The Internet is a beautiful thing. From the same device that allows you to view this list, you can peruse every music video ever made. That’s more than you can say for the music channels on basic cable TV.
When they aren’t inundating you with reality programming, most cable channels are too shook to show provocative music videos for fear of offending sponsors. Thanks to the Internet, you can view these 14 videos banned by BET and MTV whenever you want.
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Photo: Aftermath/Interscope
Ross “Hold Me Back”
BET temporarily banned Rick Ross’ 2012 clip without any sort of explanation before ultimately relenting and airing the video.
Nelly “Tip Drill”
Considering that the extended version of “Tip Drill” was basically softcore porn, one could understand BET’s decision to ban it. The fact that the network initially played the video repeatedly on their Uncut program before succumbing to outside pressure was typical.
Kanye West “Monster”
Technically, MTV didn’t ban Kanye West’s “Monster.” They requested specific edits, and when Kanye refused, he had a viral video and a soapbox to stand upon.
photo: WENN
Public Enemy “By The Time I Get To Arizona”
This is arguably the greatest Hip-Hop video ever. Simulating assassinating politicians that refuse to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day might get you banned from MTV though.
Game “RED Nation”
Under a rather obvious red tint, Game, Lil Wayne, and Birdman throw up the “B” hand sign universally recognized by members of the Bloods street gang. Perhaps they should’ve been more covert with the banging on wax if they expected this to get played.
photo: WENN
M.I.A. “Sunshowers”
For the most part, M.I.A.’s video didn’t need any censorship. But when she refused to edit a lyric that shouted out the Palestine Liberation Organization, MTV called her bluff by refusing to air the video.
Nicki Minaj “Stupid Hoe”
BET wasn’t really in a position to take the moral high ground. But when a video features naked butts, 52 mentions of the word “hoe,” and 10 f-bombs, there’s not much of a choice.
The Pack “Vans”
If Lil B and the rest of The Pack didn’t get paid to make this song, they should have. Needless to say, most networks weren’t feeling the free advertisement for one of California’s classic shoe and apparel brands.
Eminem “White America”
It a brief explanation, NBC described “White America” as a “graphic indictment of the middle America.” In layman’s terms, that means it simulates police brutality and Eminem being hanged in effigy.
Ciara “Ride”
In hindsight, this wasn’t nearly as risqué as “Body Party” or “Can’t Leave ‘Em Alone.” But Ciara popping, rolling, twerking, and riding a mechanical bull in scant clothing was too much for BET’s chaste airwaves.
Mistah F.A.B. “Ghost Ride It”
It turns out that people dying from attempting to “Ghost Ride” their whips in real life will get your video banned.
The-Dream “P***Y”
Let’s not pretend Dream, Pusha-T, and Big Sean were ever going to get this on a video channel. They basically paid a stripper to reenact her usual Saturday night routine in an empty apartment.
Brian McKnight “Let Me Show You How Your P***y Works”
This was meant to be funny.
Teiarra Mari “Sponsor”
Plenty of THOTs want a man of means to rescue them, and both sexes sing about the positives and negatives of metaphorically donning a cape for a woman in financial need. But Soulja Boy and Teairra Mari were over the top here.
