Hip-Hop & Soul N°448 – 2010s Music Videos

1 . Fuse ODG – Thinking About U (w/ Killbeatz)

Fuse ODG and Killbeatz combine forces in “Thinking About U,” a track that merges the infectious, layered rhythms of modern Afrobeat with a polished nod to pop sensibilities.

The song, which appeared on Fuse ODG’s 2019 album “New Africa Nation,” navigates the well-trodden themes of love and longing, but does so with a warmth and joy that’s hard to ignore.

Killbeatz’s production lends a crisp, buoyant foundation, showcasing his knack for balancing traditional Afrobeat elements with broader global appeal.

Fuse ODG’s vocals are as inviting as ever, gliding effortlessly over the instrumentation with a conversational ease that feels both intimate and celebratory.

What sets this track apart is its ability to feel contemporary without losing touch with its roots—a hallmark of their longstanding collaboration.

The chemistry between the two isn’t accidental; it’s the result of years spent honing a shared vision of what African music can accomplish on a global stage.

The track’s undercurrent of devotion has a lightness that resists over-sentimentality, striking a balance that keeps the energy high.

It’s a song as suitable for the late-night playlist as it is for packed-out dance floors, offering a versatility that speaks to its craftsmanship.

Both artists have built reputations for their boundary-pushing work, but this collaboration isn’t about reinvention—it’s a fine-tuning of what they already do best.

The result is a track that’s confident, effervescent, and undeniably infectious, carving out space once again for Afrobeat’s continuing ascent on the international music scene.

Featured on the 2014 album “T.I.N.A.”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

2 . Chris Brown – I Can Transform Ya (w/ Swizz Beatz . Lil Wayne)

Chris Brown’s “I Can Transform Ya” brims with swagger and metallic sheen, pairing his vocal chops with Swizz Beatz’s futuristic production and Lil Wayne’s sharp-edged verse.

Released in 2009, the track marked the lead single of Brown’s album “Graffiti,” blending hip-hop and R&B with an electrified intensity that nods heavily to its Transformers-inspired theme.

The polished beat is pounded into shape by Swizz Beatz, whose mechanical, staccato production mimics the robotic motifs embedded into the song’s DNA.

Wayne glides over the instrumental with his signature playful arrogance, dropping lines steeped in confidence, turning even a mechanical metaphor into brash entertainment.

The song’s ambitious premise, revolving around transformation, power, and ambition, aligns tightly with both its sonic choices and Brown’s dynamic vocals, which alternate between commanding and melodic.

It landed at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100—no small feat for a track that leans into its high-concept aesthetic without apology.

The accompanying Joseph Kahn-directed video didn’t hold back either, opting for a hyper-stylized celebration of intricate choreography and metallic visuals that clash and shimmer with a robotic elegance.

While critics were split on its thematic indulgence, few could deny the sheer conviction the track oozes, powered by a collaboration firing on all cylinders.

Performed during Brown’s “Fan Appreciation Tour,” the track cemented itself as a high-octane highlight, a statement piece of confidence and resilience woven into shapeshifting rhythms.

Featured on the 2009 album “Graffiti”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

3 . J. Cole – Foldin Clothes

J. Cole’s “Foldin Clothes” stands out as a unique ode to the everyday, capturing a tender moment of domestic bliss with unexpected sincerity.

Released in 2016 as part of *4 Your Eyez Only*, the track nestles comfortably within the album’s deeply personal narrative, showcasing a more grounded and relatable side of the rapper’s artistry.

With production helmed by Elite under Dreamville Records, the beat quietly lulls rather than dominates, mirroring Cole’s move toward subdued introspection over braggadocious flair.

The lyrics, almost playful in their simplicity, marry mundane tasks like folding laundry and pouring almond milk with themes of devotion that feel refreshingly unpretentious.

What makes this song compelling isn’t grandiose ambition but its willingness to dwell in small, human moments—an antithesis to the larger-than-life persona often expected in mainstream hip-hop.

It’s a track that betrays no polish or pretense, blending humor with humility in a way that resonates with fans craving stories of genuine connection.

No music video accompanied the track, keeping the focus squarely on the storytelling and the mood it evokes within the album’s broader conceptual journey.

