Copyright Parade
Music videos have evolved from promotional clips into evocative and emotion-inducing cinematic, sonic stories. At this year’s Grammys, the nominees in the Best Music Video category reflect that evolution, offering diverse aesthetics and genre‑bending direction. The Recording Academy recently recognized the Grammys’ 2026 Best Music Video nominees—Sabrina Carpenter, Clipse, Doechii, OK Go, and Sade—for their outstanding work, celebrating their strategic storytelling, striking visuals, and the stylistic innovation that has set each video apart. The award will go to the artist, as well as to the video director and video producer. Here’s a look at the videos vying for the award, so you can see for yourself how they are pushing the boundaries of the music‑video format—from intimate, introspective storytelling to visually explosive performances. 1. “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” music video was directed by Vania Heymann and Gal Muggia and produced by Aiden Magarian, Nathan Scherrer, and Natan Schottenfels. The song is a playful yet pointed critique of immature partners, and the video chronicles Carpenter on a hitch-hiking trip across the desert, where she encounters a series of “man children.” The deeper message is ultimately an exploration of her own personal growth and self-reflection. 2. “So Be It” – Clipse “So Be It” by Clipse was directed by Hannan Hussain and produced by Daniel Order. It’s a gritty, cinematic portrayal of resilience and loyalty. The video—shot in black‑and‑white and featuring Pusha T and No Malice standing beside luxury cars and an opulent mansion—complements Clipse’s storytelling with sharp symbolism. The video visualizes both struggle and triumph. 3. “Anxiety” – Doechii “Anxiety” by Doechii was directed by James Mackel and produced by Pablo Feldman, Jolene Mendes, and Sophia Sabella. The video offers a visceral, vivid portrayal of living with anxiety—the racing thoughts, the chest‑tightness, the feeling of being watched. It serves as an expressive depiction of mental health, with creative editing that illustrates the inner experience of emotional complexity. 4. “Love” – OK Go “Love” by OK Go—directed by Aaron Duffy, Miguel Espada, and Damian Kulash Jr., and produced by Petra Ahmann—is a performance of eye-popping props and perfectly synchronized choreography. The video makes for a mesmerizing work of art that conveys the connection and kaleidoscopic chaos of love. 5. “Young Lion” – Sade Sade’s “Young Lion” was directed by Sophie Muller and produced by both Sade and Aaron Taylor Dean. The moody music video is a minimalist, meditative visualization—a compilation of nostalgia-inducing clips—that reflects themes of introspection and quiet strength.
