Hip-Hop & Soul N°407 – 2010s Music Videos

1 . Migos, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B – Motorsport

“MotorSport” spins the allure of speed, luxury, and the gritty glamour of hip-hop into a frenetic three-way headliner battle.

The track lands straight out of Migos’ 2017 “Culture II” album, flaunting their rapid-fire flows tethered to a sleek, trap-heavy beat courtesy of Murda Beatz, TM88, and Southside.

Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, two heavyweight lyrical sharp-shooters, park their bars next to Migos’ swagger, creating a combustion of ego, flair, and braggadocio.

Its cybernetic music video doubles down on the high-octane theme, featuring luxury cars, robotic motifs, and an unspoken competition of who can out-dress whom (spoiler: metallic armor and leather dominate).

There’s an irony in all the gleaming tech and leather-clad flexing when the lyrics mostly fall back on familiar tropes of fame, excess, and a not-so-casual peppering of misogyny.

Cardi B’s rapid-fire confidence and Minaj’s icy precision almost feel like a duel, perfectly synced with a backdrop of climbing billboards and digital streams spiraling past 550 million on YouTube.

Migos hold the track steady, with Offset weaving in some “life of crime meets life of luxury” rhymes that sound casually audacious and darkly celebratory.

Still, it’s hard to ignore how the spotlight burns brighter on Minaj and Cardi, whose coinciding verses sparked endless fan speculation about underlying tensions—and let’s be real, that’s part of the song’s magnetism.

The collaboration may not push boundaries artistically, but it thrives on star power, an airtight beat, and just enough drama to keep ears perked.

Featured on the 2018 album “Culture II”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

2 . N.E.R.D & Rihanna – Lemon

N.E.R.D and Rihanna’s 2017 track “Lemon” emerges as an audacious blend of sharp lyrical commentary, twitchy production, and Rihanna’s rare rap persona.

The song, a product of Pharrell’s signature percussive chaos, is a jittery cocktail of hip-hop and bounce influences, tinged with socially conscious undertones tackling topics like racial disparity and gun legislation.

Rihanna’s deadpan delivery slices through the frantic beat with an edge that feels almost too effortless, adding a layer of cool detachment to the track’s politically defiant energy.

The accompanying video, starring Mette Towley, is stark and hypnotic, with Towley’s choreography taking center stage, perfectly mirroring the song’s raw and restless vibe.

Chart-wise, “Lemon” doesn’t set the world ablaze, peaking modestly across various regions, but it finds its glory in the subversive space between experimental soundscapes and pop accessibility.

The Drake remix, released the following year, offers a slightly polished, more digestible version but strips away some of the original’s brash spirit.

Ultimately, the track reads like a Rorschach blot—constantly shifting between chaotic fun, calculated rebellion, and experimental unpredictability, making “Lemon” equal parts exhilarating and confounding.

Featured on the 2017 album “No One Ever Really Dies”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

3 . Stormzy – Blinded By Your Grace, Pt. 2 (w/ MNEK)

Stormzy’s “Blinded By Your Grace, Pt. 2,” featuring MNEK, merges grime and gospel in a way that feels both audacious and intimate.

As part of his debut album *Gang Signs & Prayer*, it peaks at an intersection of spirituality and urban reality, bringing together lofty themes and raw textures.

Co-produced with Fraser T. Smith and released in 2017, the track climbs to number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, striking a chord with those looking for more than just another grime single.

The song’s faith-infused lyrics juxtapose fragility with resilience, creating a moment as vulnerable as it is defiant.

MNEK’s velvety vocals amplify the emotional landscape, lifting Stormzy’s prayer-like verses into a realm of collective redemption.

The music video trades typical grandeur for understated grit, filmed on a London council estate – a nod to community and shared humanity.

In performances, notably Glastonbury 2017, this track doesn’t just occupy space; it transforms it, inviting audiences into reflective stillness amidst the usual festival chaos.

The song’s success lies not in overproduction or flashy hooks but in its ability to cater to believers of all kinds – religious or not – with its universal poignancy.

Featured on the 2017 album “Gang Signs & Prayer”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

4 . Khalid – Young Dumb & Broke

“Young Dumb & Broke,” a standout track from Khalid’s debut album *American Teen*, captures the paradox of youthful optimism and limited means.

