From the early days of his career, Kendrick Lamar’s potential as an artist was evident. If you go back and watch his early music videos, even before the release of iconic albums like “good kid, m.A.A.d city” and “Section.80”, you can see K.Dot pushing the boundaries of what a rap music video could be. Sure, there were videos of him rapping on the block or the side of a freeway, but there were also videos where he experimented with narrative and camera shots.
As Kendrick’s success grew and he gained recognition as one of the greatest rappers of all time, his music videos became more ambitious. Clearly influenced by visual masters like Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes, Kendrick aimed to make each video feel like a big budget event, filled with vivid, hyper-specific images and moments that matched the theatrical flair of his rapping.
With over 40 music videos released in the span of 15 years, Kendrick Lamar has established himself as a visionary director. Teaming up with creative partner Dave Free, who together form “the little homies”, they have become the premiere music video directors in the industry, particularly since launching pgLang in 2020.
Their latest release, the cinematic epic for the hit song “Not Like Us”, showcases all the characteristics that have defined Kendrick’s videos over the years. The video is a perfect blend of theatrics, inside references, cinematic segments, and impressionistic imagery, along with literal shots that leave a lasting impact on the viewer.
As “Not Like Us” continues to make waves, it’s a fitting time to reflect on Kendrick’s visual history. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the 25 best Kendrick Lamar music videos of all time, each showcasing his evolution as an artist and a director.