ranking item image

Herbie Hancock - Rockit

Music video

About

"Rockit" by Herbie Hancock is a groundbreaking music video from 1983, featuring a blend of jazz, hip-hop, and electronic elements. Produced by Bill Laswell and Michael Beinhorn, it includes deejay scratching by Grand Mixer D.ST, making it a pioneering work in incorporating hip-hop into mainstream music. The video, directed by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme, showcases robotic figures dancing to the music, highlighting the intersection of technology and art. The video's innovative use of synchronized editing and special effects won several awards, including five MTV Video Music Awards. It played a significant role in popularizing "Rockit," which reached #1 on the Billboard Dance Chart. The song's success marked a new direction for Hancock, combining jazz with emerging hip-hop styles, and it remains a celebrated example of musical and visual innovation in the early days of MTV.