Best Music Videos Of The Week, 5/26-6/1

This week saw new video releases from veteran lyricists and highly anticipated up-and-comers. De La Soul gives its take on the state of hip-hop, while Talib Kweli channels his inner Fritz The Cat. At the same time, Vic Mensa brings back Kenan & Kel, and The Dopplegangaz takes a visually arresting sabbatical on the country side.

De La Soul feat. The Spirit Of Wu-Tang - "Get Away"

Although the video features technically arresting visuals, fantastic found footage and exceptionally well done, it's the conceit of the Rubix Cube that makes "Get Away" such a fantastic video. It's De La's thesis on the sagging state of hip-hop, and it's one that's executed marvelously.

Vic Mensa - "Orange Soda"

As XXL stated yesterday in our week In The Cut staff picks series, Vic Mensa's "Orange Soda" has all the makings of becoming a classic summertime jam. The video for the Chi-Town MC channels the song's inherently fun sound, complete with a live band, party atmosphere and an orange soda-filled bong.

Talib Kweli feat. Miguel - "Come Here"

In an usual move by the typically straight-laced Kweli, the Brooklyn rapper's Miguel-assisted single gets a trippy, neon cartoon makeover the song's video. Yet what sets the illustrations of the video apart is the tangible grain that's been added to it in post, giving it an almost Fritz The Cat on acid feel.

Pro Era - "Like Water"

The late Pro Era member Capital STEEZ gets a fitting tribute in the latest visuals from Joey Bada$$'s camp with "Like Water." Described as a "visual stepping stone to what STEEZ lead for the listeners of revolutionary music," the video perfectly straddles the line between an imagistic eulogy for the crew's fallen partner and visual thesis for Pro Era's third eye mentality.

TiRon & Ayomari - "PRTY N BLSHT"

It's a rare occasion to see a modern hip-hop video actually relate to the song which it's expected to represent in this era, but West Coast duo TiRon and Ayomari do exactly that. With a lush backdrop, purposeful camera movements and a deep ensemble of extras, "PRTY N BLSHT" actually manages to translate the pair's cautionary cut into video form.

The Dopplegangaz - "Barbiturates"

Golden Era throwbacks The Dopplegangaz always come through with clean, dope visuals—however, this latest video for this song "Barbiturates" of their album Hark stands out for it's effective use of scenery as a major draw point. At the same time, the use of racked focus and wacky camera movements give the video the "groggy" effect that's become synonymous the the duo.