Jennifer Lopez , who turned 53 today, has appeared in over 50music videos throughout her career.- Insider reporters ranked all of her solo
music videos, including her English and Spanish singles.
In honor of Jennifer Lopez's birthday, Insider
Here is our definitive ranking of Lopez's videography, from her least impressive effort to her most iconic one.
51."Alive" (2002)
"Alive" is the classic movie music video to end all movie music videos, with scenes of the 2002 film "Enough" shown so prominently that they literally invade the screen. It makes sense, as the song was inspired by the movie, which she starred in, and was originally meant to be on the film's soundtrack.
However, the end result felt more like a confusing, abbreviated version of the film rather than an actual music video. — Ayomikun Adekaiyero
50. "Booty" featuring Iggy Azalea (2014)
The video starts with an unnecessarily big build-up to a shot of a woman's butt in a bikini. As the song begins, the video tries to hypnotize the audience by hitting it with so many short clips of both Lopez and Iggy Azalea's bottoms that the image gets burned into your retinas.
It feels like this video was made to be scandalous for the time, but in hindsight, it's tame and unimpressive. — AA
49. "On My Way (TELYKast Remix)" (2022)
This video feels like a bad modern reboot of the '80s film "Weird Science."
TELYKast member Trevor Klaiman and Kyle Tonoli give cringeworthy acting performances as they use a VR generator to conjure up Lopez to collaborate with them in the video. The glowing futuristic backgrounds when Lopez appears are interesting but this gives way to boring shots of a crowd at one of TELYKast's performances. — AA
48. "Feel the Light" (2015)
Lopez looks gorgeous from head to toe in the video for "Feel the Light," and we know that its theme is based off of the movie "Home," but it's still awkward watching her sing alone in space and copy strange choreography alongside cartoon characters. — Esme Mazzeo
47. "Te Guste" featuring Bad Bunny (2018)
"Te Guste" is like a lot of modern music videos that attempt to sell a single purely based on the attractiveness of the artists. There isn't much to this video other than Lopez and Bad Bunny trying to be sexy while posing and dancing to the music.
The golden sun background is the most beautiful part, but it doesn't carry the video very far. — AA
46."Ni Tú Ni Yo" featuring Gente de Zona (2017)
In the video for "Ni Tú Ni Yo," Lopez basically just dances and poses in a bunch of tropical settings while men ogle her and take her picture.
All of her looks are gorgeous, but at times the vibe is creepy. — EM
45. "First Love" (2014)
The "Hustlers" star is channeling a perfume ad heroine in the "First Love" video, complete with the black-and-white film and dramatic monologue in the beginning. Her leading man is worthy of such an ad, too.
But five minutes is a long time to watch people writhe around in the desert sharing intimate moments. — EM
44. "Baila" (1998)
"Baila" was released in 1998 and has vibes from that era. It's Lopez's first official video, which isn't hard to guess. It's also low-concept; there isn't much entertainment value in watching her sing and dance around on very simple sets in front of a vintage microphone.
But throwbacks and nostalgia have value, too. So, it's not the lowest on our list. — EM
43. "Same Girl" (2014)
The "Same Girl" song has a similar theme as "Jenny From the Block," but it's not as catchy. The video finds Lopez back on the streets and rooftops of New York as she tells us she's the "same girl" she was before fame.
It's sweet to watch her walk the streets of what we're guessing is the Bronx — where her family is from — and ride the subways as excited fans look on. But there's nothing too unique to make it stand out.
2014 J.Lo could've done better. — EM
42. "Fresh Out the Oven" featuring Pitbull (2009)
For "Fresh Out The Oven," clips are used repetitively as an attempt to be hypnotizing, but it just ends up being annoying. It's not a total fail, though. There is a unique homage to "Nightmare on Elm Street" and Lopez reveals a sultry side to her with her red lipstick and short messy blonde hair. Unfortunately, overall, the video feels like a weird mind trip. — AA
41. "Dance Again" featuring Pitbull (2012)
Ironically, the best part of "Dance Again" is when Lopez actually gets to dance halfway through a song, a fact made clear by YouTube indicating that it's the most replayed section of the song.
