hype-williams

Hype Williams Net Worth 2024: What Is The Famed Hip Hop Music Video Director Worth?

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Hype Williams is a pivotal figure in the evolution of music video aesthetics. He has built a considerable fortune, with his net worth estimated at $14 million as of 2024, according to CelebrityNetWorth. Known for his visually distinctive and highly stylized video techniques, Williams has worked with a plethora of music’s biggest stars, helping to shape the visual landscape of hip hop and R&B music since the 1990s. His creative direction has defined a generation of music videos and elevated the art form to new heights.

Revolutionizing Music Videos: The Signature Style Of Hype Williams

Hype Williams
Busta Rhymes, Kelis and Hype on the set of Rhymes’ new video ‘What It Is’ from the upcoming album. “Violator The Album: V2.0”, directed by Hype Williams in Los Angeles, Ca. 6/6/01. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

Hype Williams began his career in the early 1990s, quickly distinguishing himself with his unique visual style that often included wide-angle shots, fisheye lens visuals, and vibrant, often surreal color palettes. His breakthrough came with his work on videos for artists like Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, and Tupac Shakur. One of his most iconic projects, the video for The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) by Missy Elliott, is hailed as a landmark in music video production, introducing techniques and visual effects ahead of their time. This innovative approach set new standards in video production and made Williams a sought-after director in the industry.

Expanding Horizons: Film & Television Ventures

Hype Williams
QUEENS, NEW YORK–APRIL 21: Rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard (Russell Jones) of The Wu-Tang Clan appears in a portrait with director. Hype Williams (aka Harold Williams)during a break in filming the music video for “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” in the Queens borough of New York City on April 21, 1995. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images).

Beyond music videos, Hype Williams has also ventured into film and television. He also directed the cult classic Belly (1998), starring DMX and Nas. Although the film received mixed reviews, it has been celebrated in later years for its artistic qualities and unique visual style, akin to his video work. Williams’ foray into narrative filmmaking demonstrated his ability to translate his video direction skills into longer-form storytelling, expanding his repertoire and influence in the entertainment world.

Lasting Impact & Current Endeavors

Hype Williams
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 06: Hype Williams speaks onstage during the WSJ. Magazine 2019 Innovator Awards sponsored by. Harry Winston and Rémy Martin at MOMA on November 06, 2019, also in New York City. (Photo by Lars Niki/Getty Images for WSJ. Magazine Innovators Awards )

Moreover, Williams has continued to innovate, embracing new technologies and techniques to keep his work relevant in an ever-changing media landscape. He has returned to music videos, working with contemporary stars. Further, he has also engaged in advertising, bringing his cinematic eye to commercials for major brands. His ongoing influence is evident as he mentors younger directors and continues to be a reference point for discussions about music video production’s artistic and commercial potential.

Hype Williams’ reflects his enduring success and influence in the music and film industries. His visionary contributions have defined a genre and continue to inspire new generations of artists and directors. As he moves forward, Williams’ legacy as a pioneer in music video direction remains secure, with his artistic and commercial achievements standing as a testament to his iconic career.

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Latto “Sunday Service”: Breaking Down The References

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Latto’s latest single “Sunday Service” has a lot involved with it. Mainly, audiences viewed it as her response track to Ice Spice’s “Think U The Sh*t (Fart).” The two artists have been throwing shade at each other in a variety of ways for the past few months. Listeners have mostly been drawing their own conclusions about what triggered this feud, especially since it appeared to bubble from nowhere. However, on the day the music video dropped, Latto cleared the air on Instagram Live, claiming the song was not a diss. Still, many feel as though this supposed beef is worth tuning into if the ladies keep it in the booth.

In 2024, virality is the name of the game when it comes to promotion and both artists took advantage of this in different ways. Ice Spice’s initial meme-based promo, unfortunately, only brought more scrutiny to her career. However, it’s clear that the song still has 2024 in a chokehold, thanks to platforms like TikTok. Meanwhile, Latto’s already had listeners in high anticipation from what many thought was the cover art alone. It featured her in a room with pictures from other women in the rap game from all generations, including a few ladies whom she supposedly has issues with. However, their eyes had black bars over them and Latto’s did too.

