There's no quicker or more efficient way for modern musicians to establish their entire raison d'être than with a music video. Over the last five years, we've seen vibrant clips by out-of-nowhere acts including Die Antwoord, Azealia Banks, and Kreayshawn translate to overnight (if fleeting) success, spurred on by social media. Meanwhile, buzzed-about artists like Grimes and Tyler, the Creator managed to firmly cement their place in the pop universe with the help of eye-grabbing clips. The wildly shareable form has also made it easier for old-fashioned stars like Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé to retain their preeminent status by-way-of pure charisma. And though hall-of-fame video directors like Spike Jonze and David Fincher returned to the format with a vengeance, a new crop of innovative visual masterminds has made their mark, too, taking the video to places it's never been before. The following are our favorite 50 clips from the last five years, in alphabetical order by artist.