The 50 Best Music Video Moments Of 2013
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Artist: Drake
Song: "Worst Behaviour"
We’ve heard Drake rap about his pops in songs like “Look What You’ve Done,” but in the opening scenes of this Director X-driven video, we got a closer look at a pimp (metaphorically) named Dennis Graham.
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Artist: Kanye West
Song: "Bound 2"
This intimate image is so instantly classic that Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi recreated it. So did James Franco and Seth Rogen. We'll #NeverForget this scene from the Nick Knight-directed reel.
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Artist: Miley Cyrus
Song: "Wrecking Balls"
Miley Cyrus swinging on a wrecking ball in her birthday suit led to more than few confused expressions.
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Artist: Beyonce
Song: "Bow Down"
It was a less than 30-second clip, and still no full-version release, but frenzy ensued once Beyonce appeared in a sparkly costume and a grill on YouTube for this Hit-Boy-produced number.
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Artist: Ciara
Song: "Body Party"
This musical break within the song provided an insight as to how the recently engaged couple met.
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Artist(s): J. Cole Feat. TLC
Song: "Crooked Smile"
After gaining inspiration from Fruitvale Station, J. Cole made a moving video tribute to Aiyana Stanley-Jones, a 7-year-old girl who was shot and killed during a police raid in Detroit.
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Artist(s): Jay Z Feat. Justin Timberlake
Song: "Holy Grail"
Symbols and strange imagery plastered Jigga’s visuals for “Holy Grail,” including this one of JT sitting at a table fit for a king, overlooking a group of bodies covered in sheets.
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Artist: Katy Perry
Song: "Unconditionally"
Katy Perry's regal appearance is a thing to behold.
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Artist: M.I.A.
Song: "Y.A.L.A."
Visual effects and infrared hues kept our eyes glued to the screen.
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Artist: 2 Chainz
Song: “Used 2”
2 Chainz paid homage to the origins of this bounce instrumental when he traveled to New Orleans and shot the video for “Used 2.” He also hosted a mini-reunion of the Hot Boyz, capturing Lil’ Wayne, Turk and Juvenile in the frame while Chainz rocked a “FREE B.G.” tee next to Mannie Fresh.
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Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Song: "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe"
The all-white funeral symbolized the death of molly references in hip-hop. Powerful.
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Artist(s): Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert
Song: "Same Love"
The hip-hop duo’s depiction of same-sex love symbolized a new step in advocating for LGBT rights.
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Artist(s): J. Cole Feat. Miguel
Song: "Power Trip"
The Born Sinner rapper commits a deadly act when his envy of Miguel gets the best of him.
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Artist: Drake
Song: "Started From The Bottom"
You know you’ve made it when you get your own billboard in your hometown.
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Artist(s): Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton
Song: "Can't Hold Us"
From land to sky, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis traveled by every mode of transportation to reach the Space Needle in their hometown of Seattle and flew “The Heist” flag high for all to see.
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Artist(s): Wale feat. French Montana
Song: "Back 2 Ballin"
Sega Genesis erstwhile users rejoiced when Wale and French Montana took viewers back to their childhood days.
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Artist: Audio Push
Song: "Shine"
Their imitation of Smokey and Craig in the classic movie Friday was nostalgic and comedic.
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Artist: Danny Brown
Song: "Dip"
What can these little star imprinted candies represent?
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Artist: Kanye West
Song: "Black Skinhead"
The KKK hats and Kanye's diesel video game like visage in this Nick Knight-directed video sparked controversy once the video was released, officially and unofficially.
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Artist: Jay Z
Song: "Picasso Baby"
In his most artistic concept yet, Hov stands forehead to forehead with art connoisseur Marina Abramovi?.
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Artist: Chance The Rapper
Song: "Everybody's Something"
Religious instances were caught in Chance The Rapper’s silhouette.
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Artist: Joey Bada$$
Song: "My Yout"
The Brooklyn native met his grandfather for the first time when he traveled to St. Lucia to shoot this clip.
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Artist(s): Robin Thicke Feat. 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar
Song: "Give It 2 U"
The Alabama State’s Stingettes turned up the ante in this Diane Martel-directed video.
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Artist: Tyler, the Creator
Song: "IFHY"
Tyler and his love interest transformed into dolls that probably took hours of makeup to appear so realistic.