Read More: Latto’s Guest Verses In 2023, Ranked

Latto Channels H.E.R

When an artist pays homage to another artist, audiences see it as a sign of respect. Latto’s “Sunday Service” music video has references to other artists and the media world overall. The hook of Latto’s “Sunday Service” features the lines “I don’t sing R&B but, b*tch, I’m really her” in a creative reference to the R&B singer H.E.R. In the music video, there’s a scene where Latto’s hair is styled like hers and she’s also sporting some circular shades. This is H.E.R’s signature look, especially with the sunglasses that she once wore to conceal her identity and make people focus on her music. Now, the shades have become a part of her identity. Latto’s homage shows that she has love for artists that aren’t in her genre of music but she admires them still. This quick but effective visual reference helped enhance the creativity of Latto’s lyrics.

Latto Channels Missy Elliott

One of the most prominent artists Latto references in her music video for “Sunday Service” is Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes. In one scene, she wears a yellow leather jacket while holding a flip phone. Many artists in the early 2000s wore jackets like this from a brand called Avirex. During this moment, she raps to a fisheye camera lens, a perspective viewers have seen many times in videos from those iconic rappers. Longtime fans know this is a tried-and-true technique from director Hype Williams. He used this effect in several of his music videos, including Missy Elliott’s classic “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly).”

During the fisheye lens scene, Latto was in front of an obvious green screen. This choice doubled down on the nostalgic aspects. Many videos from that era look dated in comparison to today’s technology but it shows how far we have come. Viewers also noticed that Latto’s name and the name of the song were in the bottom left corner of the screen during this scene. This was common for music videos throughout the early 2000s, especially ones that played on music video countdown shows.

Read More: Latto Reveals Her Ultimate Dream Collaboration

Latto References Belly

Latto also paid homage to the iconic opening scene from the Hype Williams directed film Belly. The deep rich blue lighting and glowing eyes are unmistakable. Latto recreates the exact look in her music video and even replicates the slow-motion camera movement. Multiple artists have referenced this scene across the years since the film’s release in 1998. Hype Williams is an all-time legend in directing music videos. It’s a full-circle moment for his star-studded film to be referenced in music videos too. Once again, Latto has referenced the greats that paved the way for her.

Latto Stands Out

Listeners have praised Latto’s “Sunday Service” for its bars and music video. In terms of her beef with Ice Spice, they have concluded this track was miles above the one from the “Deli” rapper. Latto and her team seem committed to showcasing her at the highest level possible and the intentionality with the promo and music video for this track are a testament to that. Knowing where you come from is the only way to know where you’re going and the homage that was shown in this video shows that Latto fully understands that. 

What did you think of the video for “Sunday Service?” Let us know in the comments section.

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Jay-Z Commends Nas For “Belly,” Claims He Wasn’t Cut Out For Acting

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During a recent interview with Complex, Jay-Z addressed rumors that he was originally set to appear in Hype Williams’ 1998 film, Belly. According to him, the rumors aren’t true. He further explained why the speculation doesn’t make sense, claiming that he was too “guarded” at the time for a venture on the big screen.

“That’s a rumor. Because of how guarded I was, I hated acting,” he admitted. “This is why I don’t act, because I would get in my way. I would be thinking, ‘No, I don’t wanna do something that I ain’t gonna look cool.’” Jay-Z continued, “But you know, I was young and immature. Or I was young mentally. You know, if you see our own movies, I was in for like 30 seconds and I wasn’t even speaking.”

Read More: JAY-Z Praises Hype Williams & Says He Made “Can’t Knock the Hustle” Feel “Like Cinema”

Jay-Z Shuts Down Rumors He Was Supposed To Be In Belly

Nas.jpg” alt=”Jay-Z Commends Nas For “Belly,” Claims He Wasn’t Cut Out For Acting” class=”wp-image-725972″ srcset=”https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jay-Z-and-Nas.jpg 1024w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jay-Z-and-Nas-300×225.jpg 300w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Jay-Z-and-Nas-768×576.jpg 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” />
Jay-Z (L) performs with Nas during Jay-Z’s Concert at The Apollo on November 13, 2007 in New York. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic)

Though the Roc Nation founder wasn’t willing to dip his toe in the world of cinema, Nas was. Jay-Z went on to praise the artist for being able to pull it off. “I had no idea how Nas did that because I felt like he was in the same place as me. But he did it and he made it work,” he explained. “But I never was meant to be in Belly. I don’t even know where that came from.”

