The Best Hip Hop Music Videos of All Time

A countdown of the best hip hop music videos of all time, including videos from Tupac, Missy Elliott, and Outkast.

“Rapper’s Delight” by Sugarhill Gang

The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” is often cited as the first hip hop music video. Released in 1980, the video features the group performing the song in a club setting. While the video is primitive by today’s standards, it is an important historical document of the early days of hip hop.

“The Breaks” by Kurtis Blow

Kurtis Blow’s “The Breaks” is widely considered to be one of the best hip hop music videos of all time. The video features Blow rapping in front of a graffiti-covered wall, with breakdancers performing in the background. The video is simple but effective, and it helped to popularize breakdancing as a mainstream dance form.

“Walk This Way” by Run-D.M.C. ft. Aerosmith

“Walk This Way” by Run-D.M.C. ft. Aerosmith is often cited as one of the best hip hop music videos of all time. The video, which was released in 1986, features the two groups performing together in a nostalgic nod to the early days of rap music. The video helped to introduce a new generation of fans to both groups and is credited with paving the way for the success of subsequent collaborations between rappers and rock stars.

“My Adidas” by Run-D.M.C.

There’s no doubt that Run-D.M.C.’s “My Adidas” is one of the most iconic hip hop music videos of all time. The black and white video features the trio rapping in front of a graffiti-covered wall, with their now-famous Adidas tracksuits and sneakers on full display. The video is simple, but it perfectly captures the raw energy and style of early hip hop.

“Fight the Power” by Public Enemy

“Fight the Power” is a song by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released as the lead single from their fifth album Fear of a Black Planet (1990). The song was written and produced by group members Chuck D and Hank Shocklee, with help from fellow Public Enemy producer Steve Fuller. It is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential songs in hip hop history.

The song’s lyrics center around themes of police brutality and racism in the United States, with Chuck D comparing Black Americans’ situation to that of slaves in Ancient Rome. The song has been ranked highly on several “Best of” lists, includingRolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, VH1’s 100 Greatest Hip Hop Songs, and Pitchfork’s 100 Best Songs of the 1980s. In 2004, it was ranked number 288 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. In 2010, Pitchfork Media included it at number 25 on their list of “The 200 Greatest Songs of the 1980s”.

“Express Yourself” by N.W.A.

“Express Yourself” is a song by American hip hop group N.W.A. The song was released in May 1988 as the fourth single from the group’s debut studio album Straight Outta Compton. Written by group members Ice Cube and MC Ren, with production handled by Dr. Dre, “Express Yourself” samples Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band’s 1970 hit of the same name.

The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart, making it the highest-charting single from Straight Outta Compton. In connection with its parent album, “Express Yourself” has been viewed as an anthem of West Coast hip hop and gangsta rap, while its heavy use of profanity and violence has led to criticism from some quarters. Nevertheless, it has also been praised for its ant Rhymesayers Entertainment is an American independent record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 1995. It is home to several prominent alternative hip hop artists such as Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Slug (of Atmosphere), Aesop Rock, Evidence (of Dilated Peoples), Blueprint (rapper), Grieves and Evidence…

“It’s Tricky” by Run-D.M.C.

“It’s Tricky” by Run-D.M.C. is widely considered to be one of the best hip hop music videos of all time. The video features the group performing in a playground, surrounded by kids playing and having fun. The video is simple, but it perfectly captures the energy and fun of hip hop music.

“Can I Kick It?” by A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest’s “Can I Kick It?” was directed by the group’s own Q-Tip and features footage of the band performing in front of a graffiti-covered wall. The video was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Rap Video, and won the award for Best Group Video.

“Check Yo Self” by Ice Cube

“Check Yo Self” is a song by American hip hop artist Ice Cube. It was released on September 29, 1992 as the lead single from his third studio album, The Predator. The song peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. The music video, directed by F. Gary Gray, features Ice Cube checking himself and others around him for ” gangsta rap “.

“In Da Club” by 50 Cent

“In Da Club” is a hip hop song performed by American rapper 50 Cent from his debut studio album Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2003). The song was written by 50 Cent, Dr. Dre and Mike Elizondo, and produced by Dr. Dre with co-production credit from Elizondo. The track was released in January 2003 as the album’s lead single and peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming 50 Cent’s first US number-one single. “In Da Club” received mixed reviews from music critics. The song’s music video won Best Rap Video and Best New Artist at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.