We're kicking off a brand new monthly recap feature on HotNewHipHop, where we look for the top music videos of the past month. Each month we'll round up the visuals that caught our eyes, from big and small rappers alike; this also gives you an opportunity to catch up on videos you may have missed.
The videos listed aren't necessarily the most popular or talked-about, but rather the most creative, and best-crafted. In their own way, each visual adds another element to the song, broadening its message.
Click through the gallery to view the top ten videos from the month of February, listed in no particular order. This month includes visuals from ScHoolboy Q, Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Fabolous and more.
Let us know which video you're digging the most.
Rich Homie Quan - "Party"
This music video is all types of chaos. Quan wakes up from a bad hangover (even the monkey’s there), and wonders what the hell kind of debauchery happened the night before. The video, directed by Gabriel Hart, replays the wild night in bright color. Bottles were popping, girls were twerking, and confetti was falling- all at breakneck speed. Party, indeed.
Nicki Minaj - "Lookin' Ass Nigga"
For Nicki Minaj's “Lookin Ass Nigga” visual, the femcee headed to a frozen lake in the middle of nowhere. Posing for the camera as if she was in a photo shoot, Nicki madly raps about always being looked at. It’s ironic, yes, but also brilliant. To cap it all off, she fires rounds of an assault rifle into the distance: hot and dangerous.
Schoolboy Q - "Break The Bank"
Schoolboy Q’s music videos have been pretty dope recently. Following the tropical “Man of the Year” visual, “Break The Bank” takes a totally different approach. Q roams the streets with his daughter, sips ‘40s with his homies, and plays piano in the video directed by Jason Goldwatch. It has a real gangster feel, matching Alchemist's production.
Young Money - "We Alright"
Many fans have been wondering what Euro looks like, and the “We Alright” video surely cleared up any questions regarding his appearance. Euro spends the first half of the video rapping with a bottle of champagne in his hand, before letting Birdman and his hand-rubbing cameos take turn. Near the video’s end, Lil Wayne brings the hoopla with his celebratory “Wolf of Wall Street” impression.
J. Cole - "She Knows"
J. Cole’s Born Sinner music videos have all been works of art, and many tell a story and/or have a message. Last year he released the positively-received “Power Trip” and “Crooked Smile” visuals, and this month he let go the video for “She Knows”. The visual is more of a short film than it is a music video, as J. Cole isn't actually seen rapping in the video, but rather makes an interesting cameo appearance near the end. It’s a thought-provoking visual, definitely one worth watching til the end.
Dizzy Wright featuring Chel'le - "The Perspective"
“She on Instagram flexin’…” Dizzy Wright’s “The Perspective” is dedicated to all the girls who are obsessed with racking up likes on Instagram. Rightly so, the video features girls twisting around snapping selfies of their curves. It’s a cool video concept, directed by Matt Alonzo.
Fabolous featuring Jeremih - "Thim Slick"
Fab lays low in his Calgary Flames jersey and raps about how he likes his women. The black-and-white video has plenty of thim slick females to look at, and at one point Fab is shown guilty of peaking, too. Jeremih also appears in the bodacious music video.
Yo Gotti featuring J. Cole & Canei Finch - "Cold Blood"
Perhaps the most soulful song on Yo Gotti’s I Am album, “Cold Blood” also turned out to be a genuine music video. No bottles of Belaire Rose or glistening jewelry here, just a true visual depicting Gotti’s early life in the struggle. The visual adds some more context to the song, with J. Cole’s chilling verse coming to life.
Tech N9ne featuring Kendrick Lamar, Kendall Morgan & Mayday! - "Fragile"
“Fragile” is filmed in a cold, dimly lit warehouse- the perfect environment considering the song’s harsh tone. The anger inside Tech N9ne is obvious, as he rambles around twitching his fingers like a wizard. Tech’s verse resembles more of a rant than it does a verse, and Kendrick Lamar’s fiery bars add fuel to the fire. Kendall Morgan’s calm, soft voice really cools the video down.
Mac Miller - "Avian"
Opening with blue-colored trees, the video starts off trippy and remains that way throughout. Mac Miller lets a monk do all the rapping, something like Drake’s dad in the beginning of the “Worst Behavior” video. Rotating camera angles, girls with matching outfits, and an abundance of pigeons make this visual a real doozy. Try watching this one with the sound off.