20 music videos that forever changed the hip-hop landscape

Busta Rhymes has always thought outside the box. It was no different in 1999 when he teamed up with Janet Jackson for their hit song, “What's It Gonna Be.” The music video was directed by Hype Williams and featured Busta and Jackson being morphed from liquid. The video was a major standout due to its special effects and futuristic appeal, which helped it earn several MTV Video Music Award nominations. 

Hype Williams was one of the most in-demand music video directors in the 90s and 2000s. It’s no wonder that Tupac and Dr. Dre called on him to create some magic for their video for “California Love.” The video’s premise was inspired by the 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and takes place in a desert in 2095. The video features cameos from actors Chris Tucker and Tony Cox. 

In 2003, OutKast released their hit single “Hey Ya” and teamed up with director Bryan Barber on the music video. Barber had the idea of using the appearance of The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show as inspiration. In the video, Outkast member Andre 3000 plays the role of each member of the fictional band the Love Below, and members in the audience showcase their fan pandemonium. The video won several MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Art Direction and Video of the Year. 

Missy Elliott has always been way ahead of her time, and it’s evident in how she brought her videos to life. In 1999, she teamed up with Hype Williams to direct her video for “She’s a B—h.” For a video created well over 25 years ago, it’s a visual that still seems so futuristic. Between the makeup, costumes, and special effects, nobody is making videos like Elliott. 

Kanye West took a huge risk in 2004 when he released three music videos for his single “Jesus Walks.” While the first video finds West playing the role of a preacher in a church with angels trying to guide people on a more righteous path, the second video shows numerous scenes like prison inmates, an alleged drug dealer getting arrested, and a Ku Klux Klansman carrying a burning cross. Even with any controversy the videos might have caused, “Jesus Walks” won several accolades, including Video of the Year at the BET Awards. 

In 1990, MC Hammer released his third album, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em, which featured the hit single “U Can’t Touch This.” The video was directed by film and TV director Rupert Wainwright, and the visuals were memorable because it introduced audiences to Hammer’s signature look, the Hammer pants, as well as his iconic dance moves.

Due to his tragic passing, the world was truly robbed of seeing how far The Notorious B.I.G. could be in the hip-hop world. Just a few weeks after he passed, his sophomore album Life After Death was released. The album's second single, "Mo Money, Mo Problems," featured Diddy and Mase and was produced by Stevie J. Hype. Williams directed the music video, and while it was centered around Diddy and Mase, the team made sure to add some archival footage of B.I.G. during his verse. 

The worlds of rock and hip-hop collided when Aerosmith and Run-DMC teamed up on their hit song “Walk This Way.” In the music video, each group is recording in the same building but different studios, before Aerosmith leader Steven Tyler breaks the walls down, and then the two are seen on stage performing alongside each other. Jon Small directed the music video. 

In 2015, Kendrick Lamar released his third album To Pimp a Butterfly, which featured his hit song “Alright.” The video was filmed in black and white, and it showcases Lamar going through his neighborhood while displaying police and destruction scenes. 

Since Lil’ Kim has always been known as a hip-hop fashionista, it’s no wonder she made her own style as part of the video for “Crush On You (Remix).” Directed by Lance “Un” Rivera, the video is one of Kim’s most memorable visuals as her wigs and outfits match the colors of the different room scenes. 

In 1989, hip-hop group Public Enemy released their hit song “Fight the Power.” Adding to the lyrical elements of bringing a revolution to the world, the music video showcased the group holding a live performance and political rally in the streets of Brooklyn. Since the song was also featured in the film Do The Right Thing, it was only right for Spike Lee to direct the music video. 

Anyone skeptical about visiting Brazil should just take a look at Snoop Dogg’s video for his 2003 single “Beautiful.” Directed by Chris Robinson, Snoop and Pharrell Williams are seen taking in the sights of Rio de Janeiro, from the women to the beaches to the historical monuments. Between the art direction and vibrant colors, it’s one of hip-hop's most beautifully shot videos. 

In 1995, Coolio released one of his most commercially successful singles with “Gangsta’s Paradise,” which was used as the theme to the film Dangerous Minds. Since actress Michelle Pfeiffer starred in the movie, music video director Antoine Fuqua thought it would be essential to also have her star alongside Coolio in the “Gangsta’s Paradise” video. While Pfeiffer reprised her role from the film, the video also featured scenes from the movie. “Gangsta’s Paradise” won Best Hip-Hop Video at the MTV Video Music Awards.

In 2015, Big Sean teamed up with singers Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign on his hit song “Play No Games.” The music video was directed by Mike Carson and pulled inspiration from the classic TV sitcom Martin. Not only did Sean and his friends act out classic scenes from the TV show, but it showcased how much the rapper shows love to his hometown, especially since the Martin show took place in Detroit. 

Childish Gambino teamed up with frequent collaborator Hiro Murai to direct his music video for “This Is America.” The visual's premise is chaos while people are still trying to live their lives. The video showcases different things, such as gun violence, systemic racism, and the Black Lives Matter movement. The song won a Grammy Award for Best Music Video. 

In 1997, Busta Rhymes released his sophomore album, When Disaster Strikes, which featured his hit single “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.” The music video, directed by Hype Williams, was inspired by the 1988 film Coming to America. 

In 1997, Missy Elliott released her solo debut single “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).” One of the main things that stood out in the video is Elliott wearing a patent leather blow-up suit that looked like a trash bag. Her fashion statement became so popular that people started implementing it as a creative Halloween costume. 

In 1995, The Notorious B.I.G. released his hit song “One More Chance,” and some of the hottest names in music showed up on the video set. The music video depicts scenes from a huge house party, and some notable celebrities present were Queen Latifah, Aaliyah, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Jermaine Dupri, Heavy D, Tyson Beckford, and more. 

In 1989, hip-hop group N.W.A. released their debut studio album, Straight Outta Compton. On the eponymous single, they use the video to not only introduce themselves but to show different parts of their hometown, Compton, California. Not only is the group seen walking around the city, but they also show the effects of being chased and arrested by the police. 

In 1997, Lil’ Kim released the ultimate ladies' anthem when she teamed up with fellow MCs Da Brat, Angie Martinez, Left Eye, and Missy Elliott on “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix).” The music video depicts the ladies having a good time in Florida, and they decide to invite a few other women to the party, including Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, SWV, Changing Faces, and more.