20 Music Videos That Changed the Industry
Get your ear buds ready and screens brightened — we're diving into music videos! Once in a blue moon, a video comes along that captivates everyone's attention, becoming culture by changing it. It sparks conversation, whether positive or negative. If you're ready, read on.
Starting off: Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' (1982) turned a song into a 14-minute short film, elevating the art form with an iconic dance that remains legendary. Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' (1989) sparked controversy with its depiction of racism and burning crosses, leading Pepsi to pull an ad. Her 'Vogue' (1990) brought ballroom culture to the mainstream, blending it with 1920s Hollywood glamour.
TLC's 'Waterfalls' (1995) tackled AIDS and drug abuse, costing $1 million and winning Video of the Year at the VMAs — making them the first Black artists to do so. Britney Spears' '...Baby One More Time' (1998) launched her career, while Jennifer Lopez's 'Waiting for Tonight' (1999) defined the Y2K aesthetic. Eminem's 'Stan' (2000) gave us the term 'stan' and warned against parasocial obsession.
Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil' Kim, and Mya's 'Lady Marmalade' (2001) was a powerful female empowerment collab. Britney's 'Toxic' (2003) became iconic for its spy-thriller look. Beyoncé's 'Single Ladies' (2008) went viral with its dance, boosted by social media. Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance' (2009) told a cinematic story and hit 1 billion YouTube views.
Rihanna's 'S&M' (2011) flipped celebrity-press dynamics, while Katy Perry's 'Last Friday Night' (2011) featured celeb cameos and became a weekend anthem. PSY's 'Gangnam Style' (2012) was the first video to reach 1 billion views, sparking a viral dance craze. Miley Cyrus's 'Wrecking Ball' (2013) marked her transformation into a global superstar.
Beyoncé's visual album 'Lemonade' (2016) addressed infidelity, with 'Hold Up' as a cathartic anthem. Kanye West's 'Famous' (2016) caused outrage with wax figures and controversial lyrics. Taylor Swift's 'Look What You Made Me Do' (2017) symbolized her rebirth and introduced her eras. Childish Gambino's 'This Is America' (2018) examined gun violence and racism. Finally, Ariana Grande's 'Thank U, Next' (2018) broke YouTube records with 55.4 million views in 24 hours, recreating iconic movie scenes.