Top 10 Best Music Videos of 2023
#10: “Count Me Out” (2022) Kendrick Lamar
With this, the rapper proved why he’s one of the most influential artists of the 21st century. “Count Me Out” was the perfect way to end 2022 and begin 2023. It offered a look inside the musician’s mind, taking place during a fictional therapy session. It was an investigation of Lamar’s memory and experiences, touching upon both his physical and mental health. Each scene gave new insight to the way the rapper’s mind worked, and allowed his listeners to get an even more personal look into his life. The co-starring of the esteemed Helen Mirren helped raise it to new heights, with the actress giving a stellar performance as Kendrick’s therapist. The video serves as both an artistic and personal triumph for the respected musician.
#9: “I Can See You (Taylor’s Version)” (2023) Taylor Swift
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Just when we thought she couldn’t get anymore iconic, she proved us wrong. The re-release of “Speak Now” brought us a bevy of remastered and brand new tracks, with “I Can See You” being one of the standouts. Like many of Taylor’s videos, this one had a complete story– where actors like Joey King and Taylor Lautner teamed up to save her from a vault. Not only was it exciting, it also served as a metaphor for Taylor reclaiming her past work. The choreography and the dramatic acting that appeared throughout kept fans invested from start to finish. It was proof that Taylor could turn anything into a winning video concept– even a song written over a decade beforehand.
#8: “On My Mama” (2023) Victoria Monét
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Nostalgia is a powerful tool, with many being affected by it. Up and coming R&B singer Victoria Monét was aware of this, and crafted “On My Mama” around the effective emotion. It hit the hearts of millennials everywhere, featuring aesthetics from the early 2000s. The video also showed different facets of Black culture as well; acting as an homage to the fashion and entertainment trends that she grew up with. Her mother even made an appearance– which only makes sense, given the song was referencing her. It shot Monét’s fame to new heights, introducing her to a wider audience and helping her score multiple Grammy nominations. It’s incredibly deserved, and we can’t wait to see how she takes the world by storm in 2024.
#7: “VOID” (2023) Melanie Martinez
Powerful, unique visuals are a surefire way to stand out amongst other projects. Melanie Martinez was aware of this, and poured every bit of her genius into the music video for “VOID”. It acts as a metaphor for Martinez leaving her well known “Cry Baby” look behind, ushering in a new, more creatively liberating phase of her career. With breathtaking SFX makeup and gorgeous effects, it instantly became one of the most unique concepts of 2023. Martinez performed in prosthetics the whole time, showing her commitment to her vision and her passion for her art. It was the perfect introduction to a new era– one that appeals to new and old supporters alike.
#6: “Flowers” (2023) Miley Cyrus
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The hype around this was strong before it ever even released, showing off her true starpower. Following her experimental rock album “Plastic Hearts”, fans of Miley Cyrus were curious to see what direction she would go in next, especially considering her break-up with then-husband Liam Hemsworth. Miley responded by completely rebranding, pivoting back into pop with her single “Flowers”. The video was simple, yet effective, with Miley wearing various two-piece sets while doing various activities around a huge mansion. It was a final sendoff to her past marriage, and showed that she had truly reached emotional maturity. The success helped propel Cyrus back to the top of the charts, and proved that her star power hadn’t faded one bit.
#5: “Vampire” (2023) Olivia Rodrigo
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Considering how popular “Sour” was, fans of the pop starlet were nervous to see how she could possibly top herself. However, she proved that she wasn’t going to be put into just one box. The video for “Guts”’ lead single had a new air of maturity and wisdom that her debut did not, captivating listeners. It was dramatic, featuring Olivia performing and then running for her life as people tried to capture her. Rodrigo’s impressive acting skills combined with the pumping, steadily increasing beat kept the viewer watching. Many could almost feel her emotion through the screen as they watched, making them more invested in the story. “Vampire” served as the perfect way for her to transition into a more adult sound and look.
#4: “Paint the Town Red” (2023) Doja Cat
The old adage “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” was put to the test in 2023. After struggling with her online image, Doja Cat revealed that she was veering away from her pop sound and was switching to something different. She proved her point by dropping the blunt, straightforward “Attention”. Fans were shocked, but they quickly recovered when they learned that Doja still had her dramatic flair. “Paint the Town Red” was a masterpiece, including shots of demons and other creepy imagery. It was the perfect vehicle for the song, and helped make it her biggest hit yet. The video was so great that it helped people quickly forget her controversial genre switch– proving there really is no such thing as bad press.
#3: “Dance the Night” (2023) Dua Lipa
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This artist has proven that she’s not fading away any time soon. She was the perfect choice for a tune on the Barbie soundtrack, due to her strong vocals and killer aesthetic. Never one to disappoint, Dua Lipa helped craft the standout, “Dance the Night”. The music video’s visuals were heavily inspired by “Barbie”, dripping in sparkles and maximalism. There were even clips from the movie included, along with cameos from celebrities, like Greta Gerwig. There was also speculation that the popstar included Easter eggs signifying the end of her “Future Nostalgia” sound, and transitioning to the next phase. It was the perfect way to keep her name on people’s minds as she transitioned to a new phase in her career.
#2: “Rush” (2023) Troye Sivan
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While he had always had a loyal fanbase within the LGBTQIA+ community, he’s always seemed to bubble under in the mainstream. That all changed when he dropped the electric visuals for “Rush” during the summer of 2023. It had a joyous energy, as people danced with one another unapologetically. It’s proof of Troye embracing his true self, and not hiding it to appeal to a wider fanbase. The impressive choreography also stuck in people’s minds, making it one of the most talked about videos of the summer. His newfound attitude is shown throughout the rest of the album rollout, including his drag-clad performance in “One of Your Girls”. “Rush'' catapulted Sivan to superstardom, and cemented his status as the main pop boy. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Barbie World” (2023), Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice with Aqua The Queen of Rap & Rap’s Newest Star Teamed Up for This Colorful Vid for the “Barbie” Movie “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” (2023), PinkPantheress & Ice Spice This Simple Yet Effective Concept Took Both of Their Careers to New Heights “What Was I Made For?” (2023), Billie Eilish The Star Changed Up Her Look in This Touching Yet Heartbreaking Ballad “Alone” (2023), Kim Petras & Nicki Minaj The Stars Brought Viewers Back in Time with This Throwback-Inspired Video “Candy Necklace” (2023), Lana Del Rey feat. Jon Batiste This Ten-Minute Short Film Featured Lana Becoming Several Women with Tragic Lives
#1: “Kill Bill” (2023) SZA
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If there was one song to sum up 2023, it would be this one. SZA’s single burned bright throughout the whole year, adding to her immense success. So, she knew she had to create a story that could live up to it. She was incredibly involved throughout the process, even doing many of her own physical stunts. The result was an in-depth, reference-laden music video that also served as a love letter to the title’s reference, “Kill Bill”. The production was stunning, the theatrics were incredible– there was even an impressive animated scene. It had something for everybody, and showed her true creative potential. It also served as proof that SZA was on her way to becoming one of pop’s next biggest stars. Did any of your favorite artists drop music videos in 2023? Let us know in the comments below.
