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.

 

 

 

Izu Osirus – “Back On The Road”

We kick off Episode 32 with the aid of Nigerian American musician Izu Osirus who is “Back On The Road” chasing his dreams. The track has a nice mix of Afropop and hip-hop elements and he delivers his verses with a smooth melodic approach while reflecting on his journey as an artist trying to reach the apex. The visual follows him as he gets back on the road from spot to spot, meeting new people and slowly knocking off his bucket list.

“Back On The Road” is taken from Izu’s upcoming project Foreign Language.

 

 

 

Guilty Simpson – “Go Where I Please” Prod. by Kount Fif (Cuts by DJ Ragz)

 

Detroit’s veteran rapper Guilty Simpson is back with visuals for his single “Go Where I Please”, a hard-hitting track that sees him in his element dropping fiery bars with his characteristic laidback commanding flow. The track is produced by Kount Fif while DJ Ragz cuts it up with a classic line from Nas.  Set in the shadows of Detroit, the accompanying video was edited by R.M.L. who help bring the booming track to life with his moody and somewhat dark aesthetics.

“Go Where I Please,” the first single off of Guilty Simpson’s upcoming album GUILT, Stream the single on All Streaming Platforms. Pre-Order GUILT Now Here.

 

 

 

 

Gola Gianni – “TOSEINA”

German rapper Gola Gianni makes an entry on our site with the Palazzo-produced “TOSEINA”, a bass-heavy trap track that showcases his laidback rap flow and different energy. The visual blends performance shots of the rapper having fun with his squad in the studio amongst other activities.

 

 

Vice Verses – “Count On Me” (ft Big OX, Prolific Wone & Slaine)

The late Vice Verses‘s single “Count On Me” gets the proper visual treatment. The reflective and thoughtful track produced by Zia Leonard / Idea Factory is punchy and energetic and captures the vivid lyricism from Vice Verses. He is not alone and brings in some tough acts such as Big OX, Prolific Wone & Slaine who add their own 2 cents to the topic of loyalty and being true to oneself and family.

Filmed by Jacob McCoy and using stunning night-time footage of New York City as a backdrop, the track serves as the perfect tribute to Jason “Vice Verses” Williams who passed in April 2020.

The track is especially touching as the trio of Vice, Prolific, and Slaine started out in a group called I2I at the beginning of their professional careers (circa 1998). Shortly after the group ended (in the year 2000) Vice, Prolific and Big Zoo founded the End Of The Weak (EOW), a legendary hip-hop showcase and emcee competition, the EOW emcee challenge. As a host, curator, and innovator Vice (along with his EOW family) helped introduce the world to such notables as Immortal Technique, NEMS, Justina Valentine, Jin, and many more. 

 

 

Sara Diamond – “Not All Fun Is Forever”

Sara Diamond helps close out this week’s visual list with “Not All Fun Is Forever”, a mellow ballad about fleeting love and the powerful emotions it can evoke. As expected, Sara delivers a soul-gripping performance ripe with soothing and alluring melodies. The visual is cinematic too and follows the ups and downs of two individuals in love and their somewhat sad tale.

The single is taken from her new project entitled SaraX EP.