10 of the Best JAY-Z Music Videos
To be clear… I don’t like every music video by JAY-Z.
While Busta Rhymes is probably the king of Music Videos. JAY-Z is no slouch either. I’m especially impressed with some of the cameos he’s had. Let’s all take some time to acknowledge 10 times JAY-Z knocked it out of the park music video wise.
Music Video/Rank:
#10- “I Just Wanna Love U (Give it 2 Me)” (ft. Pharrell Williams & Omilio Sparks)
Best Cameos:
Lil Kim & John Witherspoon
Why Though:
As we go on this journey together, I think you’ll notice that there is a maturity to JAY-Z videos that doesn’t show up till later. Given that this is an earlier video there is a lot to groan at in here, but the overall fun that comes across can’t be ignored. The appearance of Lil Kim is just fun since I never really consider her a Roc-a-Fella affiliate, and who doesn’t love John Witherspoon doing this thing?
Music Video/Rank:
#9- “Dirt off Your Shoulder/PSA”
Best Cameos:
Beyoncé
Why Though:
While I appreciated the imagery of Hov taking over a radio station and essentially taking over the town. It’s when the video shifts to the PSA section and we even get to see Beyoncé wearing JAY-Z’s chain. That portion of the video affected me to the point that I often forget that the video isn’t actually for PSA.
Music Video/Rank:
#8- “Izzo/Hola Hovito”
Best Cameos:
Outkast, Eve, and (I’m pretty sure) Beanie Man
Why Though:
The Blueprint is the album that made me decide that I didn’t just really like JAY-Z, but that I considered him the best rapper alive! So I really appreciated the fact that other artists I respected were in the video not just nodding their heads but reciting Hov’s lyrics! I also really like the Hola Hovito beat. I’m a big fan of JAY-Z and Timbaland working together.
Music Video/Rank:
#7- “Moonlight”
Best Cameos:
The whole cast but especially Issa Rae and Hannibal Buress
Why Though:
I never really got into Friends so I had to ask Pauline if the recreation of Friends that takes up the majority of this video was shot for shot. Turns out it was. That’s dope. I also appreciated how it all connected to this song’s commentary on Moonlight vs. La La Land and the greater conversation about black people creating art that is deemed “worthy” by white people. Also Issa Rae is in it and Hannibal breaks things up and steals the show like he’s known to do!
Music Video/Rank:
#6- “Family Feud” (ft. Beyoncé)
Best Cameos:
Constance Wu, Thandie Newton, Brie Larson
Why Though:
There are a lot of great cameos in this Ava DuVernay directed video. But I really like the idea of having Constance Wu, one of the best reasons to watch Fresh off the Boat, Thandie Newton… like the only reason to watch Westworld, and Brie Larson being a part of a JAY-Z video. I mean all of that before we even get to the great Blu Ivy and her parents killing it for the actual portion with the song!
Music Video/Rank:
#5- “Girls, Girls, Girls” (ft. Biz Markie/Q-Tip/Slick Rick)
Best Cameos:
Carmen Elektra & Tamala Jones
Why Though:
I don’t even really like this song that much, but man is a great video. I definitely like this song more because of the creativity put into the video. The vignettes actually playing out Jay’s lyrics is different from most JAY-Z videos.
Music Video/Rank:
#4- “Apeshit” (ft. The Migos)
Best Cameos:
The whole Lourvre I guess…
Why Though:
Good for the Carters. This video really does look like a piece of moving art. Not just because it’s set in one of the most famous museums, but because of what the Carters bring into the museum in terms of dancers and how they’re dressed. Again there’s the added layer of black people creating art that may not be properly appreciated. I will say though, I’m glad The Migos don’t actually show up if I’m keeping it 100.
Music Video/Rank:
#3- “Roc Boys/Hello Brooklyn” (ft. Kanye West/Beyoncé/Cassie) & (ft. Lil Wayne)
Best Cameos:
It was nice seeing Nas and everyone else but the award goes to JAY-Z’s actual nephew playing young Jigga
Why Though:
Another instance of the creativity being turned up another notch for JAY-Z. The video starts with “Hello Brooklyn” and features a young JAY-Z on the come up and then transitions into THE BEST Hitmen beat I’ve ever heard and features amazing cameo after amazing cameo as present day JAY-Z enjoys the fruits of his labour. Only the video ends with the party being shot up and me genuinely wondering about what will happen next. It’s like JAY-Z really was trying to make a mini movie. I’m all for it.
Music Video/Rank:
#2- “Picasso Baby” (ft. The-Dream)
Best Cameos:
Taraji P. Henson, Michael K. Williams, Alan Cummings
Why Though:
Bruh! NIGHTCRAWLER was in a JAY-Z video. I like that this video is like getting to sit in on an intimate performance. There’s even a section where JAY-Z forgets the words and keeps it moving. I guess I also appreciate all the famous people sitting in awe or singing along. I think this is something different and maybe a bit self congratulatory but some of the best art can be that way sometimes.
Music Video/Rank:
#1- “The Story of O.J.”
Best Cameos:
None needed.
Why Though:
This song was immediately amazing to me when I heard it on JAY-Z’s latest album. The fact that its video is animated and is for one of the most intersting songs on 4:44 I guess is what got it here. Never would I have thought that I’d see a well animated JAY-Z music video about this subject matter. Just watch it.
-YG