Lopez has insane chemistry with her dancing partner, and the pair's interaction draws the audience in. The video is ultimately let down by the stranger elements: Much of the first part of the song is focused on Lopez joining what appears to be a floating orgy. — AA
40. "Let's Get Loud" (2000)
The "Let's Get Loud" music video is a live performance from 2000 that was released as an official video. It's a vibrant performance with a lot of moving parts, including a live band and dancers. But everyone's wardrobe is basic compared to Lopez's usual standards, and it's unclear why this particular performance was deemed worthy enough to watch from a couch. — EM
39. "Play" (2001)
Almost every pop artist has a perplexing futuristic music video that is brought down by terrible CGI backgrounds.
That is one of the only ways to describe "Play."
The video is energetic but looks so artificial that it almost touches the uncanny valley, an unsettling negative emotional response to an avatar or robot that looks almost like a human. — AA
38. "In the Morning" (2021)
This video is stunning on a surface level, from Lopez's metallic and angelic outfits to the magnificent backgrounds that almost feel like they've been inspired by a painting you'd see in the Louvre.
However, "In The Morning" doesn't really tell us anything, and whatever the vision for the video was, it went over my head. — AA
37. "Ain't It Funny" (2001)
It is undeniable that the Murder Remixes, hip-hop remixes of Lopez's hit songs by Murder Inc. Records, outshine the original songs they're based on. The same can be said for the Murder Remix music videos. The original "Ain't It Funny" video, which is filmed in a sepia tone, shows Lopez joining a group of travelers and falling for a hot man.
As someone who is not part of Romani culture, I cannot comment on whether the video is offensive or cultural appreciation. However, the extended dance scenes really fit the lively Latin pop element of the song. — AA
36. "I'm Into You" featuring Lil Wayne (2011)
Lopez just cuddles on the beach with a fictional lover during most of the video for "I'm Into You" and there's nothing too spectacular about it. There is really unique choreography in the dance break, which is the standout moment, but it's unclear why Lopez's song "Papi" plays in that moment instead of the song the video is actually for. — EM
35. "Marry Me" (2022)
The music video for the ballad version of "Marry Me" is a nice change of pace for Lopez — she releases more uptempo songs than pure ballads. There isn't much going on conceptually in the video, and it's difficult to tell if Lopez is meant to be herself or her character from the movie of the same name, Kat Valdez, who is a famous singer that marries a stranger on an impulse. — EM
34. "Emotions" (2014)
"Emotions" is one of Lopez's more stripped-back music videos on this list. The black-and-white video mostly consists of Lopez singing with a pianist while wearing a New York cap, heels, ripped jeans, and a bomber jacket.
As a music video, it is rather boring, but it really lets the song do the talking and, excuse the pun, lets you feel Lopez's emotions. — AA
33. "Do It Well" (2007)
It's difficult to tell whether we're meant to take "Do It Well" seriously or if it's supposed to be one giant joke.
In the video, Lopez has to fight her way through a seedy underground club to save a child slave but the dance-fighting in this scenario comes off as incredibly corny. The attempt to make the club seem shady is undermined by random cuts of Lopez singing to the camera and the obvious PG rating.
On the one hand, the video is more creative and interesting than just objectifying Lopez, which happens in a lot of others on this list. However, the content doesn't fit the song and it is very confusing what the vision was for this video. — AA
32. "I'm Real" (2001)
This music video's biggest sin is that almost none of it feels genuinely Lopez, which completely contradicts the lyrics of the song. When has Lopez been a biker? Why is she in a random small town rather than in the Bronx? What's with the weird CGI animated stage in the desert? The only parts that feel "real" at all are when Lopez is interacting with children or dancing. — AA
31. "I'm Gonna Be Alright" (2002)
Conceptually, the music video for "I'm Gonna Be Alright" most clearly resembled a video she released just a year before — "I'm Real (Murder Remix)." Lopez has actually released a few videos full of scenes of her having random experiences in the city. This video doesn't do much to set itself apart from others with the same theme. That said, the video does have a classic J.Lo feel that's comforting to watch. — EM
30. "Cambia el Paso" featuring Rauw Alejandro (2021)
The beach is the main character yet again in Lopez's 2021 video for "Cambia El Paso." She's just a woman who wants to dance — either on the beach, in the water, or on the streets of a beach town at night.
