Rap-Up.com || Rap-Up’s 10 Best Music Videos of 2011

Although most music videos are viewed online these days, that hasn’t killed the creativity behind the camera. 2011 was full of visual marvels—from the silly (Chromeo and Solange’s “When the Night Falls”) to the scary (Kanye West’s “Monster”) to the star-studded (Beastie Boys’ “Make Some Noise”).

Dr. Dre came back to life in “I Need a Doctor,” Lil Wayne showed us a softer side with “How to Love,” Nicki Minaj and Drake made fairytales come true in “Moment 4 Life,” and Jay-Z and Kanye West chopped up a Maybach in “Otis.” And who can forget about Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator’s chilling, self-directed video for “Yonkers,” which landed him an MTV Video Music Award.

Starting this week, we’re sharing our favorite music videos, songs, and albums of 2011. Find out which 10 videos of the past year won a special place in our hearts and share your faves.

10. Chromeo feat. Solange – “When the Night Falls”

9. Nicki Minaj feat. Drake – “Moment 4 Life”

8. Dr. Dre feat. Eminem & Skylar Grey – “I Need a Doctor”

7. Lil Wayne – “How to Love”

6. Beastie Boys – “Make Some Noise”

5. Tyler, the Creator – “Yonkers”

4. Beyoncé – “Run the World (Girls)”

3. Kanye West f/ Rick Ross, Jay-Z, & Nicki Minaj – “Monster”

2. Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Otis”

1. Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris – “We Found Love”

Posted in Best Of, Music Videos | Permalink

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109 Comments

Yeah
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:30 am
ha

[Reply]
Paris Finest Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:29 am
@Yeah, GAME – MARTIANS VS GOBLINS!!!!!!!!!

[Reply]
andrew Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Yonkers is better than M4L? Sike.

[Reply]
LO Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@Yeah, i only agree with the last 5 the rest except 10 shouldnt be in it…i need a doctor was hella boring and a moment for life just ok…lets not even start with how to love…the story was nice but thats it…and i agree videos dont have to be always expensive but child… THEY DONT MAKE THAT MANY GOOD VIDEOS ANYMORE LIKE THEY USED TO

[Reply]
AmbeRussell Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
@LO, i hae to agree. moment for life was nothing special, just her in a large ball room, other than that…nothing else. n how to love was only good bc it was a weezy video. bc it was something different for him. but for any other artist, we seen stuff like that b4.
amberussell on youtube

[Reply]
ChrisBrownLOUD
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:31 am
I love rih but how is she number one?

[Reply]
Cranberry Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:36 am
@ChrisBrownLOUD, seriously? It’s an amazing video. Easily the best of the year by any artist from any genre.

[Reply]
:o Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:07 am
@Cranberry, Amazing? Its a joke right. I love the song but the video.. its like watching porn

[Reply]
Jay Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 2:40 pm
@ChrisBrownLOUD, Because she da one ahah

[Reply]
Justin
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:31 am
“Motivation” by Kelly Rowland deserves a honorable mention.

[Reply]
Puma Kamarullah
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:34 am
Drake’s headlines?

[Reply]
kk Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:59 am
@Puma Kamarullah, yup

[Reply]
YESSS! BEYONCE! COUNTDOWN IS ALSO GOOD ;)
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:36 am
my name is oo

[Reply]
my name is oo Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:42 am
@YESSS! BEYONCE! COUNTDOWN IS ALSO GOOD ;), Beyonce is the best of all time..!

[Reply]
:o Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:08 am
@my name is oo, Duh :)

[Reply]
yesh Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 11:11 am
@YESSS! BEYONCE! COUNTDOWN IS ALSO GOOD ;), LOL where’s kanye??

[Reply]
mumi
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:47 am
FUCK YEAAAAHHH!! RIHANNA YOU DID IT! <3

[Reply]
Ray
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:49 am
I agree We Found Love was the best video of the year and it took 10 1/2 months just to get a good video like that #propstorihanna

[Reply]
:o Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:09 am
@Ray, Good video? Lmfaoo

[Reply]
Fan Of A Fan Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 6:02 am
@:o, are you mad bro?

[Reply]
:o Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
@Fan Of A Fan, Why would i be?

[Reply]
wil
January 3rd, 2012 at 7:52 am
where is Chris Brown – Look At Me Now??? WTF?

