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.

The Sickest Drama -“White Noise”

Veteran Jamaican lyricist The Sickest Drama opens up this week’s visual list with “White Noise” taken from his forthcoming project entitled Luxury Tax. The track is a dark moody and insightful piece made up of ominous synths and sparse drum grooves underpinned by TSD’s vivid and engaging lyricism. He is also joined by Dizzy The Ill One who adds a soothing melodic touch to the chorus section. Directed by Simon The Writer, this intense visual experience captures the essence of The Sickest Drama in his element with great performance shots, helping you put a face to the potent flows and lyrical fireworks on display.

YUNGMORPHEUS – “Where It Goes” feat. Jimetta Rose

YUNGMORPHEUS shares visuals for his new release “Where It Goes” featuring LA producer/vocalist  Jimetta Rose. LA-based, Florida-raised rapper/producer YUNGMORPHEUS is currently working on his forthcoming album From Whence It Came, and this new single continues his slew of releases. Bolstered by the jazzy and moody production courtesy of Dirty Art Club, YUNGMORPHEUS shares some of his thoughts on wax. The visuals are psychedelic and make use of sublime images with watercolour-like effects. Additionally, YUNGMORPHEUS will be joining frequent collaborator Fly Anakin on a co-headlining US tour, kicking off May 31 in Atlanta. The tour will include stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Public Records in Brooklyn.

Fly Anakin – “Affirmations” Feat. Pink Siifu

Fly Anakin and Pink Siifu drop “Affirmations” taken from his new LP titled Skinemaxxx (Side A). The track has a mellow soulful vibe and sees Fly Anakin in his usual demeanour ripe with reflective and no-holds-barred raps. The visuals are a mix of  stop motion claymation and strata-cut animation.

Following the project’s release, Anakin is joining YUNGMORPHEUS on a co-headlining US tour kicking off on May 31st in Atlanta. The tour will stretch across 6 dates, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and a night at Public Records in Brooklyn.

Katie Ladubz – “Nixon”

San Diego-based New Hampshire-born rapper/singer Katie Ladubz makes her entry on our site with “Nixon”. The track is a punchy trap tune that explores the rapper’s journey and the ups and downs of life as it is. The visual is simple and makes use of performance shots of her in her element.

Tzarizm – “Knowwhattimeitis”.

Central Florida emcee/producer TzariZM has returned with new visuals, “Knowwhattimeitis” for our list. “Knowwhattimeitis” is a raw dose of gritty and hard-body boom-bap that 80’s and 90’s hiphop fans will love. From the gritty soundscape made up of cinematic textures and rousing pads to Tzar’s commanding vocal presence, the result is pure lyricism at its peak. Filmed on location in St. Thomas (the Virgin Islands) underground heads may spot cameos from Tzar’s crew including MidaZ The BEAST, Okito, Aahmean, DJ Dolo and Tem. “Knowwhattimeitis” is the first leak from TzariZM’s forthcoming LP titled O.T.H.E.R  which is set to drop in May.

Apex Zero x Moussa Dembele – “Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)”

Prolific UK rapper/spoken word poet/songwriter and multi-disciplinary artist Apex Zero delivers the visuals for his new effort titled “Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)”. The release is the follow-up to his visual album Drummer Warrior Storyteller and sees him once again teaming up with brilliant, multidisciplinary artists, the album is made (so far) of films, paintings, metalwork, photography, costume design, drum circles, immersive theatre productions and more. The track features Malian singer and master Kora player Moussa Dembele and poetically expresses Apex’s perception-shifting journey as he strives to focus less on the obstacles and struggles of life and the need to appreciate the beauty of existence in all its forms.

“Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)” as a song is largely inspired by Apex’s journey to the Venezuelan Amazon, where he experienced the sacred Yopo ceremony of the Piaroa people under the guidance of Great Shaman Rufino Ponare. Apex documented this life changing experience in his film ‘Release the Fear: The Sacred Journey’ built around the album of Roots singer Natty. In ‘Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)’ Apex reflects on how his worldview has developed in the years since in creative, expressive lyricism that shows his skill as both an emcee and spoken word artist.

“Seventh Dimension (On Perspective)” is the first track released from “Drummer Warrior Storyteller (Part Two)”– set to drop May 19th, 2023 as an EP and film. Both the track and EP symbolize a significant change in the ideas and style expressed in the album’s first part. The Kora is a traditional West African storytelling instrument, and Moussa Dembele’s virtuoso musicianship and atmospheric vocals build the perfect vibe for Apex Zero to channel the traditions of the Griot and Djeli, the story keepers of African oral histories.

Meek – “Live & Not Die” featuring Quiet Storm

Meek help us close out the list on a positive and uplifting note with the visuals for the song “Live & not die”. The production is a smooth mix of R&B and soul and has a nostalgic aesthetics and the vocal runs are sublime as well. The visual looks into the dyanmics of life, love and being strong enough to make the right decisions and staying positive in the face of adversity.