Best Music Videos Of The Week: MAVI, Phife Dawg, AZ & More
The best videos of the week include selections from Serena Isioma, María Isabel, Baby Keem, and more.
Friday has finally arrived, so that means we’ve returned to unveil our favorite music video selects of the week.
The first arrival that captured our attention this week is no other than MAVI, a rapper from Charlotte, NC. The clip for the Tony Seltzer produced single “WYD” is simple but it gets the job done, in it, he divulges his innermost thoughts on being in the industry. There are no montages, there are no photographs, there are no video girls. The video focuses on his wordplay which is honestly the most compelling part of the visual.
Up next is Chlöe’s “Have Mercy” visual. The treatment clearly was approved by Bey. But, outside of that, it makes a compelling case for millennial Black women who are in control of their agency thanks to the pop and soul icons of the past. The singer/songwriter/producer walks viewers through a fantasy world jam-packed with covetable fashion looks. But, she also manages to share her knack for acting, dancing, and putting on a show. It’s kind of a f*** you to her naysayers and that’s what makes the clip delicious.
Maxo Cream x Tyler, The Creator’s collab “Big Persona” hit our Twitter timelines earlier this week. It’s a braggadocious single and the video is a fun watch. Tyler, The Creator shares aggressive chops and Maxo Cream does the same. There’s not much happening beyond the duo sharing a few moments in a luxury truck (we’re assuming it’s a Rolls Royce), and that’s fine because the track does exactly what it needs to do.
Baby Keem who is not signed to TDE like many might assume also dropped off a clip today. At midnight he unleashed “Issues” off of his new album The Melodic Blue. It’s a melancholy visual, but it’s also a bit like a short story. He’s not rapping as many rap artists do in videos, instead, he rides a bike and walks to a door in the middle of a desert. Then, he actually doesn’t open the door, he proceeds to walk away. The video doesn’t make sense, but we reckon we weren’t supposed to understand anything.
More videos from Phife Dawg, AZ, Serena Isioma, Jordan Ward and a few others also round out this week's selects.