Image via Complex Original
6.
There’s been a resurgence in the art of the rap music video. Instead of just always showcasing flashy cars, piles of cash, and gyrating women, more and more rappers are starting to take a rather unique and abstract approach to music videos that is reflective of their own individual tastes and the messages that they want to send. But at the same time, you can't deny the fact that the underlying theme of comedy has always been a go-to strategy for rap music videos—whether it’s in the form of sarcasm, cynicism, or just good ol’ fashioned slapstick.
Even dating back to the late-'80s, early-'90s, with videos like DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince’s “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back,” some rap videos were made for one reason, and one reason only—to make the viewer laugh. Needless to say, they work. Inspired by the new Chris Rock film, Top Five, we decided to dive back into the archives to dig out five additional rap videos that will make you laugh and will go down as some of the funniest ever made.
5.Kanye West “The New Workout Plan”
A smart, satirical take on the gender binary, where women are objectified for their bodies and men are valued for their money, this video shows how women can get in shape and capture the attention of rappers, NBA players, and men who, generally speaking, own cars. Workouts include the Gucci-climber, weave-walk, and others. This was a different time for Kanye, when he was all smiles, popped collars, and khakis, topped with a dose of social commentary.
4.Ludacris f/ Shawnna “Stand Up”
Ludacris wears a giant shoe. Ludacris drinks from a giant beer. Ludacris becomes a baby. Ludacris, as a baby, pees everywhere. These are all things that happen in this video. Luda also exchanges a kiss that causes the recipient's derriere to grow to enormous proportions. Like others on this list, there are a ton of celebrity cameos: 2 Chainz, Katt Williams, and Tyra Banks, among others.
3.Eminem “The Real Slim Shady”
In this carnival of the absurd, Eminem performs at a psychiatric hospital, a Detroit park, a fast-food joint, the Grammy Awards, and in a factory that’s dispensing innumerable Eminem clones. It harkens back to a time when names like Fred Durst and Carson Daly were relevant and featured cameos from Dr. Dre, Kathy Griffin, and a couple of Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee look-alikes.
2.Drake f/ Lil Wayne “HYFR”
Another gem from the legendary Director X, this video, filmed in Miami’s Temple Israel, captures Drake celebrating his re-Bar Mitzvah. Also in attendance are Lil Wayne, Birdman, DJ Khaled, Mack Maine, and others. The video jumps back and forth between inside the temple, the party afterward, and Drake & Co. turning up outside. For an inexplicable reason, Lil Wayne wears a panda ski mask. There’s a lot of drinking, old men dancing, and general happy Drake-ness. It’s not as funny as that video of Drake playing basketball, but it’s pretty close.
1.Redman “I’ll Bee Dat”
Through this video, a journey through the TV dial, we learn many things about Redman. Like the fact that he’s got a great Billy Blanks impression—which includes an impressive high kick—and that he’s at least had a passing thought about marketing a very disgusting Redman-branded cola, as well as a heavily sugared, cavity-inducing cereal. The video breaks down into a series of vignettes, each of which are hilarious, including a scene in which Redman drives a cab through Queens with an elderly couple screaming in the back.