There's a vintage vibe that sets the video apart from all of her other beachy-themed videos, and it evokes the '80s. Plus, visual effects make it look worn in some places, which is interesting. The concept is basic, but that's okay when the ambiance is right. — EM
29. "Dinero" featuring DJ Khaled and Cardi B (2018)
Lopez, Cardi B, and DJ Khaled spend a night in an extravagant mansion for 2018's "Dinero." Of course, they are surrounded by beautiful people. But it's mostly fun to watch to see how excessive the scenes can get.
An early scene features a bedazzled bowling ball, and then of course there are all the exotic animals — a peacock, an elephant, and an ostrich make appearances. But the star of the film is the unicorn at the end for sure. It almost makes us forget about the odd Jersey Mike's product placement. — EM
28. "Get Right" (2005)
There doesn't seem to be much of a reason for Lopez to play multiple characters interacting with each other at a nightclub in the "Get Right" music video, but we're not complaining.
It's great to see Lopez lose herself in each of the different clones, compared to other videos where the superstar is clearly being herself. The video is memorable, rewatchable, and includes some impressive choreography. If only it made a bit more sense. — AA
27. "Live It Up" featuring Pitbull (2013)
Lopez's video for her 2013 collaboration with Pitbull — "Live It Up" — is chaotic. But it's impossible to be mad about that, because it's so much fun.
J.Lo is giving us "Black Swan" vibes for the scenes of the photoshoot in Paris. And when she finally makes it to Miami, she dares to wear yellow lipstick like no one else in the world could. It is confusing why the collaborators spend so much screentime apart, but that's not as confounding as the sets featuring Lopez on the swing or surrounded by lasers. — EM
26. "Goin' In" featuring Flo Rida (2012)
The "Goin' In" video really has no concept at all, but it's visually stunning and the fast pace makes it hard to stop watching no matter what.
Anything that experiments with color is captivating to watch. Plus, how could we not be intrigued by the setup that featured Lopez wearing a pink cape with bedazzled lips? Surrounded by wolves, she's definitely giving "Little Red Riding Hood" vibes for no reason at all. That's iconic. — EM
25. "Limitless" (2018)
On first watch, the connection seems almost non-existent between the "Limitless" music video and the Lopez movie it's from, 2018's "Second Act." The video seems to have an empowering or feminist theme about women fighting to climb to the top and making a change.
However, that message is lost behind the distracting CGI and a reoccurring shot of Lopez appearing in the skies like she is Mufasa from "The Lion King." — AA
24. "On The Floor" featuring Pitbull (2011)
The majority of the "On the Floor" music video is set in a club, which is very apt for the 2011 song that went on to become a club classic.
The two artists in the song, Lopez and Pitbull, lord over the room in opposite VIP sections. Lopez looks like royalty as she drapes over her couch in a gold dress. Meanwhile, Pitbull is literally sitting on a throne surrounded by women covered in gold and black glitter paint.
Despite the remarkable visuals, the video couldn't be placed higher due to the strange storyline and the fact that it feels like an ad for at least five different products. — AA
23. "Amor, Amor, Amor" featuring Wisin (2017)
Who doesn't like a dance-off? That's the main concept for "Amor, Amor, Amor," which is from Lopez's second Spanish album "Por Primera Vez." The setting is what makes the video stand out, with neon signs and a smoky atmosphere selling the underground club vibe.
It gets some negative points for being a sly ad for "World of Dance," a dancing reality series produced by and starring Lopez as a judge that aired from 2017 to 2020 on NBC. — AA
22. "Medicine" featuring French Montana (2019)
The music video for Lopez's 2019 single "Medicine" is fascinating, creepy, and utterly bizarre. Lopez stars as the ringleader of an eerie carnival, complete with fortune tellers, fire-tamers, and a bodybuilder all dressed in glorious white within an abyss of darkness.
