Sadprt's 25 Favorite Music Videos of 2025
Dec 13, 2025
By Valentino Goulian
Long gone are the days of MTV and Vevo; the rise of independent music video production is in full effect. However, with this, there is oversaturation. In a world where music videos are put out as an afterthought, I want to point out where real talent lies.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have watched 200+ music videos that were released this year to share with you the ones I found best. The songs themselves did not play a role in my ranking process. Here are my 25 favorite music videos of 2025.
25. ApolloRed1, Drug Love Demo 2
Directed by Sinspirits
Playboi Carti’s newest and only signee of 2025, ApolloRed1, made his debut this year with the album Midnight Blassic. While a few of the songs on the album did come with music videos, this one stuck out to me for its striking visuals like color contrast, and unique VFX. It’s a satisfying watch to say the least.
24. Turrobaby, Bajo El Sol/Lloviendo en la Ciudad
Directed by Tiagote
2025 has been a critical year for Argentina and its rising scene for artists from all walks of life, Turrobaby of the P.I.L.F collective is no exception to this as he has completely transformed as an artist this year. This video has two parts. The first part being very moody in tone with beautiful vibrant colors and an isolated atmosphere while the second part is energetic and prideful with models and Argentine flags gracing the whole set.
23. Yung Lean, Babyface Maniacs
Directed by Suzie & Léo
Yung Lean is known for having some iconic music videos over the years. While in all honesty, I did not thoroughly enjoy Yung Lean’s ‘Jonatan’ album, I can confidently say that I wasn’t surprised to see yet another beautifully abstract masterpiece. Everything from the set, to the lighting, to the VFX was done in wonderful taste.
22. Glaive, Asheville
Directed by Tommy Pointer
This video is a great example of keeping a video concept simple and sweet. The simplicity of the video really gives the editing and mood a way to shine through. It’s packed with emotion which is captured through clear and close-up shots which makes for an engaging watch.
21. Bleood, Charlie Murder
Directed by Santino Vagma & Matt Shins
This video is intense and definitely not for the squeamish or the faint of heart. It feels like a cross between “found footage" horror film and a GG Allin performance. Despite its graphic nature, the video is epic and feels well put together. My first thought while watching was that this is what Ken Carson’s ‘Lord of Chaos’ video should have looked like.
20. Maxon, Tokyo Drift
Directed by Jtvisuals
A few Maxon videos almost made this list, but this one beat the rest for its creativity. The concept for this video is unique, and the energy from all the guests gave the video such a feel-good atmosphere. Not to mention the stunning cinematography and colors. It is truly devastating that we won’t have the opportunity to see what more was to come. Rest In Peace, Maxon Margiela.
19. Percaso, Close My Eyes
Directed by Cxsmo
An enthralling song with an even more enthralling video, what else could we ask for? This video feels like a 220 MPH high-speed chase running from police. With fantastic 3D VFX and vibrant colors, this video isn’t one to skip. We had the pleasure of speaking to the director, Cxsmo, here’s what he had to say:
TINO: “’Close My Eyes’ was a song off Percaso’s Fast Car Music, and this video obviously takes that concept seriously, but what surprised you most when developing the idea for this video?”
CXSMO: “The thing that surprised me most when developing this video has to be the car culture of Atlanta. When we had planned out the video with Pinkflamingousa, I was super shocked to see all of it unfolding in front of me. Chris Phan as the stunt director, all of the people that popped out ‘cause it was a public event, and honestly seeing how lit it was.”
T: “How did Percaso shape or challenge the direction of this video?”
C: “Percaso shaped the direction of the video because he had wanted to do something involving street cars and drifting since the beginning of our work. He had texted me ‘Bro you know Chris Phan follows you?’ and I wasn't even aware of how legendary he was. I hit him up wanting to work with him on this video and the rest was history.”
18. 2hollis, Flash
Directed by Noah Dillon
Directed by The Hellp’s very own Noah Dillon, the flash music video takes its name very literally. The use of lighting in and throughout this video is insanely unique and creative. Using flash photography to create somewhat of a stop motion effect was my favorite part.
