Welcome to TWIB’s Weekly Top 5 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 really 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.
Dax – “Quiet Storm” Remix”
Dax has to be the hardest-working rapper out here as he always comes through with thought-provoking songs with equally engaging visuals. His latest effort is the “Quiet Storm” Remix”, where he makes use of the classic Mobb Deep song and uses it as a vehicle to share his thoughts on the current social climate. The video is action-packed and sees Dax as an alien lifeform who is being taken by government forces.
JAK FRAWST – “Gottamakeit”
JAK FRAWST gives listeners some ray of hope in this uplifting tune titled “Gottamakeit”. Over a soulful and reflective soundscape, the emcee shows us that one’s unfortunate backdrop is not the end all, be all and having the right mind state and right work ethic, we all have the chance to rise to the top.
ConSensus – “Gravitational Waves”
UK rapper Consensus is making “Gravitational Waves” as he drops the visual to the fiery track. the track is a blend of drill sounds with educational bars inspired by the LIGO institute‘s fairly recent detection of the phenomena. He gives listeners a blend of dope raps peppered with elements from his personal discussion with Prof. Martin Hendry of LIGO, and the Physics GCSE and A-level syllabus. The result is something for the books, literally speaking so hit the play button and learn something.
Mounika. and Ural Thomas and the Pain – I Looked into Her Eyes (ft. Ural Thomas & The Pain)”.
Producer Mounika. team up with Ural Thomas and the Pain for “I Looked into Her Eyes“, a heartfelt love tale ripe with moody and solemn textures and hypnotic vocal performance. The production is dynamic and the offbeat, ear-gripping melodic runs really ramp up the love tale with its unapologetic and heartwarming aesthetic. The visual is as cinematic as they come and follows the ups and downs of two young lovers caught up in the web of love.
Isaac Ray – “Bebe”
Singer/songwriter Isaac Ray shares visuals for his new song “Bebe”, a feel-good love track that sees him pouring adulations on his girl. Over the self-prodcued mid-tempo, warm guitar-driven backdrop, he peppers the track with his distinct melodic runs and heartfelt lyrics. The visual has a very engaging concept that makes use of silhouettes and performance shots of Isaac and his girl. It’s quite distinct and engaging as well.
MacArthur Maze – “San Pablo Dam”
The rising Bay Area crew MacArthur Maze delivers the slick and stylish new video for “San Pablo Dam,” a stunning display of lyricism and production that serves as the third single off the group’s upcoming album. The track has a dark and eerie aesthetic and sees the rappers detailing the mechanics of their city and the many characters and events that make it colourful. The rappers who help bring this to life include Champ, D. Bledsoe, Blvck Achilles, and D Sharp who lend their unique voices to the track. The black and white visuals are a blend of cut scenes, performance shots and seamless transitions that capture different sights of their hometown.
JM – “Stay With Me”
JM from the K-Star Team comes through with the video for his song “Stay With Me”. The bouncy track sees him in his element as he delivers an unapologetic performance over the lush soundscape. The visual captures the rapper/songwriter in his element as we see him doing what he knows best.
Krept & Konan X Abra Cadabra – “DAT WAY REMIX “(Remix by BEENIE MAN X FRENCH MONTANA x BACKROAD GEE x CLAVISH x PA SALIEU x K-TRAP xBANDOKAY x DOUBLE LZ x DOROAD)
Record-breaking rap duo Krept & Konan have released the official remix for their latest single “Dat Way” with an accompanying music video today. The new remix is epic and sees the duo enlisting some of the biggest artists from the UK, US and Jamaica; which includes Abra Cadabra, Beenie Man, Backroad Gee, French Montana, Clavish, Pa Salieu, K Trap, Bandokay, Double Lz and DoRoad. As the all-star line-up suggests the remix is full of different styles with each of the 12 artists delivering their own distinctive verse and marking the very first time Beenie Man has appeared on a Drill track.
The accompanying music video is directed by DON Productions and features appearances from all the artists on the remix. A mirror reflection of the original “Dat Way” video it was filmed across London with French Montana’s appearance shot in New York.
1Rich Park – “Pack Lunch”
1Rich Park helps close the list with “Pack Lunch”, a mellow reflective tune that digs deep into the rapper’s background. The sombre soundscape sure fits his gruff vocals and his graphic lyrical display. The Hella Hats Harry directed visual captures the rapper chilling with his crew and several GKFAM members as they do what they love the most and it also splices in shots of him working in the studio.