What Are Your 5 Favorite Music Videos of All-Time? Posted by Nathan S. on 09/03/13 | Filed under Opinion, Videos, Debates

For the early stages of his career, I slept on Astronomical Kid. I mean anyone who was on X-Factor has to be lame right? Before I had ever heard any song by Astro, I had him pegged as a teen, radio rapper, but when I heard him spit I was amazed. The dude can really flow and has that 90’s style down pat. He has been earning points left and right with cuts like “Catchin’ Wreck” and now, thanks to this interview with HipHopDX, he gets even more cred, because the selections for his top 5 music videos show the kid has style. In case you are curious his picks included “Hypnotize”, “Can't Knock The Hustle”, “Flava In Ya Ear”, Tyler The Creator’s “She” and the Wu-Tang St. Ides commercial. Not bad for someone who isn’t even 20 years old.



But don’t worry this whole article won’t be about Astro, because who really cares that much? It did, however, get me thinking about my top five videos. While I managed to come up with five it was a lot harder than I thought; there are so many that deserve recognition. Keep in mind that this is not a “best” discussion, but a personal favorites one. Nobody can be wrong (unless you pick this one). Also, these are not in order because that would be just too damn hard. Here we go:

The Coup- “Me & Jesus The Pimp In A '79 Granada Last Night”


The Coup’s “Jesus The Pimp In A '79 Granada Last Night” is one of my favorite storytelling hip-hop cuts so it’s no wonder that the video is equally as dope. The imagery in Boots’ lyrics are so vivid, but until you can actually see Jesus, it doesn’t have the same effect. Jesus is such a great character and once you really see him it makes the song even better. The video really makes the song come alive and I always feel like I am watching a movie or TV show more than a Music video. The whole effort, from the song to the video, are so layered, through, and entertaining and definitely belongs in my top 5.

Pharcyde- “Drop”


This isn’t a best of list but, shit, I can’t help it if one of the best videos ever also happens to be a personal favorite. It doesn't have a high-production value or a ton of gadgets, but it is still one of the most inventive videos to date. For those that don’t now the story, the director Spike Jonze decided to shoot the whole thing backwards. Making the effect convincing, Pharcyde worked with linguists to learn how to recite their bars backwards. The result is one hell of a visual experience, especially the balls going up the staircase and the water in the alley. This video still blows my mind even after a million views.

Outkast- “In Due Time”


Picking your favorite Outkast video is like picking your favorite child, there is just no way it is possible. That being said, I had to give the nod to “In Due Time”. It has been one of my favorite—yet criminally underrated—Kast songs for a while, but it wasn’t until recently, when the duo re-released the visual that I really fell in love with it. While seeing a young Big Boi and 3 Stacks (rockin a Tim Brown jersey) is the definition nostalgia, that isn’t why this video warms my heart; it is the little things that do it for me. From the radio changing to a country song to Andre’s prison line song and his Chariots Of Fire impression, you can tell everything is well thought out and they put their creative, unique spin on even the smallest of details. Add in Cee-lo in a mean sweat suit and Erykah Badu and you have yourself a winner.

Jay-Z “Big Pimpin”


Believe it or not but before the days of Vevo and Youtube, there was a time when music video’s were not readily accessible: if you wanted to see one, you had to watch MTV or BET in hopes they would soon play it. One of the first hip-hop videos I remember seeing that really represented where hip-hop was in the late 90’s and early 2000’s was Jay-Z’ “Big Pimpin”. When I think about those early days (for me) of cable music channels, this video is the one that stands out. It feels less like a music video and more like a grand spectacle of ignorant brilliance; shit is an event. Bun and Pimp C dousing models in crystal, Jay chillin’ on a yacht, and of course booty shaking. This video represents the era perfectly and, as one of my first hip-hop videos, it has a special place in my heart.

Tupac- “Do For Love”


I know I said these were in no order and picking a favorite would be impossible, but Pac’s “Do For Love” visuals are hands down my favorite of all time. I have a soft spot for animated music videos, and this one includes every kind of animation you can think of. I know it might be weird to say considering it is a cartoon, but the video, like the song, shows Pac’s more human side. Although fans know he has many different sides, Pac often gets portrayed as a thug so it’s good to see both the poignant, hearfelt vibe of the song and the animation show him in a different light. Besides, seeing a clay Tupac is priceless; how many other hip-hop videos have used claymation? I’d be willing to wager that this is the only one.

So there is my list RefinedHype Nation, but since you don’t really care about mine, please share yours! As always, I am curious to hear what y’all have to say and am looking forward to seeing some of your favorites. There are a few others that I thought of for honorable mention that I thought I should credit, but I fully expect to see those in the comment section.

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