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.

 

 

 

STEP1 – “Jelly”

4 man rap group Step1 share the visuals for their song  “Jelly” which showcases their love for the golden era of rap with a modern twist. Over the smooth bass-laden groovy backdrop, the rappers deliver a mix of insightful and bravado bars that lovers of rap can appreciate. “Jelly” is directed and edited by Jonathan Howard, a director, filmmaker, and musician from the Washington DC area. The visual has a cinematic feel and blends different performance shots of the quartet in a seamless manner.

 

 

 

Miranda Joan – “Overstimulated”

Canadian pop/soul singer Miranda Joan makes her entry on our list with  “Overstimulated”. The mellow track captures her sensual side and she delivers a sultry performance ripe with evocative and graphic lyrics. The visual taps into her sensual style and it’s focused heavily on her eye-popping moves draped by beautiful scenery. The song is the lead single and title track of her forthcoming album of the same name.

 

 

Estee Nack – “I-RAK” (Prod by DJ Mastamind)

Hardworking emcee Estee Nack returns with “I-RAK”, a hard-hitting lyric-dense cut that sees him teaming with rapper Al. Divino and produer DJ Mastamind. Over a dark and brooding backdrop, Estee goes for the jugular with off-kilter bars underpinned by his large-than-life demeanour. The visuals follow suit with its dark and gritty aesthetic that makes use of performance shots and seamless cut scenes that showcases the duo’s no holds barred style.

 

 

 

 

 

El Gant – “Pageants” (feat. Ras Kass)

El Gant and Ras Kass‘s “Pageants” gets the proper visuals and it is only right for us to share it on our list. Mo Stafford is on directorial duties for the video, which centers on shots of the two emcees spitting their verses while posted up in a low-key apartment. It’s a fitting setting for this type of track because it’s all about eschewing pageantry and over-the-top BS in favour of artistry and lyrical content.

 

 

 

Addi P – “Highest Good”

Emerging Singer-songwriter, rapper and producer  Addi P help close out this week’s list with “Highest Good”. The soulful and reflective track is made up of lush and nostalgia-inducing textures and soft drum grooves that match her sultry melodic runs and heartfelt lyrics. The visual has a DIY feel and uses simple visual effects that showcase duality with a bit of a dreamy psychedelic feel. The song is the title track of her latest EP of the same name.