While it didn’t inch its way onto chart positions, it remains a quiet triumph in Cole’s catalog, serving as a reminder of his ability to turn the ordinary into introspective art.

Featured on the 2016 album “4 Your Eyez Only”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

4 . Lil Wayne – 6 Foot 7 Foot (w/ Cory Gunz)

Lil Wayne’s “6 Foot 7 Foot,” featuring Cory Gunz, stands as a verbal onslaught set to a relentless beat borrowed from Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song).”

Released in late 2010 as the lead single from *Tha Carter IV*, it signals Wayne reclaiming his throne post-Rikers Island.

Bangladesh’s production snaps with a frenetic energy—a perfect canvas for Wayne’s labyrinthine rhymes and dizzying pace.

The track straddles absurdist humor and razor-sharp boasts, while Cory Gunz grabs his moment in the spotlight with a verse that feels like a sprint to the finish.

The accompanying video, directed by Hype Williams, juxtaposes surreal dreamscapes inspired by *Inception* with the track’s aggressive intensity, creating a visual spectacle that complements the lyrical chaos.

Charting immediately at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, this isn’t just another braggadocious anthem but a testament to Wayne’s knack for turning dense wordplay into mainstream appeal.

Performing it live, whether on *Saturday Night Live* or elsewhere, Wayne exudes unfiltered bravado—an artist unshaken and unrelenting.

This track isn’t a gentle reintroduction; it’s a battering ram of swagger, proving that Wayne’s time away didn’t dull his blade but sharpened it further.

Featured on the 2010 album “Tha Carter IV“.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Twitter

5 . Skepta vs N-Dubz – So Alive

“Skepta vs N-Dubz – So Alive” feels like a sonic handshake between two divergent UK music styles, grime and pop-driven hip-hop.

The track, part of Skepta’s third studio album “Doin’ It Again,” offers an interplay of raw grime cadence and the catchy hooks emblematic of N-Dubz.

Produced by Agent X, the instrumentation leans on jittery beats and glossy production, creating a platform for Skepta’s sharp delivery and N-Dubz’s melodic verses to blend.

While Skepta’s verses carry a gritty, streetwise energy, Dappy’s quirkiness and Tulisa’s vocal flourishes smooth the edges, creating a juxtaposition that intrigues but doesn’t always cohere.

Released in 2010, the song didn’t climb high, capping at number 99 on the UK Singles Chart, which might say something about its reluctance to commit fully to either genre world represented.

The accompanying video amplifies the upbeat vibe, with stage lighting reminiscent of live gig atmospheres, but without a conceptual punch to mirror the audacious nature of the collaboration.

Despite middling chart success, “So Alive” is notable for assembling two UK heavyweights, each then riding waves of individual acclaim, and embracing a hybrid energy that doesn’t always land but remains boldly unconventional.

Featured on the 2010 album “Love.Live.Life”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

6 . Future – Patek Water (w/ Offset & Young Thug)

“Patek Water,” a collaboration between Future, Offset, and Young Thug, drifts in with a glossy beat crafted by Southside and DY, perfectly engineered for trap’s rhythmic core.

Released as part of the “Super Slimey” mixtape in 2017, its presence helped propel the project to a #2 spot on the Billboard 200 chart, all without needing to masquerade as a lead single.

Despite its title nodding to the ultra-luxurious Patek Philippe watch, the track skips any subtlety and dives deep into relentless flexing—wealth as spectacle, ambition dripping off every line.

Offset’s rapid-fire delivery, Young Thug’s eccentric cadences, and Future’s glazed vocals swirl together in a cocktail of indulgence, with their signature ad-libs amplifying the track’s energy.

While “Super Slimey” marked the first full-scale joint undertaking between Future and Young Thug, “Patek Water” distinguishes itself as a juncture of trap’s star power—an emblematic track in a genre unafraid to revel in its own bravado.

Featured on the 2017 album “Super Slimey”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Twitter

7 . Kid Cudi – Pursuit Of Happiness [Nightmare] (w/ MGMT)

“Pursuit of Happiness [Nightmare]” from Kid Cudi’s “Man on the Moon: The End of Day” offers a melancholic yet hypnotic take on ambition and escapism, with Ratatat’s production pushing boundaries between genres.

