To start, this year-end list is not in any specific order. Rather, it’s 20 music videos I loved this year. Now, you’ll look at some of the artists and think “WTF,” but this is a music video list, people. Shitty artists still have the ability to put out great videos. Anyway, I’ll keep it brief. Hit the jump for a multimedia explosion, and don’t forgot to gripe in my direction, telling me which ones I left off the list.

[ Previous Year-End Lists: Top 10 Live Shows of 2011 | Top 10 Disappointing Albums | Top 10 Worst Lil Wayne Lyrics ]

-grizzly

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Battles – “Ice Cream”
Director: Canada

Let’s ease into this list, shall we? It should be fairly obvious why this video’s here.

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The Black Keys – “Lonely Boy”
Starring: Derrick Tuggle

The modified Carlton dance made this video a viral hit – and it was only a teaser video. At this point in time, why even bother creating a real music video?

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Childish Gambino – “Freaks and Geeks”
Director: Dan Eckman

One-take videos always get a little leeway, but this one was just so perfectly minimalist and worked so well with the song. Donald might need to work on the lip-syncing a bit, but he put the red American Apparel hoodie back on the map.

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Chris Brown feat. Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne – “Look At Me Now”
Director: Colin Tilley

Chris Brown might be a gigantic piece of shit, but this video is great. Can’t deny those moves, right?

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Chromeo – “When The Night Falls”
Director: Daniels

Chromeo was listening to all of everyone’s recurring jokes: their songs get the ladies pregnant. And the execution is as hilarious and as memorable as you’d expect. And the suits, Dave-1!

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Duck Sauce – “Big Bad Wolf”
Director: Keith Schofield

For all intents and purposes, this could very well be on the “worst videos of 2011” list as well.

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Fat Tony – “Nigga You Ain’t Fat”
Director: Joey Graham

Our friend Tony takes you on a ride full of hallucinations of food, sluts, and DJ Ipod Ammo goin’ to town on some ice cream. And guys, don’t forget to buy RABDARGAB.

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Kanye West & Jay-Z – “Otis”
Director: Spike Jonze

When’s the last time you’ve seen Kanye West have fun in a music video? When was the FIRST time you’ve ever seen two rappers completely destroy a Maybach?

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Katy Perry – “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)”
Director: Marc Klasfield

Not only does she enlist Kenny G, Rebecca Black, Hanson, Corey Feldman and some Glee nerds for the video, but Klasfield and her do a great job of capturing the essence of John Hughes, the obvious influence here.

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Kid Cudi & Cage – “MANIAC”
Director: Shia Labeouf

Not exactly a music video, but you’re not the boss of me. Even Stevens did a fantastic job with this one.

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The Killers – “The Cowboy’s Christmas Ball”
Director: Robert Schober

The Killers keeps the yearly tradition of a Christmas song alive, but in the process, drop one of the most carefree and fun videos of the year. Brandon Flowers does his best Ryan Gosling and gets Rico Suave with it.

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letlive. – “Renegade ’86”
Director:

Both the street and stage performance aspects of this video shine on their own. Jason does a great job of trolling the streets of the UK with his berserk energy, and the band caps it off with an equal ruckus on the stage.

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LMFAO – “Party Rock Anthem”
Director: Mickey Finnegan

This song is incredible. And the video’s even better. I’ve probably watched this shit 20 times and still can’t shuffle properly. Not to mention, this is a zombie apocalypse we can all get down with. ONE DAY.

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M83 – “Midnight City”
Director: Fleur & Manu

Y’all like Close Encounters of the Third Kind? So do these guys.

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Mayer Hawthorne – “The Walk”
Director: Martin Weisz

Mayer Hawthorne channels Mr. & Mrs. Smith for the stellar video for probably the best song on How Do You Do. And that girl’s mighty fine.

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MUTEMATH – “Odd Soul”
Director: Claire Marie Vogel

MUTEMATH come back with a vengeance. New sound, new soulful energy and an incredible visual to accompany all of the above.

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The Niceguys – “Die Later”
Director: Evesborough Films

Truth be told, I could’ve chosen the videos for “Toast” or “Ari Gold” and it could replace this one on the list. Those Evesborough guys work hard as hell, and get just as much credit for putting The Niceguys on the visual map. Looking forward to the “Ari Gold (Remix)” video.

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Raphael Saadiq – “Daydreams”
Director: Bret McKenzie

Bret from Flight of the Conchords behind the camera, and Danny Pudi (Abed, Community) in front of the camera. Throw in the increasingly stylish Raphael Saadiq in the mix, and you have “Daydreams,” and quite the jig.

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Robyn – “Call Your Girlfriend”
Director: Max Vitali

It came down to this or Beyonce’s “Countdown” for my ‘girl power’ entry on this list, and Robyn came out the victor. She completely bosses in this clip.

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Tyler, The Creator – “Yonkers”
Director: Wolf Haley

My disdain for Tyler is superseded by my appreciation for one of the better videos of the year. And hell, it didn’t even take a budget.

That’s all folks! Stay tuned for more.