17. Tezzus, Section 8
Directed by Kamvandamm & Luciano Wallace
This video takes inspiration from a couple of different movies that I could point out. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Midsommar. This video starts off calm and wholesome and quickly becomes dark, moody, and paranoiac. The deep colors in this video brush the scenery, and Tezzus has a strong character presence throughout.
16. AgusFortnite2008, Fleko
Directed by Southboy & AgusFortnite2008
The second of many Argentines on this list, but the only other member of P.I.L.F. AgusFortnite2008 has a long history with creative direction and stylistic videos throughout and before his music career. All his ideas are truly one-of-a-kind, and this video is no exception. This whole video feels like fine art, with brush stroke effects, and paintings that move and sway across the screen. Not only do I recommend you check out this video but do the same for the rest of his music videos as well. Truly a one-of-one musician and visualist.
15. Lil Baby, Playboi Carti, & Skooly, Let’s Do It
Directed by Directedbyfrankie
At first glance, you quickly realize, this does not seem like a Lil Baby music video... Because it isn't. Entirely creative directed by Playboi Carti and his video crew, this video screams YVL and all the new Opium aesthetics. This video is flashy, fast-paced, and edited beyond recognition. But that being said, everything runs so smoothly and truly engages its viewer.
14. Yeat, Loose Leaf
Directed by Harmony Korine
The undisputed G.O.A.T of independent filmmaking, Harmony Korine, has recently taken up an interest in directing and producing music videos over the past couple of years. What makes Harmony so special in this space is his signature unconventionally meta style. With awkwardly dancing people wearing dog masks, to AI alligator humanoids, Harmony and Yeat seem to be a perfect pair who proportionally match each other's freak.
13. Fakemink, Crying
Directed by Fakemink & Neo
One of the U.K.’s many rising stars this year, Fakemink, has made an impression that many will feel for years to come. Though he’s released many music videos this year, this one stuck out. Though simple in its cinematography, the editing, done by Dopesolitary and Notsoloist, is the main allure of this video. Bright colors, avant-garde on-screen graphics at every waking moment, and a tastefully DIY approach have made this video one to remember.
12. Sophia Stel, Everyone Falls Asleep In Their Own Time
Directed by Scarlet Ross & Aaron Lum
The uniqueness of this video lies in the way it was shot. Not in the cinematography, but in the fact that it was done in a single shot, on a single take. The beauty lies within the imperfections. At points we see people on production who aren’t supposed to be in the shot trying to move out of the way in time. This rawness and transparency make the video relatable and unique.
11. EsDeeKid, Century
Directed by Don Prod & Archie Erskine
Yet another one of the U.K.’s current rising stars, Liverpool’s EsDeeKid has completely shaken the scene at its core, and this video leaves that same impression. Through intense character presence, stunning cinematography, a unique utilization of lighting, and a fast-paced and impressive editing style, this video feels like the perfect captivating moment EsDeeKid needed at this point in his career.
10. Fakemink, Fidelio
Directed by Fakemink
As Fakemink appears on this list for his second time, this video has everything I loved about ‘Crying’ and more. More colors, more patterns, more incomprehensible graphics that you might miss if you look away for even a second but most of all, that same DIY grit but in an elevated and more moody way. References to Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut appear in abundance throughout the video, and somehow everything comes together into the perfect bundle which feels wholly and solely like Fakemink.
9. Jim Legxacy, ‘06 Wayne Rooney
Directed by Lauzza
Simply, there is just so much to love about this video. If you are a Gen Z and grew up playing any sports games like FIFA, 2k, or Madden, this one will hit close to home for you. This video was modeled after FIFA 13 and works almost wholly in VFX in a way I’ve never seen before. It feels like a full immersion in the game and as a music video experience, it's addictive. We reached out to the director, lauzza, for some more context about this approach. Here is our conversation:
TINO: “This video pulls themes and references to FIFA, which is a culturally important game to many in the U.K. and around the world, which is very fitting for Jim Legxacy’s overall vision. What was your process like when developing the concept for this video?”
