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.
Sycosis – “Pay Me Back”
Sycosis is currently preparing his 7th project but in the meantime, he shares the visuals for “Pay Me Back”. The lead single is a dance-infused track that blends catchy hooks, easy-to-follow lyrics and an overall feel-good vibe. The visual is a party filled with gorgeous ladies and a fun-filled atmosphere. “Pay Me Back” is the lead single of the 7th Studio Album Pre-Approved.
KOSHA DILLZ – “Ups and Downs”.
KOSHA DILLZ comes through with yet another engaging visual for the song “Ups and Downs”. The feel-good track sees him going through the wringer of being stuck in a daily cycle. The visual is a collage of colorful and zany characters in his stomping grounds in NY city.
Nec Nymbl – “Paralyzed Minds”
Nec Nymbl s latest release aims to keep weak emcees with “Paralyzed Minds”. The cinematic track is as dark and ominous as they come and sees the rapper in his element. Armed with his gruff vocals and unfiltered rhyme schemes, he comes through with passion and energy. The visual taps into the no hold barred theme and makes use of several set pieces and wild performance shots with different clips from pop culture and news reels.
Bobby Thibs – “Cupid’s Revenge”.
Bobby Thibs‘ “Cupid’s Revenge” is an insightful dive into the damaging effects of being in a toxic relationship. Bolstered by a sombre and moody soundscape, Bobby delivers a pained melodic performance ripe with melancholic lyrics about hurt and mental abuse. The song comes with a vivid claymation video that captures his pain in detail.
Marcey Yates – “BWTH”
Marcey Yates shares the visuals for his song “BWTH”, a heartfelt coming-of-age song that captures his growth from a kid to a young man. Over the punchy and moody backdrop, he takes us through the journey of a man who knows his worth and is ready to achieve his dreams by all means. He is joined by fellow rapper Verze The Ape King who adds his own personal touch to the track. The accompanying visual is a blend of performance shots and visual storytelling that follows the exploits of rebellious kids through a dystopian-like location.
Star2 – “Outside” (feat. $tupid Young)
Myanmar-born San Diego-based rappers Star2 and $tupid Young caught our ears with their new single “Outside” which details their individual stories from nothing to something and their resilient spirit. Over the dark and ominous soundscape, each emcee comes through with his own take on the matter and explains everything they had to do to make bread and feed their family.
Directed by Chico Bennett, the music video is cut with quintessential Star2 graphics that enhance the anti-hero ambiance. Star2 and $tupid Young are captured courtside at the neighbourhood park, circling like sharks at an underground poker table, and parading through the streets in ski masks. “Outside” is a seal of authority as both Star2 and $tupid Young recount their roots over an intense, adrenaline spike of visuals with equally venomous sonics to match.
Star2 began his life in a Thai refugee camp where he was forced to flee genocide from the Burmese army in Myanmar who burned his village to the ground. A lottery in the camp brought him to San Diego with his grandmother and her four children. Working alongside producer Chico Bennett, his collaborations with acclaimed rappers include Soulja Boy, $tupid Young, Mozzy, MBNel, Luh Kel, Lil Poppa, HoodTrophy Bino, YSN Flow, and MarMar Oso to name a few
“Outside” is taken from Star2 and $tupid Young’s collaboration EP, Different Breed.
Mickey O’Brien x Sarah Craig x Myka 9 “Antipathy” (feat. Myka 9, Fresh Kils & Sarah Craig)
Sudbury, ON-based rapper Mickey O’Brien, Sarah Craig and Myka 9 deliver the visuals for the song “Antipathy”. The track which is produced by veteran award-winning producer Fresh Kils is as gloomy and dark as they come and is perfect for the anti-establishment and thought-provoking theme. The emcees question the absolute disregard for the masses by the powers that be for the poisoning of our water or humanity as a whole as well. Along with his verse, Myka 9 also lends his voice to the hook backed by vocalist Sarah Craig who adds her soulful touch to the mix. From Montezuma’s Revenge to Flint, Michigan, The rappers remind us that there’s something in the water.
The accompanying animated visual also adds an interesting and imaginative spin on the song. “Antipathy” is the lead single from Mickey’s third album, Orebody.
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