Hype Williams may have only directed four videos in 2014, but that doesn't mean we can't all remember a time when every dope hip-hop video seemed to have Hype's fingerprints on it. Countless legendary MCs collaborated with Hype Williams, including the likes of Jay Z, Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Busta Rhymes and A Tribe Called Quest, and also R&B stars like Blackstreet, Aaliyah, Usher and Mary J. Blige. He is definitely the most prolific video director in the hip-hop world.
Hype was born Harold Williams in Queens, New York, and actually got the nickname Hype from his graffiti tag. Influenced by the likes of Keith Haring and Basquiat, it is easy to see how Williams take the artistry of directing visual content to a new level. Anyone who was lucky enough to witness some of his heyday can attest to the fact that there isn't anything or anyone out there quite like Hype Williams.
So today we take a look back at some of his old-school cuts. You won't see any Kanye West or Nicki Minaj on this list, but the '90s and early '00s videos posted are undisputed classics. Enjoy.