LAUZZA: “I would think back to the days when I would play FIFA 13 all day when I was 12. Literally pulled from my memory. We had no Wi-Fi at the time, so I’d just be in the training ground all day, which you can see in the video. That is just one of the examples.”
T: “How did Jim Legxacy shape or challenge the direction of this video?”
L: “It was his idea to go down this route, and he really pushed me to expand the limitations of these VFX heavy videos. Ultimately, he gave me so much trust which just allowed us to spread our wings. I actually wrote a whole other treatment for this [video] before we landed on this concept.”
T: “What’s a small detail in this video that most viewers probably missed, but means a lot to you?”
L: “The FIFA pack opening scene has many BBM (Black British Music) collaborators on all the cards. I love little easter eggs like that, it gives the project more soul and celebrates the overall artistic contribution.”
8. Saramalacara, Señal De Dios
Directed by Cruz Larrosa
Our third Argentine on this list is Saramalacara, and while this video is beautiful for several reasons, the back-story is what intrigued me so much. It is known that Argentina has one of the biggest cattle and meat industries in the world, and Saramalacara is from a small part of Buenos Aires called Mataderos which literally translates to “slaughterhouses.” This video is filmed in one of the many slaughterhouses she grew up around and used this unique part of her upbringing to make something distinctive and special.
7. Playboi Carti, FOMDJ
Directed by Gab3, Myles Henrik Hall, & Directedbyfrankie
This video checks all the boxes in what I look for in a good video. Great lighting, fantastic colors, unique cinematography, strong character presence, and it knows how to stay active and engaging. I wouldn’t say that it's a marvel of music video-filmmaking, but in a traditional sense, it’s near perfect and makes for an effortless watch you can come back to again and again.
6. Ian, You Told Me
Directed by AMD
Now, for an example of a video that could be considered a marvel of music video-filmmaking. The ‘You Told Me’ music video from Ian is profound. The lines are blurred, and abstraction flows through the editing, scenery, and overall concept of the video. Despite its magnificent nature, I believe there is more to this video that we are not seeing. That’s why we spoke to AMD:
TINO: “This video watches like a beautifully chaotic stream of events leading from a set to the real world, what was your process like when developing the concept for this video?”
AMD: “At first, the plan was to shoot a fully run-and-gun video in Paris. But as we talked it through, we realized there was an opportunity to elevate the idea and build a 2-in-1 experience—two completely different visual approaches living inside one video. The first half is a fully polished, stylized concept, while the second half shifts into a freestyle, on-the-go perspective that feels intimate and raw. Just me and my camera. Creating the first half concept really came from the song. I really wanted the visuals to feel like the heavy synths and bass from the beat.”
T: “How did Ian shape or challenge the direction of this video?”
A: “Since we shot the run-and-gun Paris section first, I ended up spending the whole week with Ian. Toward the end of the trip, we sat down in the Airbnb and broke down every shot I had in mind so we were completely aligned. As we worked through the details, he started throwing out ideas of his own. One moment that really stuck out was the drum shot—he said, ‘What if for the transition, I stand up and point at myself playing the drums?’ He was excited when he pitched it, so we added it on the spot. That kind of collaboration made the process feel special. When an artist is that invested in the vision, the whole piece becomes more intentional and alive. After we wrapped up the London shoot, we stayed up all night editing together. We were exhausted, but excited. There’s no better feeling than realizing we actually pulled off exactly what we set out to make.”
T: “Any extra thoughts or interesting moments you want to share?”
A: “One of my favorite moments is the shot of the girl with the laser beaming across her face. I love it even more because we pulled it off practically—no VFX—which makes it feel that much more tactile and special. I’m also obsessed with how the bullet-time rig (Medusa) played into the visual language. Jack Exton (DP) pitched it to me last minute, it was my first time using that tool, and it brought a whole new dimension to the energy we wanted to capture. Creating with Slawn was its own highlight. He came in completely open to experimentation, and his presence added another layer to the world of the vid.”