[Reply]
aight Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:22 am
@wil, I like Look At Me Now but the clip is not that good IMO

[Reply]
zania Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
@aight, But the experts think Look at me now is real good. The video got nominated for every award
show this year and including MTV VIDEOS. Most of the videos rap up selected wasn’t even nominated. Plus CB video has the most youtube views this year out of all the rappers video. So I have nothing else to say.

[Reply]
:o Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:09 am
@wil, Ikr. Where is he?

[Reply]
AmbeRussell Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
@wil, to me, the song was bigger than the video

[Reply]
sosonam
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:08 am
wow. top 4 goes to rocnation.

[Reply]
trippen67
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:09 am
This is done under the favourite videos act only how can rihanna be number 1 because shes one the most popular female artists, no reconigtion from less popular artists, shocking!

[Reply]
minto Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:26 am
@trippen67, how bout the fact that chromeo who is a much lesser act is on the list, dont start makin shit up when facts trump your opinions

We found love was by far the best

[Reply]
roman
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:16 am
Um Super Bass? When was the last time a female rapper gave you face, body, hair and life?

Not Kim ass who’s on face #11.

[Reply]
kk Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 11:09 am
@roman, why is u mad she got 2 songs up there thats good

[Reply]
:l Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 11:16 am
@roman,i really think you are a kim fan that jump from nicki to kim post to start sh-t,wt-f dos this post are list have to do with kim..it,s people like you who always drag real nicki fans in to sh-t,that they are not involved in,but people like you live for drama and conflict.

[Reply]
Lauryn
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:17 am
Oh please. I’m done with Rap-Up after this!

[Reply]
RAP-UP Reply:
January 5th, 2012 at 8:35 am
@Lauryn, yeah right. you’ll be back tomorrow posting your irrelevant comments/

[Reply]
CBE
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:19 am
Get outta of here with this shit!

Where is Look at me Now!!!

RAP UP…SMH

[Reply]
john
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:20 am
where is tyga and drake
bet you guys didnt listen to most better music videos

[Reply]
B.S
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:23 am
We found Love! Really?

I feel like laughing but…

Some Rihanna ass kissers for sure

[Reply]
rozay Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:25 am
@B.S, get outta here you chris brown stan. don’t be mad cause his video didn’t make the list (and didn’t deserve to either).

[Reply]
B.S Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:39 am
@rozay, LOL!didnt deserve too?that was one of the best videos of 2011 praised by critics alike,WFl is some bullshit video(about chris brown)so shut the fuck up!

[Reply]
Cranberry Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
@B.S, We Found Love got more praise than any of the trash Chris has put out. Stop it.

[Reply]
B.S Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:42 am
@rozay,You just a punk,who said I am a chris brown stan? ontop of that yes WFL sucks balls!

[Reply]
rozay Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:50 am
@B.S, “sucks balls” … you sound really intelligent.

[Reply]
damit! Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
@rozay, I’m a huge CB fan and I’m not mad at all, not shocked either! Notorized dubed Look At Me Now as the no. 1 videao, each has their own opinion, I am shocked that We Found Love is no. 1 it hasn’t been out long at all, mad no, Chris Brown had an amazing year and cause his video didn’t make the list doesn’t change the fact what so ever!

[Reply]
Fan Of A Fan Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 6:03 am
@B.S, Mad?

[Reply]
Aza
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:24 am
SUPER BASS ISN’T THERE, SMH

[Reply]
Songtress
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:32 am
This top 10 sucks personally, Jay-Z, Kanye, Beyonce, and Rihanna can maintain their spots but what about the other videos this year from Nicki and some other artists that were bigger ?!
*shrugs*
Come on Rap-Up !

[Reply]
nene Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:48 am
@Songtress, so if they’re “bigger” artists, they deserve to make the list? dumb.

[Reply]
kk Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 11:10 am
@nene, no there were bigger videos ~___~

[Reply]
saiko
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:38 am
Kelly Rowland – Lay it on me?

[Reply]
____ Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:53 am
@saiko, naw…..the director jacked Kelly up for that video by using the same ideas she directed for another video (Livvi Franc – Now I’m That B*tch)

[Reply]
Replay
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:46 am
Look At Me Now? Super Bass? And We Found Love #1 are u kidding me :D?

[Reply]
Replay
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:47 am
David Guetta & Usher – Without You too…

[Reply]
LISA Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:48 am
@Replay, you have horrible taste.