There isn't really much of a story to this music video. However, the stylish scenery and Lopez's range of gorgeous outfits make up for that. Lopez also gets to show off her pole dancing skills from her film "Hustlers," which would be released later that year. — AA
21. "Baby I Love U!" (2003)
Simplicity can be powerful, and Lopez's 2003 video for "Baby I Love U!" is a prime example of that. Wearing a white T-shirt and simple, natural makeup, Lopez sings the song directly to the camera, as if she's singing to her lover who is following her around the house.
The entire video is a close-up on Lopez's face, so her joy is impossible for her to hide, adding to the intimacy of the experience. Flashy clothes and beaches aren't vital to telling stories in music videos, and "Baby I Love U!" proves that. — EM
20. "I Luh Ya Papi" featuring French Montana (2014)
Lopez flips the script on some toxic and pointless music-video tropes in the 2014 video for "I Luh Ya Papi." She and her friends imagine a scenario where she uses male models in her concept and objectifies them as much as women are often objectified in videos.
She also makes fun of the fact that many videos feature the artist on a yacht for no apparent reason.
It's a fun, outside-the-box approach for Lopez. It's also really refreshing that one of her looks is a pair of sweats. She should be allowed to focus on comfort sometimes. — EM
19. "Love Don't Cost a Thing" (2000)
The "Love Don't Cost a Thing" music video, which was nominated for two MTV Video Music awards in 2001, would definitely be put in a time time-capsule of 2000s music videos that have long been left behind.
It is overly dramatized despite nothing really going on other than Lopez driving to a beach. There is an ambitious use of CGI to create a fake beach background for a postcard scene that just overshadows the otherwise impressive dance break.
Despite all this, there's a nostalgic and enticing element to the video that keeps you watching, helping it to rank this high on our list. — AA
18. "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" featuring Ja Rule (2001)
The "J.Lo in the City" theme has popped up many times on this list already, but her "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" video with Ja Rule is one of the best executions of the concept.
Lopez and Ja Rule were a pairing that worked so well in the studio and on camera in the early '00s. It's hard not to catch nostalgia while watching this video. — EM
17. "Hold It Don't Drop It" (2007)
"Hold It Don't Drop It" is a series of performance vignettes; it's simple, but entertaining. All of the makeup looks are impeccable, especially the silver lips in the disco scene and the rhinestone eye makeup in the setup with the chair.
Plus, not everyone can pull off literally swinging from a disco ball, but Lopez does. — EM
16. "Feelin' So Good" featuring Fat Joe and Big Pun (2000)
"Feelin' So Good" is a "humble day in the life of Lopez" type of music video, even if it may not have been entirely accurate for the singer when it was released in 2000. Joined by Fat Joe and Big Pun, who features on the track, the video is as carefree as the lyrics. — AA
15. "On My Way" (2022)
"On My Way" is a fairly basic movie music video featuring Lopez surrounded by screens that show scenes from her latest movie, 2002's "Marry Me," or images inspired by the film, like the carnival. She appears to be passionate about the words she's singing, and it's easy to imagine she's thinking of her rekindled romance with Ben Affleck.
But in truth, the video makes it to this spot on our list because Lopez's outfits are flawless. Her blush pink high-low gown has a white pattern and scalloping detail that makes her resemble a butterfly in the best, most elegant way. Plus, a sparkly black pantsuit never misses, especially not on J.Lo.
The official version of the video is good, but we also need to shout out Affleck for directing a Valentine's Day cut, which tugs at the heartstrings in all the right places and gifts the world with Bennifer footage. He loves us, too! — EM
14. "Papi" (2011)
The "Papi" video looks like a cheesy perfume or deodorant ad. Turns out the video was actually an advertisement. Scenes from it were used in a commercial for Fiat 500 in 2011; Lopez drives the car in the video.
Despite that, the tongue-in-cheek vibe is what makes everything work. The concept is pretty simple: Lopez eats a magic cookie so that her lover, who is in the army, comes back to her. But instead, the cookie makes every man in the vicinity chase after her, trying to gain her affection and fighting each other over a rose to give her.