The interplay of electronic beats, MGMT’s ethereal backing, and Kid Cudi’s introspective delivery creates a dreamlike tension—a fitting soundtrack to existential restlessness.

While the track’s Billboard Hot 100 peak at No. 59 might seem modest, its longevity lies in its ability to resonate beyond charts, becoming a cultural touchstone for late-night introspection and wide-eyed euphoria alike.

Its use in the film “Project X” cemented its reputation as a generational party anthem, while the song’s lyrics reveal a layered exploration of doubt and fleeting highs, subverting the very hedonism it’s often paired with.

The accompanying music video, with its hazy visuals and surreal party setting, mirrors the tension between indulgence and detachment that defines the track.

Rich in contradictions yet universal in its core emotions, “Pursuit of Happiness” continues to echo through covers and samples, a testament to its enduring place in pop zeitgeist.

Featured on the 2009 album “Man on the Moon: The End of Day”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

8 . 21 Savage – A Lot (w/ J. Cole)

Few hip-hop tracks manage to weave reflection with raw emotion as seamlessly as “A Lot” by 21 Savage and J. Cole.

Released in late 2018, this track feels like a musical ledger, where gratitude and hardship are balanced with unforgiving scrutiny.

The haunting sample of East of Underground’s “I Love You” gives the production an air of nostalgia, circling 21 Savage’s unflinching lyrics about family, betrayal, and survival.

J. Cole’s verse, added post-album release, operates like an unexpected gut punch, layering in broader social critiques alongside personal reflections.

It didn’t just flirt with the charts—it peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually scored a Grammy for Best Rap Song, making an indelible mark on contemporary hip-hop without veering into self-congratulation.

The understated elegance of the music video, directed by Aisultan Seitov, amplifies its depth, juxtaposing the warmth of family gatherings with darker realities lurking beneath.

What makes “A Lot” linger isn’t its ambition but its honesty—it’s harrowing, unfiltered, and unapologetically human, a testament to hip-hop’s power as a form of storytelling.

Featured on the 2018 album “I Am > I Was”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

9 . Kid Ink – Main Chick (w/ Chris Brown, French Montana, Yo Gotti, Tyga & Lil Bibby)

Kid Ink’s remix of “Main Chick” feels like a hip-hop collective on overdrive, where the original’s minimalist DJ Mustard production gets a lyrical upgrade courtesy of French Montana, Yo Gotti, Tyga, and Lil Bibby.

The original track, perched on the sleek foundation of Kid Ink’s 2014 album *My Own Lane*, already had a certain weight, straddling a silky beat and Chris Brown’s smooth vocal hooks, but the remix pushes boundaries more horizontally than vertically with its assortment of featured voices.

Each artist adds their own narrative twists, some more inspired than others, as the song remains firmly tethered to its themes of desire, self-assured bravado, and late-night entanglements.

Chris Brown’s earworm of a chorus might carry much of the heavy lifting here, while the additional verses hit in varying degrees—Tyga and Montana’s contributions feel energetic yet familiar, whereas Lil Bibby offers a grittier take that momentarily shifts the tone toward the raw.

It’s hard not to notice how reliant the track is on its collaborators, almost as if the remix’s raison d’être is in creating collectiveness for collectiveness’ sake, racking up rap stars like a playlist-making contest.

The remix skips any audible reinvention of the beat, sticking reverently close to the smooth yet predictable skeleton DJ Mustard built—exciting for fans craving more, but unlikely to convert the skeptical.

What’s missing, perhaps, is a moment of pure spontaneity; for all its swagger, the remix doesn’t quite step out of the shadow of the original, which peaked at a respectable spot on US rap charts.

Each verse feels expertly timed yet strategically cautious—mechanical, almost, in their alignment with what the audience expects rather than what might surprise them.

The absence of an accompanying music video further seats this remix in limbo: a well-staffed track with no visual anchor to elevate it into a cultural moment.

Oddly enough, while “Show Me,” another Kid Ink/Chris Brown collaboration, brought a spark to *My Own Lane*, “Main Chick” remains a solid follow-up, neither faltering nor particularly excelling in this extended version.