[Reply]
Replay Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:48 am
@LISA, horrible taste? Aha bye. Lil Kim

[Reply]
DIONFATALEI
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:54 am
We Found Love should DEF be number 1, she raised the bar with that video yet again. The video even topped Indie/Alternative type best list being the only dance/pop record on the list.

[Reply]
debbie Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:28 am
@DIONFATALEI, agreed…it was SOOOOOOO different than anything out so its kind of obvious that its number one

[Reply]
Natalia
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:57 am
??? Nicki Minaj “Super bass”

[Reply]
aight Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:26 am
@Natalia, They chose Moment 4 Life instead
I think if they put 2 Nicki’s clips, people were gonna talk.

[Reply]
brandon
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:34 am
i absolutely agree with the list. All these videos were either on the epic, classic, or unique scale which is EXACTLY why they got the spots they deserve.

Personally the reason why moment 4 life got up there and not superbase because for one moment 4 life is a much better song where she is actually saying something (it was nominated for a grammy over super bass) and plus as visually appealing as the video was, super bass was kind of just an ordinary pop video

and for all the manic stanned chris brown fans sorry to burst your bubble but Look at me Now didnt deserve be up there hence why its not. There was nothing special about (name one if you want) visually appealing yes, but what exactly separated it from other videos to deserve to be on this list????? I like him, his music, and his videos just not how his fans think he is the king of the world…

that is all

[Reply]
New years Rezzo Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:44 am
@brandon, Seriously from a minaj fan?lol

What did superbass or moment for life stand for?

Atleast chris is entertainment

Look at this top 10 and seriously tell me Look at me now(ft busta and wayne I should add) didnt deserve a spot.
If u hate,I can also be a hater

[Reply]
:l Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 11:10 am
@New years Rezzo, i won’t agree with brandon and say who don’t belong up there because as i see it everyone on that list deserved there spot,and if you don’t know what moment4life stand for you are ignorant,but as i can see you just fighting fire with fire because of what brandon said…and brandon you talkign about breezy fans thinks he is the king of the work…that is normal fans are bias just like me when it come to nicki,you artist is like a spoiled kid that you keep spoiling it,s natural.

[Reply]
Pupusa Peluda
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:34 am
the motto by drake. wtf. why is it not here

[Reply]
Stre3t Danc@
January 3rd, 2012 at 9:42 am
Um… WHAT? This list sucks big time!! Where tf is Look at me now?!?! And.. Rihanna #1? Really? -__________-

[Reply]
Fan Of A Fan Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 5:58 am
@Stre3t Danc@, mad?

[Reply]
chase
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:03 am
YES RIHANNA IS the QUEEN

[Reply]
:o Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:12 am
@chase, Queen of what? Porn?

[Reply]
Whatcha_Sayin Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 4:54 pm
@:o, Good one. Did it take you all of 2011 to come up with that?

[Reply]
#teambreezykiki Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 7:47 am
@:o, lol that was good cuz that is all she does

[Reply]
ILL
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:04 am
Rihanna Queen

[Reply]
care
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:05 am
wow wow Rihanna runs this bitch!!!

[Reply]
Window Pain
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:06 am
all i can say is that kelly should of took that hoe beyonce spot she is wack and ps: Rihanna is on top = new Queen!!

[Reply]
bb
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:07 am
Rihanna is the best forget about the rest

[Reply]
STACE FACE
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:09 am
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE #1 VIDEO~

[Reply]
:o
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:14 am
Beyonce on 4th place? Seriously? Where tf is chris? Rihanna on 1st place? Really now?

[Reply]
Fan Of A Fan Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 6:00 am
@:o, madT?

[Reply]
:o Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
@Fan Of A Fan, Once again.. Why would be? And btw you need a new line..

[Reply]
I Love Barry
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:25 am
Where is Martians VS Goblins ??!

[Reply]
arob
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:37 am
We found love was a nice video, but it looks like cee lo’s

[Reply]
kk
January 3rd, 2012 at 11:16 am
good shit

[Reply]
:l
January 3rd, 2012 at 11:18 am
yonkers,monster and moment4life all the way.

[Reply]
Real Issh
January 3rd, 2012 at 11:56 am
Love RTW , & Yonkers .

