Finals season brings its fair share of stress, but one thing I look forward to every year is the release of Spotify Wrapped. It’s more than just a recap of my year in music—it feels like my annual psychoanalysis, revealing patterns in my listening habits that often surprise me.
Despite my ever-changing taste in music, one artist consistently makes it into my most-played list is A$AP Rocky. While he’s widely celebrated for his influence in music and fashion, one of his talents that often goes underappreciated is his creative vision for music videos. These videos do more than just accompany his songs—they transform them into multidimensional works of art, merging music with visual storytelling.
One of his most memorable music videos is for “A$AP Forever”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNzc6hG3yN4
Before taking this course, I enjoyed the video purely for its visuals. Now, with a deeper understanding of editing, framing, and cinematography, I appreciate it even more. The video starts with a mesmerizing sequence of nonstop reframing: each shot transitions seamlessly into the next. For instance, the sequence begins with the camera “entering” a screen in the background of the first shot, transporting us into a second shot. This quickly reframes into a traffic sign in the third. The entire transition between these three shots happens in just 2-3 seconds. This rapid editing continues for about a minute, with each frame carrying meaning that aligns perfectly with the lyrics.
In the second half of the song, the visuals take a dramatic turn as Moby’s part begins. The shift starts with an extreme close-up, pulling us into the “city” reflected in A$AP Rocky’s eyes. The music softens, and the visuals become dreamlike, creating a surreal, almost drug-like effect that mirrors the high described in the song. It’s a visceral experience that pulls the viewer into Rocky’s world.
Another video worth mentioning is for his song “L$D”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEG2VTHS9yg
The visuals in “L$D” are extremely vibrant, perfectly capturing the song’s psychedelic themes. The colors, framing, and pacing create an immersive, almost hypnotic experience that feels like a natural extension of the music.
These are just a few examples of A$AP Rocky’s brilliance as a visual storyteller. His music videos are more than just promotional material—they are integral to his artistry. If you haven’t yet, I definitely recommend diving into his visual catalog.