In 2012, videos just don’t have huge budgets anymore. However, creativity has jumped up a bit and it’s made for some great visuals.
All week long Hip-Hop Wired will be counting down the best of 2012 and today we take a look at some of the best videos of the year. The veteran superstars like Jay-Z, Kanye West, Nas and Lil Wayne all dropped heat on the lens this year.
The young bucks also took their artistry to the next level like Wiz Khalifa, Odd Future, Drake and yes, Trinidad James. Although all of the channels that used to show nothing but music videos are relegated to reality TV, you are now the new producer of your own MTV.
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Because of VEVO, YouTube, WSHH and more; all of the best music videos are right at your fingertips, and today we give you a look back on some of the best. Check out the best videos of 2012 down after the jump.
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Photo: Tumblr
25. Chief Keef – “Love Sosa” (Directed By D. Gaines)
Chief Keef only shows up for his videos if it is in his basement. Gladly, this is the way we like it. 20,000,000 views cant be wrong. Bang bang.
24. Pusha T – “Exodus” (Directed By Samuel Rogers)
Pusha T’s scathing diss record toward the YMCMB camp came complete with this gutter video . It goesto show that you can take the Pusha out the streets but you cant take the streets out of Pusha.
23. Lil Wayne ft. Detail – “No Worries” (Directed By Collin Tilley)
Lil Wayne’s ode to Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas was a trippy fest. If the video doesn’t make much sense to you, you’re a normal guy.
22. Hit-Boy “Jay-Z Interview” (Directed By Jelani Fresh)
Hit-Boy’s lead single off of his debut tape, HITStory, came with this “coming of age” video called “Jay-Z Interview.” “Through The Wire” comparisons aside, this was a slick video about a young kid who made it.
21. Wiz Khalifa ft. The Weeknd – “Remember You” (Directed By Ryan Hope)
Young Khalifa couldn’t pull The Weeknd out of his reclusive state for this video, but it wasn’t needed. The tale of a woman getting pulled into the dark side was memorable.
20. Rick Ross ft. Stalley – “Ten Jesus Pieces” (Directed By DRE Films)
Rick Ross is a viral video machine, but this effort for “Ten Jesus Pieces” took us to church. The Boss reflects in this Dre Films-directed piece.
19. Slaughterhouse – “Goodbye” (Directed By Rik Cordero)
Slaughterhouse’s gut wrenching song “Goodbye” came with an equally sad video that deals with lost life and the angel of death.
18. Odd Future – “Oldie” (Directed By Tyler, The Creator)
It’s a Golf Wang Party on a Terry Richardson photo shoot as this impromptu video shoot broke out. This just looks like all types of fun.
17. Juicy J ft. 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne – “Bandz A Make Her Dance” (Directed By J.R. Saint)
Bands everywhere as dancer, adult film stars, and racks on racks fly during Juicy J’s video.
16. Jay-Z & Kanye West – “N***as In Paris” (Directed By Kanye West)
At long last, The Throne dropped the video for the mega hit song. This kaleidoscope dream (No Miguel) put you smack dab in the middle of The Throne’s finale.
15. Schoolboy Q ft. A$AP Rocky – “Hands On The Wheel” (Directed By Jerome D)
Weed and brews, weed and brews, all you get in this video is weed and brews. And white women.
14. French Montana ft. Drake, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross – “Pop That” (Directed By Parris)
French Montana and his band of merry men make a video that BET Uncut would be proud of. We just want to know where was our invite?
13. 50 Cent ft. Adam Levine and Eminem – “My Life” (Directed By Rich Lee)
50 Cent breaks the bank for his Street King Immortal single. This video takes you back to an era where music videos had insane budgets.
12. Nicki Minaj ft. 2 Chainz – “Beez In Da Trap” (Directed By Benny Boom)
Nicki Minaj had a spotty year, but this sultry ode to the skrippers with 2 Chainz was a memorable visual.
11. 2 Chainz ft. Drake – “No Lie” (Directed By Lil X)
When it was time for 2 Chainz to go for self on his debut album, he grabbed up Drake for a hit single and a slick video. Truuuuu.
10. A$AP Rocky – “Goldie” (Directed By A$AP Rocky)
Young Rakim got behind the lens to drop the first video from his upcoming album, Long.Live. A$AP.
9. Kendrick Lamar – “Swimming Pools” (Directed By Jerome D)
K.Dot tells the story of how alcohol affected his life and those around him in this video off of good kid, m.A.A.d. city.
8. 2 Chainz ft. Kanye West – “Birthday Song” (Directed By Andreas Nilsson)
“Birthday Song” is the rare combination of comedy and s*xy as the cartoonish yet sultry video features a house party gone crazy.
7. Nas – “Daughters” (Directed By Chris Robinson)
Nas’ “Daughters” hit close to home. He tells the story of the struggles of being a single father as well as depicts it in this Chris Robinson-directed film. Nas’ baby girl even makes a cameo at the very end.
6. Action Bronson – “The Symbol” (Directed By Rik Cordero)
“The Symbol” is one of those ridiculous music videos that would be given no justice if you sat and tried to explain it. Just watch.
5. Nas – “Bye Baby” (Directed By Aristotle)
Much like “Daughters,” “Bye Baby” is another song that hit close to home with the rapper breaking down meeting, marrying and divorcing Kelis all in three verses. Astounding.
4. Frank Ocean – “Pyramids” (Directed By NABIL)
Frank Ocean’s one and only video for the Grammy-nominated Channel ORANGE, was this exquisite video for “Pyramids.” Strippers, guns, alcohol and motorcycles. What more would you want in a flick?
3. Drake ft. Lil Wayne – “HYFR” (Directed By Lil X)
Drake invites the entire world to the most bad a** Bar Mitzvah of all time in this VMA-award winning video for “HYFR.”
2. Trinidad James – “All Gold Everything” (Directed By Motion Family)
No one video did more for one artist than anybody has in 2012. Period. This hilariously off the wall video made him a $2,000,000 man, and you are still mad. Just watch.
1. Kanye West, Big Sean, 2 Chainz and Pusha T – “Mercy” (Directed By NABIL)
The G.O.O.D. Music crew swerved all over 2012 and it was kicked off with this awesome video for “Mercy.”