[Reply]
LaPorscha
January 3rd, 2012 at 12:07 pm
I feel Chris Brown Look At Me Now should of been on the list…

[Reply]
AMX
January 3rd, 2012 at 12:27 pm
ohhhh THANK GOD because justin bieber is not one of them :D

[Reply]
:)
January 3rd, 2012 at 12:54 pm
@RIHANNA #1! :)

[Reply]
tamar
January 3rd, 2012 at 1:40 pm
look at me now was wack you guys.

but i do agree with this list.

[Reply]
Giamma
January 3rd, 2012 at 2:10 pm
Muah!

WFL deserved!

[Reply]
:) Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 2:35 pm
@Giamma, Yes!

[Reply]
Byzinha
January 3rd, 2012 at 2:11 pm
ACCURATE.

[Reply]
brainfood.com
January 3rd, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Tyler the Creator looks like Roscoe from “Martin.”

[Reply]
hell yea
January 3rd, 2012 at 3:41 pm
these videos suck

[Reply]
Jayrican18
January 3rd, 2012 at 3:41 pm
I love all those songs! Especially We Found Love!

[Reply]
A Realist
January 3rd, 2012 at 4:09 pm
I can’t stand Rihtard, but I agree she did have the best video of 2011.

[Reply]
coolio
January 3rd, 2012 at 4:16 pm
This is a horrible list. Where is GaGa?

[Reply]
ATT Reply:
January 3rd, 2012 at 4:22 pm
@coolio, This is a URBAN list.

[Reply]
coolio Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 1:44 pm
@ATT, What!?!?! Gaga is as urban as it gets!

[Reply]
DenimJunkieKidd Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 5:22 am
@coolio, gaga didn’t put out any good VIDEOS this year, just music

[Reply]
Blanco
January 3rd, 2012 at 6:47 pm
Forget that where is black friday!!!

[Reply]
tamar Reply:
January 4th, 2012 at 9:25 am
@Blanco, in 2011

[Reply]
Billy
January 3rd, 2012 at 8:30 pm
YES! Rap-Up CONSISTENTLY picks an amazing crop of videos for their 10 best, and I couldn’t agree more (at least with the top 5 or 6). Amazing.
It was a great year for videos, even if the overall quality of music in 2011 was lacking.

[Reply]
Hugh
January 4th, 2012 at 4:25 am
N****s in Paris would have made my list if THEY ACTUALLY MADE A VIDEO!

I’m On One was ok. So was Lighters. This is a pretty good list.

[Reply]
name
January 4th, 2012 at 4:26 am
J. COLE – LOST ONES!!!!!

[Reply]
Fan Of A Fan
January 4th, 2012 at 5:57 am
That Rihanna reign just won’t let up. *shrugs*

#RihannaNavy

[Reply]
Rachel
January 4th, 2012 at 9:38 am
No Countdown?
Automatically makes this a Major Fail!!!

[Reply]
nicegirl
January 4th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
This list is really good. The videos on the list are well thought-out, whether humorous, meaningful or just plain enetertaining. I think either Lost Ones by J. Cole or Far Away by Marsha Ambrosius should have been on the list too. They are very meaningful videos too. Maybe if there was a top 20 list.

[Reply]
Audrey Hepburn
January 4th, 2012 at 6:17 pm
RIHANNA = #1, Sounds about right to me! :D

[Reply]
truth b told
January 4th, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Not a fan of either Rihanna or Chris Brown, but I would agree Look At Me Now should have been on the list. We Found Love being No.1, uh, I wonder why…the video is about DV, has a Chris Brown look-a-like, come on now. And as far as her reign not letting up, if it wasn’t for Chris Brown, she wouldn’t have a reign, take it how you want RiRi stans, truth b told & hell no, I’m not mad! I do think Kelly Rowland should have made the list…Motivation was one hot video!

[Reply]
aba
January 5th, 2012 at 3:00 am
Run The World >>>>>>>> the crap you have at #1

[Reply]
Damn !
January 5th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
Brotha please i’m mad as f*ck right now ! Run The World beat all the shit that came out this year , i mean have you the the video ? Even the alternative shitty one is still beating WFL ass ! I don’t know what happened with this era but i but my ass that if her father was still managing her she would have sold a lot of a lot album and would’ve had the true success she deserves !

[Reply]
Laurent
January 7th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
man this list is wack, where the hell is Fast Lane from bad meets evil …?

[Reply]