Released in 2017 and co-written with Joel Little, the song’s laid-back, mid-tempo R&B vibe nailed the spirit of a generation, effortlessly climbing to #18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and securing the top spot on the Billboard R&B Songs chart for 11 weeks.

Its appeal extended internationally, charting impressively in regions like the Philippines and New Zealand, and streaming numbers speak for themselves—over 1 billion Spotify plays by December 2023.

The music video, peppered with appearances by Normani and Wayne Brady, among others, feels like a quirky nod to high-school memories, further solidifying its visual charm with 980M+ views on YouTube by October 2024.

For all its chart-topping bravado, the true magic lies in its relatability—the lyrics trade flash for the universal currency of teenage woes and fleeting romances.

In a strategic twist, the 2017 medley version with Imagine Dragons added a touch of stadium-sized grandeur, confirming that even “broke” vibes might actually pay well.

Featured on the 2017 album “American Teen”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

5 . Lil Uzi Vert – Xo Tour Llif3

“XO Tour Llif3” by Lil Uzi Vert, released in early 2017, sits comfortably at the crossroads of emo rap and commercial blockbuster.

Produced by TM88 and JW Lucas during an unglamorous 10-hour airport delay, the beat pulses with a languid 155 bpm tempo in B minor, matching the song’s woozy cocktail of heartbreak, existential dread, and pharmaceutical detours—not exactly hallmark greeting card material.

The refrain, “All my friends are dead,” cuts through with brutal frankness, a lyrical sledgehammer made meme-worthy by social media and its cultural ripple.

Musically, the track is a hypnotic mix of minimal melodies and vertiginous bass drops, an auditory echo of emotional unraveling.

The Virgil Abloh-directed video, drenched in distorted visuals and unexpected Arabic subtitles, leans into surrealism, while celebrity cameos like The Weeknd’s only underscore its pop-cultural heft.

By the time the record crescendoed to #7 on Billboard and earned multi-platinum certifications, its impact was undeniable—even the least invested listener couldn’t ignore its gravitational pull.

Stripped of pretension, “XO Tour Llif3” paradoxically stands tall as both a defining artifact of SoundCloud rap’s rise and a commercial juggernaut that refuses gilding or gloss.

Featured on the 2017 album “Luv Is Rage 2”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

6 . Professor Green – Read All About It (w/ Emeli Sandé)

“Read All About It” by Professor Green and Emeli Sandé surfaces as an emotional heavyweight, weaving personal narratives with a radio-ready polish.

Released as the primary single from Green’s sophomore album, it first gained traction at the top of the UK Singles Chart, cementing its commercial success within its opening week.

The track lays bare autobiographical wounds, delving into familial strife and generational pain, all underscored by a hip-hop sensibility intertwined with Sandé’s soaring chorus.

Critics couldn’t help but draw parallels to Eminem’s penchant for raw confessions, noting its seamless blend of vulnerability and chart-friendly aesthetics.

Musically, the production leans on TMS and Iain James, employing a crisp arrangement that layers poignant piano melodies over a steady rhythmic undercurrent.

The visual counterpart, soaked in shadowy tones and cutting imagery, mirrors the song’s weight, a fitting accompaniment to lyrics brimming with unresolved emotions.

Sandé’s performance at the London Olympics in 2012 only amplified the song’s cultural footprint, though purists may argue the Olympic rendition lacked the emotional density of the original collaborative dynamic.

While its commercial appeal is undeniable, the track’s most striking feature lies in its ability to balance accessible pop structures with genuine emotional resonance.

For Sandé, this song marks an early milestone that would later define her trajectory, serving as much as an introduction for her as it was a defining moment for Green’s narrative-driven approach.

“Read All About It” isn’t without its calculated moments, but its ability to evoke genuine empathy secures its place as a standout, distinctive even in an era saturated with confessional pop.

Featured on the 2011 album “At Your Inconvenience”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Instagram

7 . Drake – Headlines

Drake’s “Headlines” isn’t just a lead single; it’s a statement piece planted firmly in the lineup of his album *Take Care*, released in 2011.

With production by Boi-1da and Noah “40” Shebib, the track locks into a confident rhythm that mirrors the assured tone of its lyrics, where Drake addresses his stature and staying power in the industry.

The track charted impressively, peaking at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 while dominating the Hot Rap Songs chart at #1, showing its grip on hip-hop audiences at the time.

