Who should win best music video of the year?

Handicapping the Grammy nominees

The Carters.
(Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube)

If you like things that are safe and familiar, I have some bad news for you about the 2019 Grammy nominees for Best Music Video. Ranging from provocative to controversial to borderline offensive, the five contenders will make you uncomfortable. But they also may wow you. (Let's just say we've come a long way in the last four decades.)

Unfortunately, they can't all be winners. Here is the case for each video, ranked from the worst of the 2019 nominees to the best. (Be advised that the videos below contain strong language, graphic violence, and other suggestive imagery).

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.