Perhaps it serves less as a milestone and more as a time capsule—early 2010s radio rap packed with hooks, a dash of hedonism, and an unspoken agreement among its contributors to stay in their respective lanes.

Featured on the 2014 album “My Own Lane”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Twitter

10 . Sidemen – The Gift (w/ S-X)

The Sidemen’s “The Gift,” made in collaboration with British artist S-X, channels holiday cheer through an unapologetically comedic lens.

Born out of a 2020 Sidemen Sunday episode, the song’s origin story is as unconventional as the group itself, crafted by splitting into teams to concoct original Christmas tracks.

This particular entry leans fully into the farcical, balancing tongue-in-cheek lyrics with a festive backdrop that speaks less to Mariah Carey and more to a rowdy holiday office party.

S-X, a producer with a pedigree that includes work alongside names like Lil Wayne and KSI, manages to anchor the track musically, preventing it from sliding completely off the rails.

That said, the production doesn’t aim for timelessness—it’s a snapshot of a singular, irreverent moment.

While the song sidesteps official metrics like charts or award nods, it found its own digital success, racking up millions of YouTube plays.

This isn’t a track built for longevity, but for quick laughs, packaged perfectly for their audience.

A festive gag, more wrapping paper than present, but one that delivers all the same.

Featured on the 2020 album “The Gift”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

11 . Stormzy – Audacity (w/ Headie One)

“Audacity” lands like a sharp-edged confrontation, pairing Stormzy’s assertive lyrics with Headie One’s unmistakable drill cadence.

Released on December 11, 2019, the track occupies the fifth slot in Stormzy’s “Heavy Is the Head” album, seamlessly embodying the tension and grit of the UK rap scene.

There’s a calculated defiance woven into the Fraser T. Smith and TSB production, its bass-heavy beats serving as scaffolding for Stormzy’s pointed commentary.

Headie One’s contribution amplifies the raw energy, adding texture to the track’s thematic exploration of ambition and loyalty, all delivered with a swagger that borders on taunt.

The visuals match the intensity, with a towering metaphor of Stormzy perched atop a crane—an image that feels as precarious as it is commanding.

Critical reception may have zeroed in on its combative tone, but the public’s response pushed the song to peak at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.

An emblem of confidence and resilience, it reflects both artists’ refusal to shy away from vulnerability masked as power.

While not a direct recipient of accolades, “Audacity” marked a key moment in Stormzy’s momentum heading into his Glastonbury triumph, contextualizing his balance of introspection and bravado.

This is not just collaboration for the sake of sonic variety—it’s calculated synergy, an exchange of ideas that keeps them firmly rooted in their respective lanes while expanding the scope of UK hip-hop.

Featured on the 2019 album “Heavy Is the Head”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site

12 . Cardi B – Bartier Cardi (w/ 21 Savage)

Released on December 22, 2017, “Bartier Cardi” spotlights Cardi B at a crossroads of meteoric fame and unflinching swagger.

The track nestles comfortably within her debut album, “Invasion of Privacy,” and leans heavily on its thudding beats courtesy of producers 30 Roc and Cheeze Beatz.

Featuring Atlanta heavyweight 21 Savage, the collaboration brings a contrast in flows, with Cardi flexing rapid-fire bombs of luxury and ambition while 21 provides his signature monotone cool.

Charting at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song carried the kind of bravado that resonated on both the radio and TikTok, where online challenges gave it additional legs during its peak.

Its bold hooks and opulent imagery aren’t subtle—Carats, Lamborghinis, and outright flexing take center stage as Cardi revels in newfound wealth and ascendant power.

The Petra Collins-directed video continues this visual feast, pairing high fashion with gritty street vibes in a package that’s unapologetically over the top.

Performed on “Saturday Night Live,” the track took on added significance as the moment Cardi revealed her pregnancy—a rare injection of warmth into a pop made glossy by all the bling and bravado.

Perhaps it’s overly polished or lacks the grit of her earlier projects, but it’s impossible to deny “Bartier Cardi” is a marker of an artist surging in confidence and control of her craft.

Featured on the 2018 album “Invasion of Privacy”.

Lyrics >> More by the same : Official Site