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Artist: Chris Brown
Song: "Fine China"
Breezy danced his way into the future on this high-energy melody.
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Artist(s): Jhene Aiko Feat. Childish Gambino
Song: "Bed Peace"
Their sit-in reenactment took its cues from John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s bed-ins for peace in the '70s.
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Artist(s): Marsha Ambrosius feat. Ne-Yo
Song: "Without You"
Child molestation was depicted in the English songbird’s music video, showing Marsha reflecting on those troubling times in the visual.
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Artist(s): Janelle Monae Feat. Erykah Badu
Song: "Q.U.E.E.N."
The eccentric pair looks powerful and royal even when standing stoically.
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Artist(s): Ariana Grande feat. Mac Miller
Song: "The Way”
Was that kissed planned or just going with the flow?
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Artist(s): Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell
Song: "Blurred Lines"
T.I. showing off his two-step skills is both replay and gif-worthy.
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Artist(s): Janelle Monae Feat. Miguel
Song: "Primetime"
Miguel’s on-screen chemistry with the Kansas City native looked like innocent fun.
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Artist: Katy Perry
Song: "Roar"
Swinging from a vine, Katy Perry took her video production to new heights.
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Artist(s): Lady Gaga feat. R. Kelly
Song: "Do What U Want"
Lady Gaga straddling the Black Panties artist overshadows all the previous performances of Mother Monster’s track.
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Artist(s): Lupe Fiasco Feat. Ed Sheeran
Song: "Old School Love"
Who would’ve seen a collaboration between Lupe Fiasco and Ed Sheeran coming?
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Artist: Rihanna
Song: "What Now"
This emotional shot was a big switch-up from her previous video for “Pour It Up.”
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Artist: Ariana Grande
Song: "Baby I"
Bubbly expressions, a feel-good melody - this shot sums up the entire video.
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Artist: Miley Cyrus
Song: "We Can't Stop"
What helped catapult the twerking sensation into mainstream media, this shot of the “Wrecking Ball” singer and her gyrating teddy bears became synonymous with Cyrus’ bold transformation.
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Artist: Lady Gaga
Song: "Applause"
This high-energy dance number added to Gaga’s portfolio of choreographed routines.
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Artist: Solange
Song: "Losing You"
The Houston native is known for her quirky yet envious fashion ensembles, but the “Bad Girls” singer placed the spotlight on the Les Sapeurs, a revered fashion society in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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Artist(s): Ciara feat. Nicki Minaj
Song: "I'm Out"
This collaboration was a first for the pair and turned out to be a smash single.
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Artist: Pusha T
Song: "Numbers On The Boards"
Yes, the scenic Parisian backdrop was nice to view along with Pusha T’s silhouette, but what stood out the most was Chief Keef’s quick cameo.
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Artist(s): A$AP Rocky & Skrillex
Song: "Wild For The Night"
The Dominican Republic served as the destination spot, highlighting the wildest moment of the pair’s trip to be their performance on stage.
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Artist: Lorde
Song: "Royals"
Lorde’s fresh face and emotionless expression sums up the minimality yet message-heavy video for her chart-topping hit.
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Artist: Justin Timberlake
Song: "TKO"
Who knew that getting dragged on a rugged road looked so painless.
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Comedian Kevin Hart
Song: "Frost Without You"
The actor/comedian showcased his singing talents in this spoof of Robin Thicke’s “Lost Without You.”
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Artist: Lana Del Rey
Song: "Tropico"
The 30-minute short film was full of imagery and controversy at its finest. With Anthony Mandler behind the lens, the shots lured in viewers, but none quite like Lana Del Rey playing Eve and her love interest assuming the role of Adam in the Garden of Eden.
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Artist: Solange
Song: "Lovers In The Parking Lot"
Bun B’s two-step in sync with Solange’s moves was one of the many highlights in this video, not to mention Mannie Fresh’s guest appearance as well.
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Artist: Rihanna
Song: "Pour It Up"
The Bajan singer was taught a few moves around the pole while on set for her “Pour It Up” video, but nothing quite like this one.
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Artist(s): Mike WiLL Made It Feat. Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J
Song:"23"
This crew of artists compiled another “banger" while all adorning their Air Jordans.
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