The sunny and colorful city of Miami has caught the eyes of filmmakers and recording artists who seek the perfect setting for their music videos.
Maybe it’s the summer-like atmosphere, the partying spirit or the cultural diversity that makes the Magic City work for colorful, uplifting videos. Full of vibrant visuals and intense dancing, these five music videos showcase the beauty of Miami and its residents.
“Wild Thoughts” by DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiler
The Caribbean Marketplace
212-260 NE 59th Terrace
Miami
Directed by Colin Tilley, the music video for “Wild Thoughts” follows the DJ and record producer DJ Khaled, the Barbadian singer Rihanna, American singer Bryson Tiller and the residents of Little Haiti at the Caribbean Marketplace. Featuring colorful outfits, Haitian flags, unchoreographed dancing and the tropical night of Little Haiti, “Wild Thoughts” pays tribute to the 1999 classic “Maria Maria” by Carlos Santana and The Product G&B. This celebration of the Haitian community in Miami has attracted more than 1 billion views on YouTube.
“God’s Plan” by Drake
University of Miami’s Donna E. Shalala Student Center
1330 Miller Drive
Miami
This Karena Evans-directed music video shows Canadian rapper Drake donating money to random residents around different parts of Miami. The music video opens letting the audience know that Drake gave away the budget of almost $1 million. The rapper dances atop of the University of Miami’s Donna E. Shalala Student Center while students sing along. Drake buys groceries for several families, surprises residents with stacks of cash and gives a $50,000 scholarship to a University of Miami student. This music video, which highlights acts of kindness and happy Miamians, has more than 1.4 billion views on YouTube.
“New Rules” by Dua Lipa
The Confidante
4041 Collins Ave.
Miami Beach
This music video, directed by Henry Scholfield, follows the British singer Dua Lipa and her eight backup dancers at The Confidante hotel in Miami Beach. “New Rules” centers around a female friend group and the rules they have to follow after a breakup. Dua Lipa starts learning the rules from her friends and ends up teaching them to someone else. The sunny and colorful visuals of the Miami hotel help the elegant dancing and the pastel outfits create the perfect summer setting. The music video, in which the group of friends walk over water at The Confidante’s outdoor pool, has attracted more than 2.7 billion viewers.
The graffiti and street art at the outdoor museum Wynwood Walls were the main attractions of Nick Jonas’ music video for “Chains (The Wynwood Walls Edition)” (Sidney Peralta/SFMN)
“Chains (The Wynwood Walls Edition)” by Nick Jonas
Wynwood Walls
266 NW 26th St.
Miami
The outdoor street art museum Wynwood Walls is the main attraction of Nick Jonas’ second music video for his song “Chains.” While the single’s first video has a serious, darker approach, the second one, directed by Black Coffee and Peter Tunney, features the characteristic colorful graffiti of Wynwood, fluorescent lights, the area’s famous rickshaws and people dancing and covering each other in paint. “Chains” reflects the most young, colorful, party-like atmosphere of Wynwood.
“Colors” by Jason Derulo and Maluma
Riccardo Silva Stadium
11310 SW 17th St.
Miami
The Colombian singer Maluma joins Miramar-born singer Jason Derulo for the bilingual 2018 World Cup track titled “Colors.” The music video, shot at Florida International University’s Riccardo Silva Stadium, invites the viewers to put “hands up for your colors.” Directed by Jessy Terrero, the video features colorful waving flags, kids excitedly playing with soccer balls and a choreographed dance by women representing different countries. “Colors” celebrates the unity and diversity of soccer fans from around the world.