The best part is the dance break at the end where Lopez discovers that the men follow her movement and instructs them all in a group dance. The dancers' synchronized movement is amazing and provides a nice climactic moment to the chase. —AA
13. "No Me Ames" featuring Marc Anthony (1999)
Lopez's music video, "No Me Ames," which translates to "Don't Love Me," has quite a legacy. It received a nomination for the first Latin Grammy ever in 2000 for best short form music video. It was also the first time Marc Anthony, who would go on to marry (and eventually divorce) Lopez several years later, dueted with Lopez after she appeared in his music video for "No Me Conoces" ("You Don't Know Me").
Although this is a Lopez ranking, it's Anthony who really shines during the ballad and makes this video great. The pair star as lovers spending their last moments together as Anthony's character slowly dies of an illness. Anthony's transitions between anger, pride, and sadness feel so real. Lopez isn't able to convey anywhere near as impactful emotions during the video.
However, I do love the striking visual at the end of the video where Lopez, in black funeral clothing, is being followed by Anthony's ghost, who's dressed in all white. — AA
12. "Me Haces Falta" (2007)
Lopez plays an informant who goes undercover for the FBI to help them capture her boyfriend in the "Me Haces Falta" video. It's the second and final single off of her first Spanish-language album, 2007's "Como Ama una Mujer," and was written by Anthony, her husband at the time.
"Me haces falta" translates to "I miss you" in English, and the contrast between the words she's singing and her actions in the video brings a strange sense of intensity to it all. Some of the scenes are bathed in red while others have a vintage vibe to them, almost making "Me Haces Falta" feel like an indie short film. — EM
11. "All I Have" featuring LL Cool J (2002)
"All I Have," the second single off of Lopez's 2002 album, "This Is Me... Then." is a breakup duet with LL Cool J. The video gives me all of the wintery, cozy, sad vibes I could ever want.
LL Cool J and Lopez play exes reminiscing about their failed relationship while walking snowy streets alone. Lopez visits her ex-beau's house and leaves an impeccably wrapped key under his tree to signify the finality of their breakup before reuniting with her friends. We watch the pair conjure up memories of each other in their minds, but the memories don't last long before they dissolve in front of our eyes.
The subtlety of the special effects is only one element that makes the "All I Have" video great. The holiday aesthetic is also oddly comforting, whether I'm mesmerized by the gigantic snowflake that opens the story, the broken snowglobe at its climax, or the fire that signifies the end.
Plus, Lopez's pink winter coat and furry hat are the stars on top of the tree to continue the theme. — EM
10. "If You Had My Love" (1999)
"If You Had My Love" was the first single off of Lopez's 1999 debut album, "On the 6," and it beats dozens of the videos she's made since then.
In the video, a man and several other people have the ability to watch Lopez, presumably on a webcam, dancing around her house and doing a number of activities. In hindsight, there's a definite cyberstalker vibe, especially since it is not made clear how much control Lopez has over everyone accessing the stream; at one point, Lopez showers while being recorded.
Alternatively, maybe the video is prophetic, displaying how advances in technology would eventually lead to diminishing privacy in our own homes because of social-media apps like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. And, of course, it relates to the invasion of privacy that celebrities often face.
Beyond the intriguingly future-thinking themes, it's visually pretty cool. The burning car and the computer underwater are beautifully-shot moments, though some of the computer animations are clearly a product of their time and don't hold up quite as well.
The video has one of the most compelling concepts of Lopez's videos. It's also memorable for the cute nod to Lopez's inspirational role as a
9. "Ain't Your Mama" (2016)
Lopez creates six alter egos from different eras in American history in the video for the feminist anthem "Ain't Your Mama," a 2016 single cowritten by Meghan Trainor and others.
We see Lopez scrubbing floors as a 1950s housewife and being left out of boardrooms as a corporate woman in the '80s. No matter her role, Lopez has the same message for any man trying to push her around: "Take care of yourself / I ain't your mama / I take care of me."
It's always a pleasure to watch Lopez step into a real acting role in a music video, but "Ain't Your Mama" is different. The message is strong and clear: Women are fighting for independence in every decade. Lopez channels "The Donna Reed Show" in the '50s, "Mad Men" in the '60s, and "Norma Rae" in the '70s. She even borrows words from Hilary Clinton's 1995 speech at the Fourth Women's Conference in Beijing, per Bustle.
