The 25 Most Stylish Hip-Hop Videos
By Jake Davis | Aug 2, 2011 | 10:26 am | Permalink
Written by Jake Davis (@JakeDavisFilms)
Music videos have always been a great source of style inspiration. The hip-hop genre in particular is one of the most forward and influential of all visual mediums. I put together some of the videos that have had a great influence on me way before I started directing them.
By no means is this list definitive but hopefully you'll discover some gems you didn't know about or revisit a classic you haven't seen in a while. You might even pick up some style tips along the way. Thank you to Complex for the opportunity to share some of the work that has helped shape my own.
Jake Davis is a New York-based filmmaker known for his award-winning music videos for artists like Drake, Trey Songz, and Wiz Khalifa.
Leo August 2nd, 2011 at 10:47 AM
How could you even say Drake and Style in the same sentence? He has said it himself, he is not into fashion! He makes good music, but nigga need a stylist.
Leo August 2nd, 2011 at 10:55 AM
TWO WORDS for Kanye West Flashing Lights video; SUMMER WALKER.
D August 21st, 2011 at 09:53 PM
That was Rita G. dude...
DopeWill August 3rd, 2011 at 02:01 PM
im sorry but drake's videos have NO style at all smh
Who are these journalists?! August 4th, 2011 at 04:42 PM
I agree with some on this list, but Us Placers? Drake's videos? And you're posting this stuff because you know the craftsmen involved? LMAO. What happened to objectivity or is that out of the window these days? most of this list is of stuff that came out in the 2000s, which tells me you're a newbie. Of course you've posted RunDMC, Chuck D and Blondie as the token "old school" video, so we don't question your new-jackery, but really... you iz a new jack. then I see Aphex Twin. Aphex Twin?! why don't you post some Madonna and Oasis videos while you're at it lol. Seriously... at this stage I'm questioning your hip hop. you then put Beastie Boys on top because they brought 'energy back into the artform.' Of course the artform didn't have energy until White Saviors Beastie came in, right? Because we all know there was no energy in hip hop in 1994! LMAO! I can tell you're a White person who started listening to this hip hop shit recently and now feels like you have a worthwhile opinion on a 40-year old and more culture. The mere fact that you don't have Pharcyde's "Drop" on here shows you are a newb. No "Woo Ha?" "Bonita Applebum?" "TRIUMPH?" "Big Pimpin"? "Straight Outta Compton?" "All Caps?" "Victory?" "Good Morning (Kanye)" And stylish based on what? The shooting style/concept or what people are wearing? It seemed like even you weren't sure. lmao your commentary was all over the place. where do they find you writers anyway?
who are these journ August 4th, 2011 at 05:03 PM
LOL.. I have to eat my words and apologize bro. I missed your write up in the beginning. You're posting YOUR list. Obviously I have no problem with that. I just assumed this was some regular Rolling Stone-esque write up. My f*cking bad! I should have read instead of going off. I have a knee jerk reaction to all these blog critics. So many of them just don't know jack shit about hip hop yet comment on it. It's pretty irritating. Anyway, cool list.
one more thing August 4th, 2011 at 04:54 PM
why not do your homework? I see this list and I know the person posting it actually KNOWS hip hop: http://www.hiphoppow.com/100-hiphop-videos-u-should-check-before-u-die-best-all-time
lohead October 6th, 2011 at 06:30 PM
definitely missing Wu-tang's "so simple" video
HTown Soulja February 19th, 2012 at 12:53 AM
How you not gonna have Pharrell & Kanye "Number One" video!!!!