12 Great R&B and Rap Songs That Deserved Music Videos

Only two things make me smile these days – new episodes of X-Men 97 and music from 1998 getting its just due.

Just a few months back, we celebrated the 25-year legacy of Juvenile’s star-making 400 Degreez album, a project that both Troy and I agreed is a rap classic.

However, despite that album’s  juggernaut-like success (X-Men reference!), we never got a music video for its magnificent title track. UNTIL NOW!

Shout out to Juve and Mannie Fresh for giving fans what they’ve always wanted – even if it’s 25 years later. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate the legacy of that album, while also giving longtime fans even more reason to revisit the project.

So here’s my question – what are the rest of y’all waiting for!?

A few years back I wrote about 12 albums that never received the music videos they deserved, so let’s keep shaking the table. Juve and Mannie have proven that it’s never to late to revisit the classics. We still need these visuals!

Dru Hill, “Beauty”

It’s a shame that arguably Dru Hill’s best ballad never received video treatment. I’d love to see a video showcasing a hard-working mom grinding on her day job, with her man dolling her up when she gets home and treating her like royalty for a night on the town. Make her see that beauty IS her name!

Nas, “I Gave You Power”

I contend that “I Gave You Power” is one of the most creative – and important – songs in hip-hop history. It was the storytelling of “Stan” long before Em hooked up with Dido. Nas’ personification of a murder weapon could have been a groundbreaking video.  Instead of making the titular gun a goofy talking cartoon character straight out of Pixar, let Nas’ lyrics simply serve as a voiceover for a tale of revenge gone wrong. He doesn’t even have to make an appearance on camera – the actors and narrative should drive the story.

702, “I Still Love You”

Pharrell once said that this is one of the best beats the Neptunes ever created. And he’s not wrong. The lyrics command a simple love story but the insane production could inspire some really creative backdrops. As long as the girls aren’t singing to aliens on a UFO (in the mid-2000s this was not unheard of) you can’t really go wrong here. Better yet, it could be a tribute to beloved group member Irish, whom we lost in September.

Lil Kim, “Queen B****”

I sort of understand why this one never received video treatment – it was a little TOO raw and profane to be featured on TV without some heavy-duty editing. Still, it was worth a shot. I mean, who wouldn’t love a monochrome video of Kim stomping down a filthy alley in her fur and bikini? Fit for a queen.

Little Brother, “Cheatin'”

If you haven’t heard Phonte’s Percy Miracles persona, you’re missing a treat. Phontigallo is essentially playing a caricature of R&B crooner, complete with goofy lyrics and corny oversinging. This track itself is a parody of all those R. Kelly/Mr. Biggs songs from the early ’00s.  Considering today’s current obsession with horrible relationship podcasts, a “Cheatin'” video with that theme would be hilarious.

Playa, “Never Too Late”

I’ve long had a soft soft for Playa and it’s criminal that their 2003 comeback single never took off. I bet a video for this track would have been the perfect fuel for their return. Keep it simple with this one – the guys should simply try to win back the girl they let slip through their fingers. This one could have been huge and would serve as a strong tribute to Static Major.

Scarface featuring Jay Z, Kanye West and Beanie Sigel, “Guess Who’s Back”

It’s funny how your mind tricks you into believing things that never existed – I could have sworn there was a video for Face’s ’02 banger. A beat this soulful yet down-to-earth demands an authentic experience. Stick the four guys in their respective hoods and let them tell their story, cutting back to their respective residences at different times. It’ll be a great way to showcase the track’s North-meets-South-meets-Midwest vibe.

Jazmine Sullivan, “Mascara”

I know, I know, it’s a crying shame we never received a video for Jazmine’s awesome “Let It Burn.” But I feel like “Mascara” was even more tailor-made for the visual experience considering the song’s strong message. Imagine a behind-the-scenes look at the world of reality TV, where once the cameras stop rolling, the impossibly perfect star is obsessed with maintaining her beauty because, sadly, that’s all she has. We missed our chance for a great commentary on body imagery.

Snoop Dogg, featuring Nate Dogg, Warren G and Kurupt”Ain’t No Fun”

Can’t believe this song never received visuals? Me neither. Obviously this track dropped at the height of hip-hop misogyny, so it would have been all booties n’ bikinis in the LBC. Today? …It would probably be the same thing. Hey, we’re all grown here, let it ride.

Brandy, “Angel In Disguise”

One of the best songs from Brandy’s best album never had its own video. Where did we go wrong? This is another one that writes itself – a gorgeous girl sinks her claws into some naive guy, while Brandy comes through to remind us that beauty is only skin deep. Thrown the twist that dude is actually getting catfished by a fake Instagram model and it’s even better.

Kanye West, “Family Business”

Remember when Kanye West was introspective and relatable and not a washed cartoon villain? Visuals for “Family Business” could have really cemented his legacy. This one is easy, too: Release real home-video footage of Ye’s family gathering and all the madness therein. When Kanye says “You know that one auntie, you don’t mean to be rude/But every holiday nobody eating her food” followed by a closeup of an untouched bowl potato salad, the video would have immediately been crowned an all-time classic. Showcasing the real-life highs and lows of family would strike an emotional cord, guaranteed. It’s pretty hard to reconcile mid-2000s family man Kanye with … whatever it is we have today, but this would be a much-welcome throwback.

Michael Jackson, “Butterflies”

“Butterflies” is probably in my personal top five of Michael Jackson track. Fight me if you disagree. MJ’s videos have always been groundbreaking, and the tender message behind this track is ripe for creativity. Even if it’s nothing more than Michael moonwalking through a field of CGI butterflies, it would have been a special moment. I’m typically anti holograms and AI, but with today’s tech I’d still love to see something magical happen.

Which songs do you believe deserved music videos? Let us know below.