"Ain't Your Mama" is entertainment that matters, but the imagery and bright aesthetic also make it pleasing to watch. It has similar vibes to Britney Spears' 2008 "Womanizer" video, but that might just be because they both feature working women adopting a variety of alter egos.
I will never understand the outfit Lopez wears in the street for the modern-day portion of the video, but I'm able to forgive it because it's rare that Lopez's message outshines her wardrobe. This time, it does. — EM
8. "Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)" featuring Ja Rule and Cadillac Tah (2002)
After the release of her second album "J.Lo," Lopez worked on an album of remixes of her older songs, many of which surpassed the quality of the original tracks.
Ja Rule's collaboration on "I'm Real (Murder Remix)" and "Ain't It Funny (Murder Remix)" made those two remixes stand out above the rest. However, the music video for the latter is more authentic, blending the styles of both artists rather than leaning too heavily on Rule's hip-hop aesthetic.
The video — which also stars Ashanti, who wrote Lopez's verses — is mostly set in a house party. At the beginning, Lopez invites her boyfriend in and shows him around the party until she kicks him out for checking out another girl. Rule and Cadillac Tah, who features on the track, are also present, with Tah rapping his verse in a recording booth inside the house.
The artistic elements of the video shine in the moments where the camera moves in the point of view of the boyfriend and you do not see the actor playing him except through reflections. Plus Lopez's first outfit — that purple halterneck crop top matching the purple eyeshadow! — is gorgeous. — AA
7. "Pa'Ti" and "Lonely" featuring Maluma (2020)
"Pa'Ti" and "Lonely" comprise an eight-minute and 56-second cinematic masterpiece in music video form directed by Jessy Terrero. Lopez duets with her "Marry Me" costar Maluma on both tracks, and though the songs are separate, the videos make up two parts of one complete story.
Lopez plays a billionaire who is under investigation, and Maluma plays her bodyguard and lover. We eventually learn he is also an FBI agent who helped bring her into custody when she was brought up on charges related to her business. His feelings for her ultimately outweigh his sense of morality when he helps her escape from prison via an explosion at the end of "Lonely." Two months later, when the star-crossed lovers meet again at a bar in Abu Dhabi, Lopez ignores her ex and walks away.
The plot is admittedly predictable, but a project with the narrative scope of "Pa'Ti"/"Lonely" is relatively rare in music today.
Of course, no J.Lo video can be considered epic without a dance break. The one featured when she is in prison gives off "Chicago" vibes. Plus, Lopez and Maluma's chemistry is on display in every scene they share, and watching it makes me a little bit sad that the singer doesn't have Owen Wilson's part in "Marry Me."— EM
6. "Hold You Down" featuring Fat Joe (2005)
The "Hold You Down" music video not only has gorgeous visuals of the Bronx, but it also feels like the most down-to-earth video Lopez has in her catalog.
It also has a simple concept, following Lopez and rapper Fat Joe in different settings in her home borough.
The sunrise shot at the beginning behind Lopez in her black faux fur coat and grey cap is stunning. This beautifully clashes with the harsh greys of the Bronx and Fat Joe in the moments afterward.
In particular, I love the homage to Big Pun, who died of heart failure shortly after his previous track with Lopez and Fat Joe, "Feelin' So Good."
During the video when Fat Joe raps "When Pun died you was the first to call me / I never told you but you was there for me," we see the mural created for the rapper, giving the shout-out a beautiful sense of authenticity. — AA
5. "Waiting For Tonight" (1999)
On paper, a video about a rave in the jungle on New Year's Eve at the turn of the millennium doesn't seem like it would work. But at the tail end of 1999, it did, and it holds up today.
During her "Making the Video" episode for "Waiting For Tonight," which is the third single off of her debut album "On The 6," Lopez said that when casting for the video, she was looking for "real people" who could be her friends at home in the Bronx. It's funny that she thinks viewers would be focusing on those other people when so many mesmerizing frames of the video focus on Lopez alone.
