Top 10 Rappers Who Make the Best Music Videos

For their 1993 debut video, this Atlanta duo teamed up with a young entrepreneur named Sean Combs, otherwise known as Puff Daddy. Full of personality and local culture, “Player’s Ball” gave Outkast the breakthrough they needed. In 1998, the more controversial “Rosa Parks” launched the duo into pop culture conversations while setting the tone for more ambitious productions, such as 2000’s “B.O.B” and “Ms. Jackson.” 2003’s “The Way You Move” showcases Big Boi’s creative aesthetic, but Andre 3000’s complementary video, “Hey Ya,” has become the group’s most iconic video; a production that incorporates Outkast’s musical influences and fantastical vision.



 

Much like his business career as a whole, this MC’s videography has continuously reached new heights over the years. In the 90s,  JAY-Z  released various street-wise productions, shortly before ushering in the new millennium with the classic “Big Pimpin.” Soon after that, he collaborated with future wife Beyoncé for “’03 Bonnie and Clyde.” Across his collective videography,  JAY-Z insightfully examines the environments that inform his music. By the 2010s, his music videos became more expansive, focusing both on international themes and American pop culture beyond hip-hop. With “The Story of O.J.” he showed was no longer pulling any punches







When the YouTube era began, this artist flew under the radar with videos like “Galang” and “”Bucky Done Gun.” But with her 2008 breakthrough single “Paper Planes”,  the scope of M.I.A.’s productions drastically increased. Her videos tackle global issues, which educate viewers while entertaining them with visual flair. Some videos are more cryptic than others, but there’s always an important message to decipher. Given M.I.A’s politically conscious lyrics and visual arts background, fans can expect to be intellectually stimulated with each new release.



Despite their comparatively small videography, this Los Angeles collective nonetheless established a music video legacy. For 1995’s “Drop,” The Pharcyde teamed up with director Spike Jonze, resulting in an iconic hip-hop video. By incorporating trippy visuals to complement their urban narrative, The Pharcyde strayed heavily from genre clichés. In contrast to “Drop,” however, their production for  “She Said” highlights the crew’s light-hearted side and personality. Always innovative and original, The Pharcyde consistently worked outside the box, and in doing so they inspired a new generation of alternative hip-hop artists to rely on visual artistry to support their lyrics.

 

 Much like The Pharcyde, this Los Angeles MC kicked of his career with humble and introspective productions. But after  releasing his acclaimed studio debut, Kendrick Lamar upped the ante with visual stunners like “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and “B**ch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.” His videos feature blunt messages, yet Kendrick doesn’t overload viewers with negative energy. “DNA” is striking in its ferocity and cinematic references, while “Humble” takes a more creative approach to accentuate the lyrics. Across the board, Kendrick Lamar’s videos manage to inspire, while always feeling accessible and rooted in reality.







This rapper’s videography nicely complements his lyrical wizardry. Beginning with his 1996 debut “Woo Hah (Got You All in Check),” Busta Rhymes has long combined performance bravado with surrealistic imagery. He’s all about positive energy and having a good time, which makes his videos especially entertaining. Rather than projecting a stereotypical hardened image, Busta’s filmography shows the world through a more bizarre lens. His videos are both creative and innovative without being pretentious. Instead of making grand statements about society, Busta examines the immediate world around him, and usually does it with a sense of humor.




 
With his videography alone, this rapper takes big chances. In the mid-2000s, Kanye West demonstrated his conceptual vision with classics like “Jesus Walks” and “Diamonds from Sierra Leone.” But as society and technology evolved, Kanye’s creative approach changed as well. 2010’s “Runaway” addresses his public image through minimalistic visuals, while videos like “Bound 2” and “Heartless” are more focused on vibrant colors and visual themes. Kanye understands how to provoke viewers, and while he may push the limits too far for some fans, his videos are always sure to spark pop culture discussions.


 

In the 80s, this group’s music videos introduced hip-hop to new demographics. Not only were the Beastie Boys musically unlike anything we’d heard before, but their videos were highly entertaining too. By the early 90s, they shifted from accessible party rock videos to more cinematic productions like “Sabotage” and “Root Down.” From the late 90s until 2011, the late MCA, aka Nathanial Hörnblowér,  actually took on directing duties for the majority of their videos. Videos such as “Intergalactic” and “Make Some Noise” live on as an enduring testament to his directorial skills - as well as his ability to capture the group’s infectious lust for life.









With her 1997 debut video, “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly),” this MC made a statement by enlisting one of the best directors around, Hype Williams. Furthermore, Missy Elliott delivered a specific creative vision, one that differentiated herself from peers. In the 2000s, she teamed up with director Dave Meyers for several iconic videos, most notably 2001’s “One Minute Man,” 2003’s “Gossip Folks” and 2004’s “Lose Control.” Missy’s videography combines bizarre visuals with jaw-dropping choreography. Each time around, she creates her own distinct music video world, full of energy and dynamic, unforgettable visuals.



Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.



 Tyler, The Creator    


 Migos  



Danny Brown







This rapper will forever be synonymous with early 21st century pop culture. When Eminem first emerged, videos like “The Real Slim Shady,” “Without Me” and “Stan” offered scathing commentaries on pop culture, making him both relevant and controversial. The music itself made headlines, while the videos dramatically strengthen the lyrical messages. Eminem’s videos are often aggressive in one form or another, but it’s the human element that drives the narratives. For every parody or comedic video, which he certainly does well, there are darker, revealing productions like “The Way I Am” or “Not Afraid,” which chronicle Eminem’s evolution as a person and musician.