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.
Jimmy G. $hi – “Drown Tonight”
Jimmy G. $hi opens up this week’s list with “Drown Tonight”, a sultry track that dives into true love between him and his partner. The track has a punchy texture and blends with his light and laidback melodic flow. The visual is sensual too and makes use of a blend of dark lighting, abstract set pieces, and performance shots of the artist with the lady of his life.
Benjamin A.D – “All On Me”
Lewisham-based artist Benjamin A.D caught our ears and eyes with the cinematic visuals of his new song titled “All On Me”. The heartfelt song dives into the dynamics of blossoming love between him and an unknown individual and him assuring her that he will be down for the long run. The visual style is brilliant and uses moving drone shots that circle around the set capturing Benjamin and his partner. It is like one long shot and it’s fantastically executed. The track is taken from his new EP entitled MOOD.
Ridge Long – “DBF”
Ridge Long is not new to us and in his new song “DBF” he shows a different side to his artistry. The upbeat bouncy track sees him having fun with the bars with bragging rights and a stylish rhyme scheme to match. NBG 23 and Big Sheem also join Ridge Long in this one. The visual is a blend of performance shots and twerking ladies strutting their stuff. It’s all fun and games on this one as he celebrates with his crew in the summer.
Spaceman Dela – “DIVE IN”
Spaceman Dela‘s “DIVE IN” gets the visual treatment and the result is a blend of DIY shots and party aesthetic that capture the ethereal hazy world the rapper inhibits. The production is smoky and atmospheric and his laidback flow is stylish and engaging as well.
Bukola – “Fabric Of My Being”
Singer/songwriter Bukola shares the visuals for her song “Fabric Of My Being”, a mellow reflective tune that explores her African background. Over a mellow guitar-laden backdrop, she explores her Yoruba heritage with pride and takes listeners deep into the rich ancient culture that forms the very essence of her being. The visual sure taps into the theme as we see different set pieces that have Yoruba elements and if I am not mistaken even a scene with her parents and family dressed in the traditional regalia. The entire arrangement is stylish, well-coordinated, and really captures the lyrics in the song.
Bukola recently worked with Grammy Award-winning producer, Chin Injeti, and Juno Award-winning producer Ben Kaplan on her debut EP The Chronicles of A Teenage Mind, which was released in 2021.
Brando Bambino x Hus Kingpin – “Maxell” prod. by Pyramid Tapes
Brando Bambino helps close this week’s list with a new single Maxell feat. underground stalwart Hus Kingpin, from the forthcoming album Bandito. Over Pyramid Tape’s haunting and crunchy production, Maxell invokes sonic opulence with lo-fi sensibilities, reminding us why we all started dubbing tapes, to begin with. The visual makes use of retro Maxell ads and it fits perfectly.