The Toronto-shot video, directed by La Mar Taylor and Hyghly Alleyne, set against the backdrop of homegrown landmarks like the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, lands as both a love letter to his roots and a visual power move.

Hints of homage permeate the video through visual references to Canadian hip-hop crews, but these nods carry more pride than nostalgia, firmly anchoring Drake in his moment.

Beyond its sleek production and success on the charts, “Headlines” becomes emblematic of Drake’s tightrope act: balancing vulnerability with bravado, self-awareness with self-promotion.

By 2018, the RIAA certified it quadruple platinum, making it clear that the track’s slow-burn charm reached both casual listeners and steadfast fans in equal measure.

Whether it’s live performances, its inclusion in curated playlists, or its omnipresence as an early-2010s anthem, “Headlines” stands as a confident checkpoint in Drake’s rise, perfectly summing up his penchant for making the personal feel universal.

Featured on the 2011 album “Take Care”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

8 . Nicki Minaj – Super Bass

Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass” catapults itself into the limelight as a track that fuses pop with rap, managing to walk that fine line between infectious melody and lyrical swagger.

Slickly produced by Kane Beatz and JMIKE, its 128 BPM pulse in B major doesn’t just invite you to listen; it dares you to move.

The playful yet risqué lyrics, co-written by Minaj and Ester Dean, mix flirtation with a self-assured confidence that’s hard to ignore.

Released as a bonus track on the *Pink Friday* Deluxe Edition in 2011, it defied its “bonus” status by peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Diamond certification a decade later.

Minaj’s unabashed celebration of bold, larger-than-life femininity reached its visual height in the Sanaa Hamri-directed video, a burst of neon choreography, Barbie-core aesthetics, and unapologetically vibrant set pieces.

The track’s dual-class status as a critical and viral success owes itself to a perfect storm: Minaj’s undeniable charisma, a hook-laden chorus that never bores, and serendipitous moments like Taylor Swift’s viral cover.

Even with its pop appeal, the song doesn’t abandon Minaj’s rap roots, cementing her ability to straddle two musical worlds with ease.

“Super Bass” became more than a track; it was a pop-culture flashpoint, one that set a precedent for blending mainstream accessibility with boundary-pushing flair.

For all its polish, what saves it from forgettable radio fluff is its personality—a shot of Nicki’s unrelenting brand of individuality in the expansive landscape of 2010s pop.

Featured on the 2010 album “Pink Friday”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

9 . Lil Pump – Gucci Gang

“Gucci Gang” occupies a curious space in modern music, combining relentless repetition with a minimalist structure that straddles absurdity and genius.

The track lands at a compact 2 minutes and 4 seconds, an almost defiant statement in an attention-starved era, propelling it to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, the shortest song to reach such heights in over four decades.

The production by Bighead and Gnealz thrives on simplicity, a bass-heavy trap beat paired with sparse instrumentation, echoing punk rock’s stripped-down ethos while rooting itself in SoundCloud rap’s lo-fi aesthetic.

Lyrically, it’s unapologetically hedonistic, cycling through clichés of luxury, drugs, and excess, yet the relentless mantra of “Gucci Gang” transforms the banal into a hypnotic chant.

The accompanying music video, with its outlandish visuals, a high school turned playground for chaos, and an inexplicable tiger, amplifies the song’s ironic decadence, crossing into the meme-ready realm that Lil Pump so effectively inhabits.

The song’s viral success, bolstered by its ubiquity and parodies, underscores its role as both a sonic critique and celebration of consumer culture, though whether it achieves depth or just expensive clutter remains open to interpretation.

Love it or loathe it, “Gucci Gang” stands less as a multifaceted work of art and more as a cultural artifact, marking TikTok’s ascendancy, SoundCloud rap’s peak, and the internet’s ability to shrink the distance between parody and sincerity.

Featured on the 2017 album “Lil Pump “.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

10 . NSG – Options (w/ Tion Wayne)

Released in late 2018, NSG’s “Options” featuring Tion Wayne occupies a curious crossroads between afroswing, grime, and UK rap, genres that collectively fuel much of contemporary British youth culture.

Produced by Jae5, whose deft touch has become synonymous with Afrobeat-infused sounds, the track relies on a buoyant rhythm section that feels like a calculated invitation to dance floors, yet doesn’t veer into the banal.

