Hype williams music videos

On Sunday, Megan Thee Stallion announced Fever: Thee Movie. It appears to be inspired by the blaxploitation action films from the 1970s, which inspired the treatment of her most recent video, “Realer.” The brief clip includes appearances from Fever collaborators DaBaby and Juicy J, but it’s a proclamation that appears toward the end that has left fans anxiously waiting for more details: “A Hype Williams Film.”

Hype Williams has been translating rap cuts into vivid visuals since the 90s. Since his debut in 1994 with Wu-Tang Clan’s “Can It Be All So Simple,” the Queens director has lent his genius to everyone from Missy Elliott to Beyoncé. Williams has had a hand in creating larger than life rap personas, and when it comes to hip-hop’s music videos, Hype Williams doesn’t follow trends—he defines them. He brought avant-garde filmmaking techniques to rap videos, like the fisheye distortion that was his signature in the 90s, and split-screen formats he popularized in the early aughts. It’s hard to imagine Tierra Whack’svisual trickery, for example, without the foundation Hype Williams laid.

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Hype has slowed down a bit since his heyday, but he’s still made some memorable videos like Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat,” Kanye West’s “Diamonds from Sierra Leone,” and Beyoncé’s “Check on It” and “Blow.” So in preparation for Fever: Thee Movie “coming soon,” here are 10 of the director’s most memorable music videos from the 90s to show that after 25 years, Hype Williams is in rap’s DNA.

The Notorious B.I.G – “Mo Money, Mo Problem” (1997)

“Mo Money, Mo Problems” starts in an unlikely setting: a golf course with Puff Daddy winning a tournament, months after Tiger Woods’ first major victory at the 61st Masters Tournament. Puff credits his success t

Before social media and streaming services took over how we consume music, music videos were a highlight of an artists work. These videos put faces on the artists and told stories in a way that audio couldn’t do. The feeling of racing to our TVs (or later, our computers) and tuning in to the hottest, new videos is an experience all hip-hop fans can relate to.

These visuals would be nothing without a director at the helm and there have been many who have contributed to the growth of hip-hop within the music video format. But there was no MTV fixture as groundbreaking and influential as the visionary known as Harold “Hype” Williams.

Hype Williams began his journey as a graffiti artist in New York City before studying film at Adelphi University and working with Classic Concept Productions in the ’80s. After starting his film company, Filmmakers With Attitude, Hype got his breakthrough moment with his first major video in 1994 with the Wu-Tang Clan‘s “Can It Be All So Simple.” With his trademark fisheye lens style and use of aerial and tracking shots, Hype turned the mid-to-late-’90s into his playground.

In a short amount of time, the kid from Hollis, Queens became one of the most in-demand directors in the music business. To go along with his star-studded clientele (Jay-Z, Beyoncé, DMX, Ja Rule), Hype pushed music videos beyond their limits to a point where the creative possibilities were endless. He even flirted with Hollywood for a bit with his first and only feature film Belly, starring Nas and DMX. 

Today’s generation of hip-hop fans may not be familiar with the legendary Hype Williams. Since 2016, Hype has only directed six videos — a sharp contrast from the 10-plus visuals he directed every year between 1994 and 2011. Fortunately, hip-hop h

11. Busta Rhymes - “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” (1997) 

10. Jay-Z - “Big Pimpin” Ft. UGK (1999)

First of all I have to say thank you, not only to the illustrious people at Complex for making all of this possible, but also to all of the people who I’ve had the great honor to work for and with over all of these years. It’s a humbling reality to say the least to have been doing anything consistently for 30 years, yet here I am. Still going.

The majority of my life’s work has revolved around the marriage of music and visuals. When I was asked to give my “top 10” favorite music videos of all time, I hesitated. Had to think about that concept for a second. In the past it may have been easy to do, but now I don’t look at these films as just music videos—more like moments in time that I got to share with many great artists, musicians, family, and friends.

So with that said, here are some of my fondest memories (none of which should ever be categorized or placed in any kind of particular order). Just paintings hanging up on a wall, made collectively by groups of filmmakers and artists dedicated to their craft. To me these should be looked at with love as experiences we all got to share together while “growing up” (visual music).