Music Video

Music videos have played a pivotal role in shaping hip-hop culture since the early 1980s, with groundbreaking works like Run-DMC’s “Walk This Way” (1986), directed by Jon Small, which helped bring rap to MTV’s mainstream audience. The launch of MTV in 1981 marked a turning point, but it was the innovative visual storytelling in videos such as Missy Elliott’s “Work It” (2002), co-directed by Missy Elliott and Dave Meyers, that pushed the boundaries of the medium. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (1983), directed by John Landis, set a high bar with its cinematic approach, influencing countless artists across genres to use music videos as a platform for narrative and style. With the rise of YouTube in 2005, artists like Kendrick Lamar leveraged the platform to release videos such as “Humble” (2017), directed by Dave Meyers, which amassed hundreds of millions of views and won multiple MTV Video Music Awards. Beyoncé’s visual album *Lemonade* (2016) combined music, film, and social commentary, directed by a team including Melina Matsoukas, further redefining the format’s cultural impact. Complex’s coverage highlights directors like Hype Williams and Director X, who have crafted iconic visuals for artists like Missy Elliott and Drake, while analyzing how music videos continue to influence fashion, storytelling, and hip-hop’s visual language.

Sign Up to get access to the latest drops, exclusive products and insider updates.
By entering your email, you agree to receive customized marketing messages from us and our advertising partners. You also acknowledge that this site is protected by reCAPTCHA, and that our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Featured

Latest Stories

Screenshot from Slayyyter's "Brand New Chanel$" video.
Style

Here's the McQueen Jacket Worn by Slayyyter in the “Brand New Chanel$” Video

What you need to know about the McQueen jacket in her latest video and where you can buy it.

Jose Martinez20 minutes ago
2026 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival - Weekend 2 - Day 2
Music

SZA Goes for Alien Aerobics in Unfinished "Scorsese Baby Daddy" Visual

The seven-time Grammy winner shared the Bradley J. Calder-directed visual on Instagram as one of the projects they "never finished."

Split image. Left: Chase Infiniti in a red dress at the Tribeca Festival. Right: The seven members of ATEEZ posing on a red carpet.
Music

Chase Infiniti Stars in ATEEZ's "BAD" Music Video After Years as a Fan of the Popular K-Pop Group

The 26-year-old 'One Battle After Another' actress gets a full-circle moment after years of openly stanning the K-pop boy group.

Alex Ocho39 days ago
PHILADELPHIA - Rapper and music producer Jay-Z prior to the FIFA 2026 World Cup Group E match between Ivory Coast and Ecuador at Philadelphia Stadium on June 15, 2026, in Philadelphia, United States.
Music

Jay-Z 30th Anniversary Brooklyn Pop-Up Location Is Where He Filmed "Dead Presidents" Video

The 25-time Grammy winner is paying homage to his 1996 classic with the JAŸ-Z30 pop-up activation at Smack Mellon.

Advertisement
Shaboozey Casts 'Summer House' Breakout Star Ciara Miller for 'Cowgirl' Video
Music

Shaboozey’s 'Cowgirl' Video Turns Ciara Miller into a Vengeful Western Heroine

The breakout Bravo star saddles up as revenge-seeking Cherie Lee in Shaboozey’s Western universe ahead of his concept album and Outlaws Never Die Tour.

Wiz Khalifa with a pink beanie and dreadlocks, mgk shirtless with spiky hair and tattoos, wearing camo pants.
Music

mgk and Wiz Khalifa Celebrate Tattoos in “everything tatted” Video Ahead of Collaborative Mixtape

The duo are set to drop their collaborative mixtape, ‘blog era boyz,’ on Friday.

Mark Elibert75 days ago
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) PartyNextDoor and Drake perform during day one of Wireless Festival 2025 at Finsbury Park on July 11, 2025 in London, England.
Music

Drake on Death-Defying “B’s On the Table” Video: ‘I Was Gonna Throw Up’

The 'Iceman' artist said he "wanted to throw up" after filming inside the CN Tower.

Big Machine Rock's David Gebbia is leading the music video era comeback.
Pop Culture

Big Machine Rock's David Gebbia Is Reviving the Music Video Era With Ryan Perdz's 'Heavy Eyes'

While the rest of the industry scales back on music videos, Gebbia Media is making the case that fans still want them.

Maggie Ekberg80 days ago
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 17: Fatima Robinson attends Dance Theatre of Harlem 2026 Vision Gala at New York City Center on April 17, 2026 in New York City. 

American singer Michael Jackson (1958 -2009) poses for a portrait on the set of his 1992 single music video of "Remember the Time" in Los Angeles, California, circa 1992.
Music

Fatima Robinson Calls Michael Jackson's “Remember the Time” a Career 'Turning Point'

The "Remember the Time" co-choreographer shares her birthday with the late King of Pop.

Advertisement
Machine Gun Kelly and Wiz Khalifa side by side; Kelly in black, Khalifa in plaid, both wearing necklaces.
Music

MGK and Wiz Khalifa Reunite for ‘Girl Next Door’ and Tease Blog Era Comeback

The longtime collaborators reunited for their first joint single in more than a decade.

Mark Elibert83 days ago
Vince Staples attends the 2024 Time100 Next at Chelsea Piers on October 09, 2024 in New York City.
Music

Vince Staples Goes First-Person Shooter in New "Blackberry Marmalade" Video

The disturbing video ends with a quote from MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail."

Shawn Setaro100 days ago
Machine Gun Kelly in a red shirt, smiling, and Fred Durst in a hoodie and cap, both in a split-screen image.
Music

MGK and Fred Durst Drop Nu-Metal Collaboration “Fix Ur Face”

Machine Gun Kelly taps into a heavier sound alongside the Limp Bizkit frontman.

Mark Elibert104 days ago
21 Savage dressed in a tuxedo for the "Stepbrothers" music video.
Music

21 Savage Teams Up With Young Nudy For the Lo-Fi "Stepbrothers" Video

The Gabriel Moses-directed video for the 'What Happened to the Streets?' highlight has arrived.

Joe Price109 days ago
Jungkook from BTS, wearing a dark suit, looks to the side with a neutral expression.
Music

Jungkook’s “Seven” Becomes His First Solo Music Video to Hit 600 Million Views

The BTS star reaches a new solo milestone with his breakout hit featuring Latto.

Mark Elibert114 days ago
Advertisement
Jack Harlow.
Style

Jack Harlow's Hat In "Say Hello" Music Video Gets Social Media Talking

"I have never seen a hat like this in all my natural life."

Stay ahead on Exclusives

Download the Complex App