Rap videos usually suck. Most of them are unwatchable nonsense. Aris Jerome’s are an exception. His videos are 
crisper, more professional, and just a great deal better than your average ultra messy vid. Hit the jump for three of my favorites: Pack-member Young L’s “Loud Pockets,” Mistah Fab’s “Boom Bap,” and Young Dunnyz’s “Swagg is Terrific.”Loud Pockets
The video for “Cat Daddy” made a pretty good use of the pop-up animated words to accompany the absurdity that is that song, but here Jerome elevates the technique. His animations, no longer limited to words, surround Young L who is just chilling out in a throne, and there’s something hilarious and clever about the way the various elements come together. My favorite bits are the inexplicable creatures that apparently escaped from some druggy animated kids show to serve as back up dancers, and when the actual dancer chick becomes a cyclops for half a second at 1:39.
Boom Bap
Besides the fact that Mistah Fab kills this song, the video is a classy black and white pan across Fab rapping, his DJ working the wheels of steel, and a really great street dancer I wish got more time. Regardless, the vid takes a pretty basic concept and makes a video that keeps your attention focused on the artistry of hip-hop that the song extols.
Swagg is Terrific
So this vid is essentially just a cleaner, higher quality version of your standard video in which the rappers in question bounce around in front of their car with their friends and kick rhymes. Jerome’s definitely come a long way since this came out, but the song is too classic to be denied. Young Dunnyz’s dance moves will definitely be coming out on the Street this year, and the hook, especially when they hit that “Swag is terriiffiiiccc!” is absolutely gorgeous. It’s my new thing.
