There is almost no medium that's had as much of an effect on the millennial popular consciousness as the music video.
We love them, and while they're not nearly as popular as they used to be (sorry Revolt), we're pretty lucky that we got to enjoy their heyday.
MTV and VH1 brought us an audiovisual experience the likes of which the world had never seen. Video really did kill the radio star.
It was only a matter of time before programs developed featuring music videos alongside some type of host, guest, information, whatever.
Total Request Live brought the radio request format into the new millennium. It turned Carson Daly from a DJ to a VJ and made him a household name. (Thanks?) Pop Up Video taught us facts we probably would have never known, while often lampooning the artist at the same time.
The point is, if you're under 30 (or even just slightly older), and you had (a friend with) cable, you probably remember a bunch of the following videos.
We scoured the web for our favorite 90s videos exclusively set in New York City. We got love for Cali, but there's no "California Love" on this list.
Get your Capri Sun and some Dunkaroos, it's time to throw down with throwback videos from NYC, baby.
1. Nas feat. Puff Daddy - "Hate Me Now" (1999)
This song, this video, this album, these artists-- they epitomized their time.
It's hard to remember how controversial the crucifixion in this video was. Of course, now it's overshadowed by Marilyn Manson's shock rock superstardom, but in the hip-hop world, this was pretty unprecedented.
[anad]
Now there's no doubt that Nas is one of the best rappers ever to live. Pedigreed by Rakim, he expresses with lucidity and emotion themes and ideas that most would struggle to articulate in conversation.
Give it up, play this one twice.
2. Jon Spencer Blues Explosion feat. Beck & Mike D. - "Flavor" (1994)
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion were pretty big in the 90s. They're still a force on the rock n roll scene, and have the curious ability to do kind of whatever the hell they want, whenever the hell they want.
They dropped a fresh album Freedom Tower: No Wave Dance Party, basically an open love letter to NYC, back in March, but this video for "Flavor" from '94 features a young Beck as well as the Beastie Boys' Mike D!
3. Company Flow - "End to End Burners" (1998)
Company Flow has been around, and legit AF, for what seems like forever. If you're not up on your throwback underground-ish BK hip-hop, than you'll only recognize El-P in this video.
Please don't make the mistake of thinking Run the Jewels is El-P's first project.
Anyway, this track is dope, this video is dope, the flow all over it is dope. Dope as hell in every way and it'll make your head rock if you have half a soul.
4. Deep Blue Something - "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1995)
This is one of those songs that will get stuck in your head, even if you don't want it to. Actually, especially if you don't want it to.
[anad2]
The video is quintessential 90's alt-rock. Band members rock perfectly 90's sunglasses, there's a wonderful green 90's sweater, taxis are old school; it's cute.
5. Jay Z - "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" (1998)
If you walked down the street in 1998, almost anywhere in NYC (that's not TriBeCa or Wall Street), you probably heard this song coming out of car systems, bumping in someone's apartment, dominating Hot 97, or stuck on repeat in your own head.
This is one of the tracks that solidified Jay Z's status as hip hop royalty, whether you like it or not.
There's been a lot of haters detracting from Jay's prestige in recent years, and while many of their points are valid, it's impossible not to recognize the illness on this track.
,6. Rage Against the Machine - "Sleep Now in the Fire" (1999)
Rage Against the Machine inspired a whole generation of political activism. It's something we kind of take for granted now. Ask any Bernie Sanders supporter if they're a fan of Rage, and the answer is probably, "Yes."
The "Sleep Now in the Fire" video is an interesting example of their ire. Directed by Michael Moore, the video is anti-Wall Street, anti-NY Stock Exchange, anti a lot of the crap we don't like today. They had the permit to film on the Stock Exchange steps.
[anad]
They didn't, however, have the permit to film on the streets surrounding. Crowds grew by the minute and started roiling, Moore was detained, the band was ejected...check it out above.
7. The Verve - "Bittersweet Symphony" (1997)
This video is so 90s there's a rollerblader in the first 30 seconds. Also, Richard Ashcroft shoulder-checking everyone in Manhattan is exactly how we feel like walking in NYC should be handled on many occasions.
Plus, who can forget this song from the sound track of Cruel Intentions? It's so 90s NYC that you can almost taste what's stashed in Sarah Michelle Gellar's ubiquitous "edgy spoiled rich girl" necklace...
8. LL Cool J - "Around the Way Girl" (1990)
LL Cool J was the man in 1990. He's still the man, he's just the sort of "the man" that doesn't have to keep telling you he's the man every day (Ahem, Kanye...), of course, hip-hop in '90 was a way different game than it is now.
One thing you'll notice about LL's flow in this video is how precisely he speaks, and how smooth the beat is. You don't really get this sound anymore.
Actual singing on a hook, not Drake trying not to be pitchy on a two note melody? It's possible.
9. New Radicals - "Get What You Give" (1998)
Filmed in a Staten Island mall, the "Get What You Give" video is something like Mallrats meets U2. Super 90s.
[anad2]
It's pretty care-free in the way we could have only been in the 90s. The random chaos that doesn't really hurt anybody in this PG video is refreshing in a really corny way. Almost as corny as the lyrics.
10. Black Star - "The Definition" (1998)
Black Star was HOT back in the day.
Mos Def and Talib Kweli brought a new form of consciousness to hip hop while maintaining bangability from the system. They reached back to the roots of hip-hop and looked forward to the future all at once, and that's part of why they were dope.
Mos & Talib are still out there crushin' it, but look at them roll through the 'hood in, "The Definition" video.
Check out 50 Party Songs That Completely Defined the 90s Generation.
[Feature Image Courtesy: Instagram]