Music Video
Music videos have played a pivotal role in shaping hip-hop culture since the early 1980s, with groundbreaking works like Run-DMC’s “Walk This Way” (1986), directed by Jon Small, which helped bring rap to MTV’s mainstream audience. The launch of MTV in 1981 marked a turning point, but it was the innovative visual storytelling in videos such as Missy Elliott’s “Work It” (2002), co-directed by Missy Elliott and Dave Meyers, that pushed the boundaries of the medium. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” (1983), directed by John Landis, set a high bar with its cinematic approach, influencing countless artists across genres to use music videos as a platform for narrative and style. With the rise of YouTube in 2005, artists like Kendrick Lamar leveraged the platform to release videos such as “Humble” (2017), directed by Dave Meyers, which amassed hundreds of millions of views and won multiple MTV Video Music Awards. Beyoncé’s visual album *Lemonade* (2016) combined music, film, and social commentary, directed by a team including Melina Matsoukas, further redefining the format’s cultural impact. Complex’s coverage highlights directors like Hype Williams and Director X, who have crafted iconic visuals for artists like Missy Elliott and Drake, while analyzing how music videos continue to influence fashion, storytelling, and hip-hop’s visual language.
Latest Stories
Shaboozey’s 'Cowgirl' Video Turns Ciara Miller into a Vengeful Western Heroine
The breakout Bravo star saddles up as revenge-seeking Cherie Lee in Shaboozey’s Western universe ahead of his concept album and Outlaws Never Die Tour.
Drake's 'Iceman' Visual Onslaught: Watch Official Videos for "Janice STFU," "Ran to Atlanta," More
Drizzy fans are eating good in 2026.
mgk and Wiz Khalifa Celebrate Tattoos in “everything tatted” Video Ahead of Collaborative Mixtape
The duo are set to drop their collaborative mixtape, ‘blog era boyz,’ on Friday.
Drake on Death-Defying “B’s On the Table” Video: ‘I Was Gonna Throw Up’
The 'Iceman' artist said he "wanted to throw up" after filming inside the CN Tower.
Big Machine Rock's David Gebbia Is Reviving the Music Video Era With Ryan Perdz's 'Heavy Eyes'
While the rest of the industry scales back on music videos, Gebbia Media is making the case that fans still want them.
Fatima Robinson Calls Michael Jackson's “Remember the Time” a Career 'Turning Point'
The "Remember the Time" co-choreographer shares her birthday with the late King of Pop.
MGK and Wiz Khalifa Reunite for ‘Girl Next Door’ and Tease Blog Era Comeback
The longtime collaborators reunited for their first joint single in more than a decade.
Vince Staples Goes First-Person Shooter in New "Blackberry Marmalade" Video
The disturbing video ends with a quote from MLK's "Letter from Birmingham Jail."
MGK and Fred Durst Drop Nu-Metal Collaboration “Fix Ur Face”
Machine Gun Kelly taps into a heavier sound alongside the Limp Bizkit frontman.
21 Savage Teams Up With Young Nudy For the Lo-Fi "Stepbrothers" Video
The Gabriel Moses-directed video for the 'What Happened to the Streets?' highlight has arrived.
Jungkook’s “Seven” Becomes His First Solo Music Video to Hit 600 Million Views
The BTS star reaches a new solo milestone with his breakout hit featuring Latto.
Jack Harlow's Hat In "Say Hello" Music Video Gets Social Media Talking
"I have never seen a hat like this in all my natural life."
Clint419 Directs Brent Faiyaz’s “four seasons” Video
The Corteiz founder steps behind the camera for a sleek, luxury-driven visual from Brent Faiyaz’s ICON era.
Yeat Drops "Naked" Video Where He's Rapping on Ice Spice's Body
The video was also directed by the rapper, under his birth name Noah Olivier Smith.
Bianca Censori Talks Directing Kanye West’s "Father" Video: 'Spatial Logic Is Distorted’
In a quote provided to Complex, Censori said that she wanted to depict a church as "a surreal dreamlike environment."
Michael Jackson Impersonator Fabio Confirms It’s Him in Kanye West's “Father” Music Video
The Bianca Censori-directed music video dropped on Saturday.
Coco Jones Drops New Video for ‘LUVAGIRL,’ Her First Studio Track of 2026
Coco Jones isn't just an R&B star; she’s the new standard for vocal excellence and intentional artistry.
Kanye West Drops ‘Bully’ Album, Shares Bianca Censori-Directed Video for "Father" f/ Travis Scott
It's finally out.