This video is a clever spoof on The Beatles' legendary appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show back in 1964, only this time around, Outkast face-man Andre 3000 plays eight different versions of himself in colorful costumes on a colorful set. All this clever innovation won the video four awards at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards for Video of the Year, Best Hip-Hop Video, Best Special Effects and Best Art Direction.
This video is a wild and crazy parody of the TV shows Star Trek and Rock Of Love and features cameos by Dr. Dre and 50 Cent along with caricatures of Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears. The effort was recognized with an award for Best Hip-Hop Video at 2009's MTV Video Music Awards.
Winner of the 2001 MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video, Ms. Jackson is another timeless classic hip-hop video. Set in the deep South, this video features an animal cast of head-bobbing owls, cats and dogs alongside some unfolding baby-momma drama.
The dancing in this video is so high energy, it aptly reflects the title of the track, "Lose Control." Just as impressive is the range of different sets and costumes used throughout the video. It's no surprise then that this video won MTV Video Music Awards for Best Hip-Hop Video and Best Dance Video in 2005.
This is an elegant piece in all black-and-white shot in downtown Chicago with interesting effects that add artistic flare. Appearances by Kanye's label-mate, Common, and footage of Chris Martin on the piano make this one a simply brilliant piece. Although it did not win an MTV VMA, it was nominated for Best Hip-Hop Video in 2008.
Kanye West offers up even more eye candy with this animated piece. "Heartless" uses a very unique form of animation called rotoscoping, where each frame of regular live-action video is traced and colored. The result is vivid colors blending with live action video.
Missy Elliot shows off her dancing prowess once again in this video, complete with apocalyptic playground scene and turntable honeybees. And of course there's plenty of Missy's intense attitude throughout, enough to earn this video not only MTV's Best Hip-Hop Video, but also best overall Music Video of the Year in 2003.
Common's music is deep and dramatic, just like this video. The video watches like a courtroom drama, because it is one. And the tension is palpable, the emotions real. That's why it was nominated for Best Hip-Hop Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards.
This is another dramatic video that would be fit for the big screen if it was just about an hour longer. What makes it even better is the theme of the song which calls out all of the cookie-cutter, unimaginative hip-hop being released by Jay-Z's contemporaries. It was nominated for an MTV VMA for Best Hip-Hop Video in 2009.
Think Reno 911 set back in the 1970s. The Beastie Boys capture their edgy humor and ability to laugh at themselves with this fun video that looks like an old cop action TV show. The Beastie Boys have always been innovators, and this video, released back in 1994, is no exception.