For one look, they glued gems that looked like diamonds on Lopez's face. In "Making the Video," she revealed she burned her shoulder during the shots where she had to dance in front of green lasers. She also did some of her own stunts for the video and danced in a pool full of freezing water so that we could forever remember her superimposed body dancing in front of a waterfall in Hawaii.
All of her hard work on this iconic video was worth it. This video is the first one that comes to mind when I think of Lopez. If only we could've all celebrated the turn of the millennium at an exotic rave. — EM
4. "I'm Glad" (2003)
The music video for "I'm Glad" works both as an homage to the 1983 movie "Flashdance" and as a retelling of Lopez's own rags-to-riches story.
She channels Jennifer Beals' "Flashdance" character Alex as the video breaks down the important moments of the movie: the audition to get into dance school; working in a steel mill; chilling at home in that iconic grey sweatshirt; dancing in a strip club.
It's the perfect movie to reference because it allows Lopez to show off her dancing skills, which she's arguably best known for. Her moves are frantic but incredibly expressive and she perfectly captures the self-taught aspect of Beals' character.
There's obviously an objectifying element to it, especially in the strip club. However, the red lights and spotlights used in that particular scene give it an artistic feel, rather than coming off as an attempt to simply sexualize Lopez. You have to focus more on her movements rather than admiring her body. Then we get to the audition scene, where Lopez just looks like she's having fun. — AA
3. "El Anillo" (2018)
Lopez is a literal queen in the 2018 video "El Anillo," which translates in English to "The Ring." She plays a monarch who is ready and willing to accept a marriage proposal from a worthy man after he's put through the wringer fighting for her.
But the hook of the chorus, "Y el anillo pa cuando?" loosely translates to "And where's the ring?" The man is allowed to fight for what he wants, but in the end, he'd better have the symbol of commitment Queen Lopez deserves. She confirmed the concept on "Erbo Darden on Beats 1," calling the video one of her favorites and adding, "This is something on another level that I really love."
It's visually stunning, featuring Lopez in different ornate outfits fit for a queen you might see on "Game of Thrones." While watching the queen's potential suitor (played by Miguel Ángel Silvestre) fight for his chance with her, I'm quite entertained by the optical illusions Lopez does with her arms in the choreography.
An actual ring floats on the screen at some points, but when you watch the "El Anillo" video, you realize the message is about so much more than a ring. It's about women claiming their power and knowing their worth at the same time. — EM
2. "Qué Hiciste" (2007)
The one thing the "Que Hiciste" music video is not missing is dramatics. In the video, Lopez is on the run from something or someone. It is never made clear, but the lyrics do allude to a lover. She drives into the desert, dyes her hair black in a gas station bathroom, and then sets her car alight in an epic explosion.
For both choruses, the music builds up and we get multiple shots of Lopez dancing around in the night, lit only by the flames engulfing her car and the desert around her. The destruction is alluring, and it's what makes the video stand out.
A couple of extra details would make for a truly cinematic experience. Who is she running from? Where is she running to? Why is she wearing such impractical clothes for a jaunt in the desert? But even without that clarity, the video is an adventure. —AA
1. "Jenny From the Block" (2002)
Bennifer in 2022 is iconic, but the world's desire to know everything about their private life together from 2002 to 2004 was insatiable.
It's easy to roll your eyes at an official music video featuring paparazzi footage of Lopez and Affleck's private life and claim they just want attention, and maybe they did.
But by combining intimate footage of her relationship, scenes performed in front of glaring lights, and the lyrics (which are all about staying grounded despite fame), Lopez is actually making quite a statement.
She's giving the world what they want and also declaring, "I'm still me and I always am." Only Lopez and those close to her know if that statement is true or not, but the "Jenny from the Block" video stands the test of time.
Analysis aside, it's also pure entertainment, which is all I ask of a music video. If the paparazzi are going to harass you to try and get pictures of your boyfriend grabbing your butt anyway, why not release footage in an official video? Giving the world what it wants doesn't stop anyone from asking for more, but maybe it bought Lopez a moment or two of peace.
Affleck apparently told the Daily Record in 2008 that filming "Jenny from the Block" is one of his biggest regrets, but we hope he's changed his mind. — EM