In case you couldn’t tell, Complex loves music videos. Earlier this week, we dropped our comprehensive countdown of the 100 Best Music Videos of the 2000s (click here if you missed it), but something was still missing. What would music videos be without the so-called “video vixen,” the model/dancer/actresses who provide us with a little aspirational eye candy in our darkest hour?
The last decade has truly been the golden age for the music video model, from icons like Melyssa Ford to new favorites like Rosa Acosta. Even some of the world’s sexiest celebrities (ScarJo!) have made memorable video appearances, so we wanted to provide a comprehensive look back at all the ladies who have caught our eye on MTV, BET and YouTube over the last 10 years. Check out Complex’s 50 favorite music video models below…
Sure, Terry Kennedy is much better at skating than rapping. That doesn’t make the latest Fly Society video for “Get Rich” any less entertaining. In fact, it probably adds to it. Song quality aside, there’s something undeniably cool about a diamond-clad skater talking shit over beats just because he can. We’ll admit it even if no one else does.
Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.
No lengthy introduction is necessary when talking about Beyonce and Lady Gaga. Two women with a daring sense of fashion. Two women who sell more records than your favorite rapper. Two women who Kanye West rides hard for. It was only a matter of time before today’s reigning queens of pop music worked together on something. That something happens to be a remix of B’s “Video Phone” that’s much more effective as a music video than a song, but generally great nonetheless. Budding female superstars take note: these ladies have raised the bar…again.
Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.
What’s that you say? That we’ve been hitting you with a different mega-list ever week for the past nine weeks and you’ve had enough? Well, to that, we say: Tough. That’s right, we’ve showed you our Top 100 Sports Moments | Top 100 T-shirts | Top 100 Girls | Top 100 Albums | Top 100 Sneakers | Top 100 Movies | Top 100 Internet Videos | Top 100 Video Games | Top 100 TV Shows and most recently, the Top 100 Style Trends. We might be getting close, but we’re not done sifting through every conceivable facet of Complex culture and presenting them to you in completely subjective (but no less legitimate) order. And next up is that hallowed haven of all things comedic, thuggish, and surgically enhanced. No, not professional wrestling (though that’s not a bad idea)—music videos!
Sure, the record industry may not be what it once was, but that doesn’t mean that the past decade hasn’t seen hundreds, nay, thousands of videos that deserved consideration in our countdown. But we only had room for a cool hundred, and the coolest hundred we found. So set aside a couple of hours, make yourselves comfortable somewhere where people won’t judge you for your viewing habits, and vegetate your way through the greatest music videos of the 2000s…
Compared to delay-ridden past efforts, all activities surrounding the release of Til The Casket Drops seem to be rolling along smoothly. Last week, another song and artwork from the album was revealed. It’s just started, but this week is already looking like another good one for the Brothers Thornton with the brand new “Popular Demand (Popeyes)” video featuring Cam’ron here to kick things off. After what felt like a million behind-the-scenes features, it’s nice to have the final product. Watch it above.
Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.
Everyone loves a good hater anthem and Chamillionaire manages to keep the oft-used concept fresh with an infectious chorus and Tom Petty-sampling production that wouldn’t sound out of place on adult contemporary radio. We posted “Good Morning” for download months ago, but the video just hit the ‘net. It might not win a Grammy like “Ridin’ Dirty” but we definitely underestimated this record’s hit potential. If it catches on, Venom could move some respectable units when it drops in February of next year.
Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.
Gucci Mane has given us street anthems for years now, so we’re not surprised that he’s expanding his appeal by catering to the ladies with “Spotlight,” the first single off The State vs. Radric Davis. It might be a little odd to see a guy who was just the South’s best kept secret dancing around with Usher now, but stuff like this comes with the territory of success. We’ll deal with it for now, but we still need to hear the standard La Flare content on this album. We’ll find out if the LP delivers in that aspect on December 8, or when it leaks in a couple weeks. Burrrr!
Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.
The last time we spoke with 50 Cent, he was set on a November 23 release date for Before I Self Destruct. Since then, the album has leaked and that date has been bumped up a week. Supposedly, Fif isn’t worried because the LP has had a generally positive reception online. Here’s another reason he might be able to relax a little: “Baby By Me.” The song hasn’t charted yet, but it seems like this one has more legs than some of the female-friendly singles from Curtis that never really took off. You’ll find this playing all over MTV channels today, but it’s more than fine if Complex is the first place you watch it.
Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.
It’s been a good week for 50 Cent, especially at Complex. First, we dropped our controversial interview with the guy that still has the Internets buzzing. Then we featured “Crime Wave” on yesterday’s 5 O’Clock Shuffle playlist (download it here). Now it’s time to bring things full circle with the awesome new video for the same song. 50 puts his acting skills to work for the most of the clip and has no qualms about who he starts trouble with. Yeah, the vid is just as tough as the song. Watch it above.
Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.
Have you ever had your girl leave you for another girl? We’re not exactly sure if popular DJ Sharam or Kid Cudi has dealt with that dilemma, but they made one hell of a song about it. Although “She Came Along” has been on our radar since it leaked over the summer, the video is just now arriving. The Wild Wild West setting fits the sound of the song, but the concept’s visual transition seems kind of half-baked. Cudder never even makes an on-screen appearance. Basically: the song > the video. It’s definitely worth a watch though, for the hot Western chicks, if anything.
Tune in to Complex.com every morning at 8 AM for your daily “Wake N’ Watch” video.