5. Smokedope2016, 2016Lyfe
Directed by Reduciano
This video seems like it has infinite moving parts as its fast-paced and nostalgic nature makes it one to remember. This is also the second video on this list that was created with the concept of a video game from our childhood in mind. Specifically, themes and references to CS:GO, which is the only reference I thought I could point out. That was until we spoke to the director, Reduciano:
TINO: “It’s obvious that this video was based on the game Counter Strike, which is very fitting for Smokedope’s overall vision, but what surprised you most when developing the concept for this video?”
REDUCIANO: “I think, mainly, how much every scene fits perfectly with each other. There’s a lot more references than CS (Counter Strike), the main other being Enter The Void. It was crazy seeing how similar both of those things are, and how much they share. I think it was really fun building out scenes themed to be CS and then realizing, damn, this actually works so well. Not only in the narrative of the video and story I'm trying to tell, but also in the context of Enter the Void and that storyline too.”
T: “What’s a small detail in this video that most viewers probably missed, but means a lot to you?”
R: “I think Aldo being in the video is really cool to me, because Smokedope and Aldo actually play CS:GO in real life and also go out together a lot. It was really fun to be able to literally put that in the video as a day in their regular lives but exaggerate it to such insane proportions... I think a lot of people might see it as a cameo for the sake of a cameo, but it really is something that makes sense and happens in real life often. Aldo is also my really good friend [of mine] so it was a perfect scenario to have him on my first video.”
4. Dom Corleo, Club Siberia
Directed by Noahsocold
When I was first starting this project and putting together all the music videos I was going to watch, honestly, I would not have expected a Dom Corleo video to make the top 25. But I was wrong. This video looks like a cross between the Uncanny Valley and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Each feature of this video feels wholly unique and original and makes for an absurd and fun watch.
3. The Hellp, Live Forever
Directed by Noah Dillon
Noah Dillon of The Hellp finds a way to insert himself creatively in any way he can. He directs videos, does cover art, and anything else you could think of for other creatives he shares creative similarities with and truly adds value. But as anyone else would, he saves the best concepts for his own work. This video watches like a movie with a full storyline and distinct plot points. Colors and natural lighting also play a unique and significant role in this. This is the type of music video that makes you think he might have a future in filmmaking.
2. EQ, B.S.A.S. (Si Alguna Vez Ti Sentís Sola de Noche)
Directed by Ezequiel Calafell
The last, but not least, Argentines on this list are the duo Estratosfera and Qiri as EQ. Their entire visual branding lies within stylized hyper-focused photos and videos with perfect lighting and intensely detailed sets, which are completely intentional and calculated. This video in particular is striking for its otherworldly cinematography, muted pastel colors, distinctive theming, and angelic performances.
OsamaSon, Ref
Directed by Walker Andrews
The first spot on this list goes to none other than OsamaSon, and he deserves it. The concept, the lighting, the colors, the cinematography, the novelty, and everything else in between feels almost perfect. The director, Walker Andrews, isn’t new to this world of music videos. And it seems that he’s always had an upper hand creatively over others. We talked to him about this video, here’s what we talked about:
TINO: “I think it’s fair to say that ‘Ref’ is the perfect embodiment in a song for OsamaSon’s whole vision for Jump Out. This video brings that to life through references to the cover art, and the intense energy of the project. What did your overall process look like developing the concept for this video?”
WALKER ANDREWS: “I agree with you. It started with coming up with ideas and bouncing them with his team until we ultimately settled on a few scenes we liked. I was given the opportunity to go for something larger than what I’m used to and that was my attempt to learn and grow.”
T: “How did OsamaSon shape or challenge the direction of this video?”
WA: “He always comes to life when performing and gives his all every take. It’s very awesome to see and the energy is never lost when it’s on a screen. He brought Xavier [sobased] and Backend on set and that lit up the room even more.”
T: “What’s a small detail in this video that most viewers probably missed, but means a lot to you?”
WA: “I feel like people missed the vertical Corvette at the end, haha. I love that shot and I haven’t seen it done before.”
T: “Any extra thoughts or moments you want to share?”
WA: “Keep chasing your dreams and don’t give up. Be kind to yourself and others. Be the most and best you everyday.”
