Hip-Hop & Soul N°410 – 2010s Music Videos
How well do you know the music of
Nicki Minaj’s “Stupid Hoe” shines with chaotic, stripped-down beats and divisive energy, featuring rapid-fire lyrics and a theatrical music video by Hype Williams. Its biting tone, speculated as a jab at Lil’ Kim, polarized audiences, while the track peaked modestly at No. 59 on Billboard but broke Vevo’s 24-hour views record. Similarly, J. Cole’s “Middle Child” balances introspection and industry critique, highlighting his role bridging hip-hop generations. Produced by T-Minus, it became his highest-charting single at No. 4 on Billboard and earned 3× Platinum certification, blending personal reflection with a polished yet familiar sound.
Chris Brown’s “Yeah 3x” injects club-ready energy with its electro dance-pop sound, charting globally and going quintuple platinum in Australia despite plagiarism disputes with Calvin Harris. Meanwhile, AJ Tracey’s “Psych Out!” trades gritty bars for melodic finesse, achieving a No. 18 peak in the UK charts but leaning towards polish over rawness. Migos’ “Walk It Talk It,” featuring Drake, thrives on repetition, supported by a retro “Soul Train”-inspired video, peaking at No. 10 on Billboard and earning a 6× Platinum certification. Blueface’s “Thotiana,” backed by viral remixes, ascended to No. 8 on Billboard, though its sparse production and offbeat flow rendered it more fleeting cultural moment than rap cornerstone.
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