Here is my personal Top 10 of black&white Rap Videos from the Golden Era, a nice counterpart to some of those polished and colorful clips you see nowadays… I chose videos on the basis of how well the visuals and the track work together, and here it is, all classics as usual:

The Pharcyde – Passin’ Me By

The track for every man whose world has been turned upside down by womankind; Pharcyde from LA always had innovative videos, this being their second.

Too $hort – I Want To Be Free

“Shorty The Pimp” versus police brutality and East Oaklands Finest in particular.

Eric B. & Rakim – In The Ghetto

A dark video that got mad airplay back in the days on YO!, showing the unadorned bleakness of the projects.

D-Nice – 25 Ta Life

D-Nice tells us how fast you can get from a summer’s day flirt to doing 25 to life.

Nas – The World Is Yours

‘Nuff said. The world is ours.

Buckshot LeFonque – No Pain No Gain (Salaam Remi Remix)

Branford Marsalis (former bandleader on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show) plays the Sax, the video captures the whole NYC vibe, and the track is a true underrated classic.

Craig Mack feat. Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes & Rampage – Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)

The video as minimalist as the track – nevertheless pioneering style-wise – this remix outshines the original.

Slick Rick – Mistakes

The undisputed king of storytelling narrates of women in love with other men, and this artistic video fits perfectly.

Gang Starr – Just To Get A Rep

The G.ifted U.nlimited R.hymes U.niversal on one of Preemos early gems, and a video telling its own story.

Ice Cube – Dead Homiez

Ice Cube takes the top spot with this farewell to all the dead homies, no doubt this video had to be shot in black & white… the combination of beat, vocals and images still sends shivers down one’s spine.