Logic, Jay-Z, and Taylor Swift lead the charge on the ‘10 Best Music Videos of 2017’ year in review playlist.  Others who are ‘famous’ include Kendrick Lamar, Charli XCX, Dua Lipa, Björk, Young Thug, Camila Cabello, and Tyler, the Creator.

 Ah, another year-end list has been unveiled – one of the final ones at that! This time, we take pick the 10 Best Music Videos of 2017! There were lots of superb visuals that accompanied music that tickled our fancies this year.  While this list could be expanded greatly beyond 10, we’ll keep things limited this round.  Leading the charge on this particular venture are Logic, Jay-Z, and Taylor Swift.

First, what about some honorable mentions who just missed the cut?

Kendrick Lamar, “DNA.”

St. Vincent, “New York”

Katy Perry, “Swish Swish”

1. Logic, “1-800-273-8255” (Ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid)

Album: Everybody

Def Jam, 2017

“1-800-273-8255” has earned numerous no. 1 spots on various lists throughout the course of 2017.  Once again, this meaningful song, centered around suicide prevention, crowns another list.  Why in the context of best music videos?  Within the music video, suicide within the LGBTQ community is central to the narrative.  Specifically, the video focuses on a black gay teen struggling with his sexuality. He contemplates suicide, but gets the proper help, as well as acceptance. Can you say feels?

2. Jay-Z, “The Story of O.J.”

Album: 4:44

Roc Nation, 2017

Jay-Z flat out had one of the most intriguing songs and music videos of 2017 with “The Story of O.J.” In the context of his Grammy-nominated album 4:44, I prefer “4:44” as the best song, but, “The Story of O.J.” packs a bigger punch in regards to its racial and overall social impact.  The music video instantly captures your attention, masterfully illustrating Jay-Z’s rhymes.

3. Taylor Swift, “Look What You Made Me Do”

Album: Reputation

Big Machine, 2017 

“Look What You Made Me Do” was among the most polarizing songs of 2017.  It neither made my ‘best of’ list, nor did it earn a spot on my ‘worst songs’ list (it was strongly considered).  Where this quirky song excels is the music video, where Taylor Swift goes all out making fun of herself and of course, taking shots at her rivals.

4. Kendrick Lamar, “HUMBLE.”

Album: DAMN.

Interscope, 2017

Throughout 2017, “HUMBLE.” has consistently ranked among the best songs of the year.  On our 100 Best Songs of 2017 list, after sitting at no. 1 consistently, it was ranked no. 2 at the end of the year. Likewise, the music video also ranks among the crème de la crème.  It features a little bit of everything: religious imagery (The Last Supper, church), black culture, excess, head bobbing/nodding…

5. Charli XCX, “Boys”

Atlantic, 2017

Women are objectified in music videos in excess, particularly urban music videos.  On “Boys,” UK pop star Charli XCX flips the script, highlighting the handsomeness of men. Expectedly, the eye candy is turned-up, with shirtless appearances by Cameron Dallas and Diplo, not to mention sexy poses courtesy of Joe Jonas, Brendon Urie, Connor Franta, Caspar Lee, Charlie Puth, DRAM, Ezra Koenig, Flume, G-Eazy, Vance Joy – lots and lots of boys. It should be noted, while some of the ‘hottest’ men are featured, Charli XCX does a great job of featuring an assortment of different men, not just the definitive ‘heartthrobs.’

6. Dua Lipa, “New Rules”

Album: Dua Lipa

Warner Music, 2017

“New Rules” was one of the most fun and infectious singles of 2017.  It’s a shame the so many (including myself) were so late on the Dua Lipa train. As catchy as the song is itself, the music video only amplifies the catchiness and fun.  Here, Dua Lipa, with her girls, go through the pitfalls of romance, particularly when the man seems to be in charge.  As they dance and sing, they go through the list of “new rules.”

7. Björk, “The Gate”

Album: Utopia

One Little Indian

Of course, a Björk music video gets some love on our 10 Best Music Videos of 2017.  Given her distinctiveness as a musician, naturally, a music video affiliated with the Icelandic artist is bizarre, creative, and left of center. “The Gate” was already unique as a song, and it gets even more so with a video filled with stunning visuals.  The colors, the costumes – excellent!

8. Young Thug, “Wyclef Jean”

Album: JEFFERY

Atlantic, 2016 

Fittingly, Young Thug has one of the quirkiest videos of 2017.  Why is that fitting? As a rapper, Young Thug is easily one of the most idiosyncratic, odd-ball rappers in recent memory.  He’s very much an acquired tasted, so naturally, the music video should match his personality. The music video for “Wyclef Jean” is quirky and random.

Even with its quirkiness, and the fact that Young Thug doesn’t appear in most it, it’s among the best and most compelling of the year. The rapper shares his visions for the video, while the director treats it as something of a botched effort, including onscreen captions alongside the footage.  Definitely surprising.

9. Camila Cabello, “Havana”

Ft. Young Thug

Album: Camila

Epic, 2018

“Havana” easily earns honors as one of the best songs of 2017. That’s a great sign for Camila Cabello, who got off to a ‘rockier than expected’ start with the so-so “Crying in the Club.” But this isn’t about “Crying in the Club” – it’s all about “Havana.” A great song gets an equally great (if not better) music video. Posed as a telenovela, “Havana” the music video oozes with personality and of course, melodrama.

10. Tyler, the Creator, “Who Dat Boy”

Ft. A$AP Rocky

Album: Flower Boy

Columbia, 2017

2017 was a big year for Tyler, the Creator. He dropped the best album of his career and showcased something few had seen from him in the past – maturity. Flower Boy as a whole is a delight, ranking high on most critic’s 2017 lists (no. 8 on our list, 50 Best Albums of 2017). “Who Dat Boy” the song was one of many triumphs within the album, but the video ‘takes the cake.’ The colorful rapper, whose face is burned after an explosion in his bedroom, gets a face transplant (or sorts), courtesy of surgeon A$AP Rocky. It’s bizarre, but entertaining to the nth degree.  Only Tyler, the Creator could pull this off.

Photo Credits: Def Jam, Roc Nation, Big Machine, Interscope, Atlantic, Warner Music, One Little Indian, Epic, Columbia