Kanye West’s visions will be honored at the MTV Video Music Awards this Sunday (Aug. 30) as the recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award. Before the red carpet rolls out and moonmen strut into L.A.’s Microsoft Theater, dust off these heartpounding visuals from solo dolo Kanye (meaning No Watch The Throne or G.O.O.D. Music collabos) below.
“Runaway”
The deep and dark visual for Kanye West’s “Runaway” didn’t just prove that Selita Ebanks can still slay in feathers but just how far the rapper’s creative eye can see.
Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
“Stronger”
With Daft Punk in tow, the big budget flick direced by Hype Williams shows Japanese motorcycle gangs, geisha Cassie and an invincible Yeezy.
Album: Graduation (2007)
“The Good Life”
Before Kanye was the leader of G.O.O.D. Music, he was the rapping proponent of a live well lived in this animated feature starring AutoTune Pain.
Album: Graduation (2007)
“Bound 2”
Hate it or love it, Kanye West’s “Bound 2” visual made everyone feel ways. With Windows 95-esque backdrops and a steamy motorcycle ride with wife, Kim Kardashian, the presentation for arguably the best cut on Kanye’s controversial Yeezus LP is forever embedded in the Internet’s memory.
Album: Yeezus (2013)
“Lost In The World” Feat. Bon Iver
Mr. West and his dancers let loose in the Bon Iver-starring clip, which director Ruth Hogben called “energetic.”
Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
“Workout Plan”
This infomercial for Kanye’s workout plan had many ladies sprinting to their nearest Planet Fitness. Also, rest in power, Anna Nicole Smith.
Album: The College Dropout (2004)
“All Of The Lights” Feat. Rihanna & Kid CuDi
Before lyric videos were the appetizers for official visuals, Kanye West tapped Hype Williams for a light show that could rival Vegas. Only knock is zero cameos from other contributors like Elton John, Alicia Keys and John Legend.
Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
“Only One” Feat. Paul McCartney
Daddy ‘Ye brings all the feels with daughter, North West, in this iPhone-shot video by Spike Jonze.
Album: TBD (2015)
“Touch The Sky” Feat. Lupe Fiasco
In all his sideburn glory, Yeezy recruited blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson, permanent bae Nia Long and comedienne goddess, Tracee Ellis Ross (who also pops up in “Workout Plan”) for a seventies blaxploitation flick/ Evil Knievel salute for “Touch The Sky.”
Album: Late Registration (2005)
“Power”
Before ‘Ye crowned himself king, his majestic visual for “Power” was hard to shake off.
Album: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)