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.

Finesse Parlay – “Who Decided?”

Finesse Parlay returns to our site with “Who Decided?”, a lyric-driven track showcasing his lyrical prowess. Over a guitar-laced punchy soundscape, he proceeds to blwo the competition out the water with his stylish flow and engaging rhyme schemes. The song comes with a performance visual that captures him in his element.

RJ’s Latest Arrival x Slum Village- “One Step At A Time”

The legendary Detroit group RJ’s Latest Arrival and Slum Village share the visuals for “One Step At A Time”, a retro-tinged soulful jam that celebrates love in that classic Detroit soul style. Over a glowing, vibey slow jam fleshed out with strings and funk riffs, founder RJ Rice croons out a sensual duet with the lovely DeDe Leitta. The lyrics weave together both moments of intimate bliss and the gentleness of long-term commitment. With overwhelming funk and seduction, Slum Village crashes the scene with an extra oomph of confidence to close out this timeless track. The accompanying video features fedora-donned RJ and mink-slung DeDe cooing out their tunes in front of throwback photos from the glory days. Band members groove along while couples dance lovingly behind, hearts in time to the beat. As the room fills with smoke, Slum Village takes the stage, repping D-town and rapping over its city streets. To rock along to this classic Detroit vibe, all that listeners need to do is push play.

Drive Thru Alumni – “I’m In It” (feat. Drive Thru Alumni)

Nashville-based producer duo Drive Thru Alumni make their entry on our playlist with “I’m In It” featuring rapper Spark Houston. The track is an anthemic and punchy track that blends a choral vocal-driven soundscape with rousing drum grooves and fiery raps. The visual is a blend of home tapes and weird public-domain clips of various forms of worship

Drive Thru Alumni is a producer duo that hails from Nashville. The duo consists of Parker Forbes and Brandon Kelly. The two met in the 8th grade and have been sharing, writing and producing music together ever since, over numerous different projects. Drive Thru Alumni is a collection of songs and instrumentals scrapped together by Parker and Brandon, with vocalists varying from friends of theirs in Nashville to new found friends in Toronto, Madrid, Los Angeles etc.

Haz & Miloux x Haz’ Beats x miloux – “March 12”

Haz & Miloux is the newest duo on the block, made up of award-winning producer Haz Beats (Harry Huavi) and singer/songwriter Miloux (Rebecca Melrose), their latest release titled “March 12” caught our eyes and ears. The soulful offering is a brilliant collaboration that blends dreamy and nostalgia-inducing soundscapes with rich melodic runs and heartfelt songwriting. The visuals are a blend of expressive and subtle motifs with seamless transitions and special visual effects.

“March 12” ushers in Haz & Miloux‘s second EP Brunette. The pair describe the EP as a collection of songs written about daily life as artists. It is a window into that time of their lives. Brunette follows the 2019 release of EP Blonde. The pair achieved phenomenal success with their debut EP, winning the 2020 Aotearoa Music Award for Best Soul/RnB Artist, and Blonde was shortlisted for the 2020 Silver Scroll Awards. Their songs are love letters to their influences, experiences and community.

Lord Willin x Madeline Hogan – “Is It?” prod. by John Solinas

The duo of  Lord Willin and Madeline Hogan aka Willin & Maddie share the visuals for their debut single  “Is It?”. The rich and cinematic production by John Solinas pairs the duo with a heartwarming and contemplative track that showcases their distinct styles in their purest form. Maddie opens the floor with her sublime vocal runs followed by Lord Willin’s vivid lyricism.

Director Tony Bizz also comes through to give the song a fitting realistic visual treatment.

AMYRA – “SAGE”.

Singer/songwriter/activist AMYRA makes her debut appearance on our playlist with “SAGE”. The track is a heartwarming soulful record that explores the dynamics of self-discovery and the many questions it could answer. Over the soft and sublime soundscape made up of rich guitar lucks, warm keys and groovy drums, AMYRA delivers an ear-grabbing performance ripe with unapologetic lyrics that serve as a reminder, a mantra, and an invitation to prioritize oneself in a world that often aims to diminish us.

The visual is as expressive as they come and captures AMYRYA in her element.

Mitchy Slick x Sir Veterano – “Keep Gettin Money”

Southeast San Diego, CA rapper Mitchy Slick presents the Niko Alexzander-directed music video for “Keep Gettin Money”, the new single from Everybody Hates Mitch, Mitchy’s new collaboration album with Central Valley, CA producer Sir Veterano. The “Money” visual comes on the heels of music videos for singles “Dago Nights”  and “In My El Co” and continues Mitchy Slick’s slew of releases. The funky grooves and rich textures are perfect for Mutchy’s smooth flows and a catchy melodic hook also comes in handy as well.

Andon – “Love Language (No Space)”

Alternative pop musician Andon shares the visuals for his single “Love Language (No Space)”, a heartfelt track that sees him pouring his deepest thoughts on wax. The track also comes with an accompanying video that accentuates the theme of unconditional love between two individuals and the craziness that comes with it. From paranoia, and anger to deep love, the visual brings those emotions to life.

Acid Jackson – “OBSRVTN”

Long Beach, California duo AJCKS (Acid Jackson) share the visuals for their single “OBSRVTN”, a gritty track that is filled with insightful and bravado raps. The production by Ill2lectual The Sound Cultivator is cinematic, rousing and ominous while the vivid lyricism from Illistic gives listeners something to think on. The accompanying visuals is directed by underground veteran Illogic who help bring the song to life with performance shots, edgy cut scenes and seamless transitions.

“OBSRVTN” appears on the forthcoming EP Good Grief (which will drop on 7/29 and will be released in digital, vinyl and cassette versions). Purchase single / Pre-order album here.

AWOL Da Mindwriter – “My Baby”

Long Island, NY emcee AWOL Da Mindwriter and production comrade JHershey return with new visuals for “My Baby.” The single is a reflective and nostalgia-filled track that sees AWOL going back in time as he takes us through his not-so-glamorous childhood. Over the solemn and soulful soundscape put together by JHershey, AWOL details some personal stories about the passing of his mother, his relationship with his aunt and the love and inspiration he took from them. The visuals make use of performance shots, moody and somewhat emotional motifs that taps into the theme of the song itself.

This video is the newest single from the recently released SEGA-AM2 (PART II) project (released via the 7EmeraldsMedia Label.