The best videos of the week include selections from Drake, Meek Mill, Jorja Smith, Victoria Monét, Ray Vaughn, and more. 

It’s New Music Friday again and we’re here to share a lineup of videos we’re into that feature compelling elements.

Up first is Bobby Shmurda’s six-minute visual for his newest single “No Time For Sleep Freestyle.” In it he’s taking a militaristic approach as he shares a biting freestyle, he’s surrounded by female bandits who are assisting him with a hostage. Firearms are involved in the cinematic clip, and so are bombs, a secret hide-out, and more. We’re here for the energy displayed for the entire video. 

Drake surprise-dropped a video for “Way 2 Sexy” featuring Future and Young Thug off of Certified Lover Boy to kick off everyone’s holiday weekend. In it there’s a nod to an old Boyz II Men video, we’re guessing it was “Let It Snow” when they appeared in mostly white? Then there’s a gym scene that’s reminiscent of a moment in John Travolta’s Saturday Night Fever. 

Next up is Isaiah Rashad’s visual for his single “Chad.” While the track features a melodic chorus, the video leans into a dark theme. Rashad raps for a lot of it, but the video mainly centers around a gas station that has shady schemes going on behind closed doors. These internal schemes are seen in the clip as bodies pile up and are then seemingly hidden. If you watch close enough, you’ll see the cashier hand goods to a customer rather than having them pay for it (strange).

Meek Mill has to be up to something (he keeps dropping music), our guess is he’s prepping to release an album. His video drop this week caught our eye due to how it consisted of quite a few different shots: close-ups, action shots, and photographs that evoke emotion. The scene highlighting him on a motorcycle was shot beautifully. There’s also a street light that appears to be on fire, we’re wondering whose idea that was to include it throughout the video. Lastly, “Blue Notes 2” proves Meek and Lil Uzi Vert are a pair well fit to trade bars.

Victoria Monét's “Coastin” video is a good time. For the visual, she’s joined by social media comedian Ricky Thompson who is a hilarious manager/waiter/cook. Since she’s one of the leading voices in R&B at the moment, it feels good to watch Victoria explore choreography, being the centerpiece of scenes and exuding BDE. Jaguar Pt. 2 is coming too!