7 of the Most Controversial Music Videos of All Time
From Madonna to Lil Nas X, these artists caused a big stir in their visuals.
Recently, Lil Nas X sparked controversy with the release of his music video for "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)." The video featured the rapper descending into Hell on a stripper pole and giving the Devil a lap dance. Lil Nas X is no stranger to viral moments, and controversy in music visuals is not a strange occurence in the music world - in fact, it's what puts a lot of artists on the map. From overtly sexual performances to condemning the Catholic Church, here are some of the most infamous controversial music videos of the past few decades.
Madonna, “Like A Prayer” (1989)
Nirvana, "Heart-Shaped Box" (1993)
From feces to Klu Klux Klan imagery, Nirvana's 1993 music video for "Heart-Shaped Box" and its grotesque imagery shocked its viewers.
Christina Aguilera, “Dirrty” (2002)
Today, Aguilera’s iconic “Dirrrty” look may be a regular celebrity Halloween costume and its raunchiness may not hit as hard as it did back then compared to music videos now. But back in the early 2000s, Aguilera’s music video was met with commotion among fans, and complaints from critics. Time magazine mocked Aguilera’s appearance in the video, saying she looked like she had come “direct from an intergalactic hooker convention. (She earned that extra r).”
Tyler, The Creator "Yonkers" (2011)
Tyler, The Creator's song "Yonkers" took shots at just about everyone, from Bruno Mars to Stevie Wonder. His music video lived up to the controversy sparked in his lyrics, with unsettling visuals that depict Tyler's silhouette as he vomits, eats a cockroach, and stages his suicide.
Rihanna "S&M" (2011)
With lyrics about chains and whips and "sex in the air," the music video for "S&M" was expectedly risqué. Along with fetish props and a sex doll, Rihanna leads Perez Hilton around on a dog leash. The sexual subject matter caused the video to be banned in 11 countries.
Kanye West, “Famous” (2016)
In typical Kanye West fashion, the video for “Famous” caused a stir. The video depicts wax figures of nude celebrities in bed, including long term feud Taylor Swift as well as other people like Donald Trump.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, "WAP" (2020)
"WAP" undoubtedly made a huge splash in 2020. Not only did the lyrics push the envelope—enough to provoke conservative Presidential candidates, Fox news anchors, and send the Internet into a tailspin—but the accompanying music video added fuel to the fire. Overt sexiness was on full display, and even Kylie Jenner made an appearence. That just about broke the Internet.