10 Best-Looking Hip-Hop Videos – Having a Concept Helps

Though the music video medium isn’t as prolific as it once was, that doesn’t mean that all rap artists have thrown in the towel. Just last week, Eminem and director Joseph Kahn staged a visceral domestic drama for “Love the Way You Lie,” while Kanye West attempted to reinvent the format with his 90-second “portrait” for “Power.” Beneath hip-hop’s surface, though, NYC underground veteran Ill Bill has taken videos to a much more visual place with “Ill Bill TV,” from his upcoming collaboration LP with producer DJ Muggs, Kill Devil Hills (Fat Beats Records, out August 24). In the clip, which features neither Bill or Muggs themselves, guns blaze and overly bright red, fake-looking splatters—it’s pretty hardcore, and completely worth your attention.

Ill Bill & DJ Muggs – “Ill Bill TV”

After watching “Ill Bill TV,” XXL is in that “darkly cinematic” zone. Here are 10 of rap’s most intense narrative-driven music videos. If we’ve overlooked one or more of your favorites, let us know in the comments section. Lights, camera, action.

Cool Breeze feat. OutKast and Goodie Mob "Watch for the Hook”