Welcome to TWIB’s Weekly Top 10 Videos. This is a segment where we will be looking at some exceptional visuals from various acts from around the globe. The music video format has been around for decades and through the 90s and 2000s, it has taken flight from multi-million budget music videos, to mid to low-budget videos with exceptional features. In this section, we will not discriminate but rather highlight some of the creative visuals that pop up on our radar.
Again, we promise to bring you the best from high to low budget, to animated to DIY and first and foremost, the most creative visuals we can source.

Read on the previous editions HERE.

Reezan – “Fire Squad”.

Rising artist Reezan helped us launch this week’s video playlist with the aptly titled track titled “Fire Squad”. Backed by a cinematic and pounding backdrop, Reezan embodies the spirit of a man on a mission. Armed with his distinct laidback flow, impassioned demeanour and stylish songwriting, he gives listeners a blend of bravado with a motivational touch. The visual is straightforward and uses performance shots with engaging cut scenes and transitions to bring the song to life.

Twin Hector – “Special”.

Singer/songwriter Twin Hector shares the visuals for his song “Special” which captures his unique style while paying tribute to the legendary D’Angelo. The guitar-laden soulful tune sees him reflecting on the emotions that come with having a true connection with that special someone, from mental to physical stimulation. The D’Angelo-inspired video captures him unclad, showing off his abs and pecs as he pours his heart on wax.

Ace G $M.i.E$ – “Death & Taxes”

Independent recording artist Adrian Borges a.k.a.  Ace G $M.i.E$ reminds us that nothing is guaranteed besides “Death & Taxes”. The track is bolstered by a dark and haunting backdrop made up of ominous vocal samples, melancholic piano riffs and punchy drums underpinned by Ace G’s bravado raps and confident flow. The visual has that gritty and cinematic feel and captures his laidback demeanour.

Sarz x Asake x Gunna – “Happiness” (feat. Asake & Gunna)

Legendary Nigerian producer Sarz teams with fellow Nigerian superstar singer Asake and rapper Gunna for this summer jam titled “Happiness”. The uplifting tune dwells on living on the positive side of life and blocking out the noisemakers and detractors. The accompanying visual encapsulates the theme of the tune with its bright and colourful aesthetics.

THXSOMCH – “When The Devil Speaks”

Rising Toronto-based artist ThxSoMch returns with his brand new single “When The Devil Speaks”, an upbeat guitar-driven track that is energetic and sees him pouring his heart on wax. His punk-infused energy and stylish melodic runs all come together like white on rice and bring something refreshing to the scene with his genre-fluid approach. The video is directed by their longtime collaborator Tommy Kiljoy who captures the artist in his natural habitat, from chilling his crew, preparing behind the scenes and rocking the crowd with his band.

ANTH x Conor Maynard – “Won’t Feel the Same”

Singer/rapper ANTH teams up with UK vocalist  Conor Maynard for “Won’t Feel the Same”, a sombre and heartfelt tune that explores the emotions and pain between past love. Over a moody and sombre backdrop made up of melancholic pianos and punchy drums, ANTH details the aftermath of a dissolved relationship and the drama that ensues between his ex and her new lover. The lyrics are candid and relatable while the visual makes use of performance shots of both artists.

Pat Lawson x Sara Lugo – “Keep On Moving”

Two worlds collide positively as pop artist Pat Lawson links with reggae musician Sara Lugo for this brilliant uplifting tune titled “Keep On Moving”. The upbeat tune has a blend of soul and modern pop with reggae-inspired rhythms underpinned by their distinct melodic styles and inspiring lyrics that implore us to always stay positive and explore new paths. The visual shot by New York video artist Sean Riller uses quite a lot of effects and visual techniques that capture the essence of the title juxtaposed against the interconnectivity between humans and machines.

Classified x Mike Boyd – “The Hardy Boyds” (feat. Mike Boyd)

Canadian emcees Classified and Mike Boyd deliver this triumphant track “The Hardy Boyds” which harks back to the good old days of raw unfiltered raps and punchy boom-bap beats. Over the horn-driven backdrop, the emcees proceed to wreak havoc on the microphone with no-holds-barred raps that thread the line between bravado and nostalgia as they deliver a flurry of verbal blows in quick succession.  The visual follows suit and keeps up with the energy of the thumping track with fast-paced editing and quick-cut scenes that follow the duo through their stomping grounds.

Twenty3wayz – “twenty3 & one”

Stockton, CA-based Twenty3wayz shares visuals for his new single “twenty3 & one”, a reflective tune that explores his tumultuous upbringing and experiences in his town. Over Dae One’s vocal sample-driven backdrop and lush textures, he delivers his heartfelt story with a melodic cadence and vivid lyricism. The visual directed by Blu employs engaging scenic shots, seamless transitions and effects that tie the story together.

The Diamond Collective – “Pull Up”

The Diamond Collective is the music brainchild of producer Dae One who recruits all the best female artists from around the country. On their latest release “Pull Up”, he recruits the talents of Miss Bliss, Kemadonna, LightBrown Lyrics and Melly Mells World. Over Dae One and Lfinguz‘s soulful and bouncy backdrop, the emcees deliver fiery raps that detail their experiences with cheating partners. Known for not backing down or taking any losses, the ladies remind these ungrateful men that they better fix up or else they will pull up.  The accompanying visual shot by Yellow Nguyen makes use of excellent storyboarding techniques, performance shots and cinematic edits to bring the song to life.

MidaZ The BEAST – “And 1 (single)”

MidaZ The BEAST and Planet Asia tap into the classic And-1 mixtape series with this tribute track  “And 1 (single)”.  Backed by the cinematic backdrop provided by SHARP, the duo proceed to break barriers with edgy verbal slugs, reminding us of the good old days of the street basketball league. The visual is shot by STELTZZ (in Orlando, FL) who uses performance shots of MidaZ and PA intertwined with clips from old footage of And 1 games.

Monifa Goss – “Bad Gyal”.

Rising Dancehall/RnB star Monifa Goss helps close out the playlist on the grand note with the visual for her new song “Bad Gyal”, which is lifted from her debut EP entitled Eve. “Bad Gyal” is a brilliant mix of Dancehall/modern R&B with pop sensibilities that sees her in her element. Armed with her sultry vocals and rich melodic style, she embodies the power of her femininity and strength in her beauty and finesse. The visual shot by Hue Wisdom features the star partying up in the club, Gossy-style. From the seductive dance moves, cinematic aesthetics and eye-popping costumes and set pieces, Monifa takes us into her world filled with passion and excitement.