While he didn’t appear in Belly, Jay-Z did work alongside Williams for various music videos. According to Jay, getting any kind of performance out of him was a pretty significant feat. “I don’t know if I was coachable as far as a performance at that time,” he revealed. I don’t know if anyone could coach me, you know, because I was so guarded.” He adds, “I think about the early videos that I have and I listen to myself talking and it’s kind of hard for me to watch. That’s not even how I speak.” What do you think of Jay-Z praising Nas for his Belly performance? Are you surprised that he hated acting? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Jay-Z.

Read More: No I.D. Says Big Sean’s “Control” Was Originally For J. Cole & JAY-Z

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JAY-Z Praises Hype Williams & Says He Made “Can’t Knock the Hustle” Feel “Like Cinema”

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JAY-Z heaped praise on Hype Williams during a rare interview with Complex published on Wednesday. The legendary rapper says Williams’ influence was responsible for 50 percent of the success of the music at the height of his career. The topic began with JAY-Z reflecting on the making of “Can’t Knock The Hustle.”

“‘Can’t Knock The Hustle’ felt like cinema,” JAY-Z told the outlet. “We also have to talk about Malik [Haseen Sayeed], the cinematographer Hype worked with. The cinematography was just so beautiful and the way it was shot it just elevated it to another level. We weren’t spending that sort of money then to finish the pyrotechnics. So when the limousine blows up it’s really janky, you know. But the vision and the cinematography was just beautiful and his eye was just different. The combination between Hype and June [Ambrose] elevated our look and feel. I remember people talking about how great a video it was.”

Read More: Jay-Z’s Monogram Taps Hype Williams & Curren$y For New Campaign

Hype Williams At The VH1 Hip Hop Honors

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Hype Williams speaks onstage VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The 90s Game Changers at Paramount Studios on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images)

JAY-Z continued: “I would say that Hype could take credit for 50 percent of the success of the music at that time. If not 55 percent. We gave people an audio experience that they imagined in their mind and when he put those visuals to it, it took it to a whole new level. I remember hearing [Busta Rhymes’] ‘Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See’ on Hot 97 and thinking this song is crazy. We played it a thousand times that night. But when I saw the visual, I was like, oh, this is a rock n’ roll record. This is way bigger than a nice club song. This is a cultural moment for us.”

Hype Williams has directed music videos for many of the biggest artists in hip-hop over the years including Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Boyz II Men, Wu-Tang Clan, 2Pac, Busta Rhymes, and many more. He also directed the cult classic 1998 film, Belly, which starred Nas and DMX.

Read More: Hype Williams Says Jay-Z Was Next Up For “Belly” Lead Role

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Hype Williams’ 7 Best Music Videos

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From a graffiti artist in Queens to a well-accomplished filmmaker, Hype Williams is an icon in the Hip Hop scene. The legendary director has undoubtedly been one of the most sought-after creative geniuses in the music industry for decades. Born Harold Williams, he rose to acclaim thanks to his ingenuity, as well as his impressive storytelling shorts. A classic example of his creativity and uniqueness is the music video for Busta Rhymes’ “Woo Hah.” Williams masterfully showcased his genius, giving birth to the cartoonishly magnified viewpoint of the rap songs from that era.

His work is known for its innovative visuals, high-energy editing, and star power. Williams’ clientele also cuts across some of the biggest names in Hip Hop and R&B, including The Notorious B.I.G., TLC, Missy Elliott, and Beyoncé. Overall, his work has had a lasting impact on the music video industry, and his videos continue to be enjoyed by many. Specifically, it is his artistic mind that earned him a 2017 recognition at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors, as well as BET’s Best Director Award. Here are seven of Hype Williams’ best music videos:

Read More: Jay-Z’s Monogram Taps Hype Williams & Curren$y For New Campaign

7. The Notorious B.I.G. – “Big Poppa” (1994)

“Big Poppa” is one of the most iconic Hip Hop singles of all time. The song firmly helped establish Biggie’s reign as a singular influence in hip-hop. Moreover, the video is focused primarily on the Notorious B.I.G., the party, and the crowd to highlight what it means to be Big Poppa. The legend is seen in a variety of lush settings, from a private lounge to a mansion. Williams’ use of slow-motion and close-ups helps to create a sense of wealth, status, and power. The video also features cameo appearances from Sean Combs, Busta Rhymes, and Mary J Blige. Indeed, on paper, it’s a regular video about living the fast life. However, Williams’ direction tells a succinct story about who would later become one of the greatest MCs of all time. 