Its hook, repetitive and almost hypnotic, manages to toe the fine line between infectious and overplayed—an achievement in itself given the track’s ubiquity on social media platforms and within club circuits.

Chart success seemed inevitable, peaking at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart in early 2019 and securing the coveted Platinum certification for its sales.

Yet, “Options” isn’t just numbers; it captures a portrait of contemporary London—a city of global influences, where Afro-Caribbean musical traditions intersect seamlessly with gritty local rap narratives.

Tion Wayne’s feature acts less as a guest appearance and more as an extension of the track’s swagger, his unhurried flow contrasting NSG’s more melodious delivery.

If there’s criticism to be had, it’s that the production, although polished, doesn’t push many boundaries, favoring familiarity over innovation.

Still, its cultural resonance cannot be overstated, cementing itself as an anthem for a generation navigating options, both lyrical and literal, within a rapidly shifting musical and urban landscape.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Official Site

11 . Steel Banglez – Bad (w/ Yungen, Mostack, Mr Eazi & Not3s)

Steel Banglez delivers a genre-blending cocktail in “Bad,” a track that drips with the swagger of UK rap and the infectious rhythms of Afrobeat.

Featuring Yungen, MoStack, Mr Eazi, and Not3s, the lineup itself feels like a curated playlist—each artist bringing their unmistakable fingerprint to the table.

The production leans heavily on Steel Banglez’s knack for contrasts: melodic beats that lull you into rhythm, interrupted by chords that jab just enough to keep ears pricked.

Who wins the spotlight? Mr Eazi, perhaps, whose laid-back Nigerian Afrobeat essence wraps itself around the track like a velvet rope, softening the grittier UK grime edges provided by Yungen and MoStack’s verses.

The music video, with its chaotic mix of a barber shop turned party venue and neon-lit club vibes, screams excess—not in an aspirational way, but in a “live fast, spend quick” sort of recklessness.

Lyric-wise, the themes don’t stray far from loyalty and lifestyle, but “Bad” does more heavy lifting as a vibe piece than a storytelling venture.

It’s worth mentioning that Steel Banglez has a knack for corralling diverse artists into cohesive works, though this track doesn’t quite surge into his top-tier achievements.

“Bad” gained respectable momentum on the UK charts, settling at number 29—a solid nod for a single that thrives more on rhythm and atmosphere than lyrical depth or innovation.

Yet from its 2017 release under Warner Records, it’s clear this is built for the club speakers first, the playlists second, and the critics last.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Instagram

12 . Lloyd – Dedication To My Ex [Miss That] (w/ Lil Wayne, André 3000)

Lloyd’s “Dedication to My Ex (Miss That),” featuring Lil Wayne and André 3000, is a curious blend of vintage charm and contemporary swagger.

Rooted in retro-soul aesthetics, the track leans heavily on vibrant brass instrumentation and a falsetto vocal style that channels Smokey Robinson while retaining Lloyd’s unique flair.

Lyrically, it’s an expletive-laced ode to heartbreak and betrayal, enveloped in a soundscape of polished nostalgia that feels as much like an homage as it does an emotional venting session.

The collaboration is anchored by distinct contributions: André 3000’s rap verse injects his signature wit and lyrical dexterity, while Lil Wayne’s opening monologue adds a streak of mischief amid the melancholy.

Despite its explicit undertones—UK radio edits delicately swapped out “pussy” for “lovin’”—the song climbed global charts, peaking at No. 4 in the UK and breaking into the top 20 of the US Rhythmic chart.

The accompanying music video, directed by Bryan Barber, matches the track’s retro vibes with a theatrical, somewhat surreal aesthetic: a lip-syncing cat delivering André’s verse steals the show, adding an unexpected layer of whimsy to an otherwise bittersweet anthem.

Originally released on Lloyd’s 2011 album *King of Hearts*, the song’s production comes courtesy of Polow da Don and D. Smith, who expertly balance the tension between classic Motown influences and sleek modern R&B stylings.

Structurally, the song hinges on its chorus, a sing-along earworm that feels both playful and aching, encapsulating the contradictory emotions of longing and resentment post-breakup.

For all its polish, there’s something slightly unpolished about the juxtaposition of its soulful nostalgic veneer with its raw, unfiltered lyrical theme, a push-and-pull that keeps it compelling nearly a decade later.

Featured on the 2011 album “King of Hearts”.

Lyrics >> Review >> More by the same : Instagram