Read More: Nicki Minaj Drops Off New Hype Williams-Directed Video For “Barbie Dreams”

6. Beyonce – “Drunk in Love” (2013)

Hype Williams has said that Beyoncé is his favorite artist to make videos for. The Grammy-winning “Drunk in Love” is a testament to their respective collaborative genius. The video uses a single location shot on the beach in Miami, as the two bounce off each other’s energies. In this simplistic, yet groundbreaking video, Hype Williams utilized close-up shots to evoke a sense of sensuality and desire. Beyoncé herself has also shared that the music video is one of her most personal, as it was her at her freest, at the time. In a chat with Out Magazine, she revealed that she didn’t want to overthink the video, and “really just tried to trust our instincts, embrace the moment, and keep it fun.” This evidently proved successful, as the music video is one of the most-watched in Williams’ catalog, with over 700 million YouTube views.

Read More: Hype Williams Compares “This Is America” To Nas & Diddy’s “Hate Me Now”

5. Kanye West – “Stronger”(2007)

Earning a diamond plaque in 2021, “Stronger” is a powerful and moving video that tells the story of Kanye West’s recovery in a technological medical facility. The video features West located in Japan, including in a hospital bed and a facility basement. In this iconic video, Hype Williams opted for symbolism and fade-out sequences. Consequently, this helped create a sense of emotional flashbacks and vulnerability.

Read More: Hype Williams’ 10 Dopest Old School Music Videos

4. TLC – “No Scrubs” (1999)

“No Scrubs” is a classic women’s empowerment anthem that still resonates today with its fun and catchy hook. The music video features TLC rejecting men who don’t meet their standards. To create this gem, Hype Williams used grayscale colors in order to make the singers pop. This helped create a captivating and empowering atmosphere where the singer looked and felt in control. The video also features a dance routine that is still imitated today, which is a testament to its legacy. 

3. Kanye West – “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” (2005)

The music video for “Can’t Tell Me Nothing” is an emotional and eye-opening one. It features Kanye West rapping about the strife of the oppressed and various institutions of the oppressor. The video covers the architectural layout of Prague, the oppressor, and their fondness for diamonds, as well as children in the background with bloody dark pupils. Williams uses black & white editing to emphasize certain emotions across the video and also to depict the race lens at the time.

2. 2Pac – “California Love” Ft. Dr. Dre (1995)

This West Coast anthem features 2Pac and Dr. Dre rapping about the beauty and danger of California. In the timeless video, the pair are seen saving women from the villains. The video immaculately embodies the set and styling of the 1985 Mad Max movie. Hype Williams also uses his storytelling expertise to expand on the partying and club lifestyle in the City of Angels. Furthermore, the use of both wide and aerial shots helps capture the “Wild West” theme. It is undeniably one of Williams’ most memorable videos in existence.

1. Missy Elliott – “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” (1997)

Missy Elliot has been at the forefront of innovative music videos since her debut. Notably, “The Rain” was a groundbreaking track from Missy’s 1997 album, Supa Dupa Fly. Consequently, the music video could also be argued to have helped launch her career as a visual artist. It was also Missy Elliott’s first project with Hype Williams. The video showed Missy rapping and dancing in a variety of futuristic and surreal settings. Most notably, the inflated black leather suit she dons remains a piece of pop culture over the decades. Elliott has since revealed the hilarious tidbit about the iconic suit. Williams’ use of special effects and innovative camera angles helped to create a visually stunning music video way ahead of its time.

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8 Things We Learned From Tyler, the Creator’s Wide-Ranging ‘All Star Series’ Interview

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  • Artists need “cheerleading” to keep them going, like Jasper did for Tyler

  • Tyler believes the internet “ramped up” in 2016, making surprises harder to pull off

  • He’s not a fan of artists using snippets to crowdsource their creative process

  • The NFT space isn’t of interest to him

  • Tyler saw Kanye “building up” to ‘Dark Twisted Fantasy’ as far back as Trina’s “B R Right” in ’02

  • Tyler, the Creator made an “indie rock” album in 2012

  • He says Hype Williams’ greatness was “hindered” after early reactions to ‘Belly’

  • Tyler shares his thoughts on Ye’s Black Future Month