Albums We Want to See as Short Films

Kendrick's m.A.A.d and more music that should be movies.

Watching Movies With No Picture - Kendrick Lamar's critically acclaimed, platinum-selling debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city will be coming to life as a 14-minute movie. m.A.A.d, directed by Khalil Jackson, premieres this Saturday (Aug. 9) at Sundance's Next Festival in Los Angeles, and it got us visualizing other albums we'd like to see as short films. Read on for some of the best examples of da art of storytellin'. — Michael Harris (@IceBlueVA)(Photos from left: Kevin Winter/Getty Images, Interscope Records)

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Watching Movies With No Picture - Kendrick Lamar's critically acclaimed, platinum-selling debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city will be coming to life as a 14-minute movie. m.A.A.d, directed by Khalil Jackson, premieres this Saturday (Aug. 9) at Sundance's Next Festival in Los Angeles, and it got us visualizing other albums we'd like to see as short films. Read on for some of the best examples of da art of storytellin'. — Michael Harris (@IceBlueVA)(Photos from left: Kevin Winter/Getty Images, Interscope Records)

Kanye West, Yeezus - Kanye West's "Runaway" proved beyond a cinematic doubt that his visual storytelling ability is as much a part of his creative genius as making music is. Yeezus songs like "Blood on the Leaves," "Bound 2" and "Black Skinhead" seamlessly woven together would be epic, thank you. And you're welcome.(Photos from left: Rick Kern/Getty Images, Def Jam, Roc Nation)

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Kanye West, Yeezus - Kanye West's "Runaway" proved beyond a cinematic doubt that his visual storytelling ability is as much a part of his creative genius as making music is. Yeezus songs like "Blood on the Leaves," "Bound 2" and "Black Skinhead" seamlessly woven together would be epic, thank you. And you're welcome.(Photos from left: Rick Kern/Getty Images, Def Jam, Roc Nation)

Rick Ross, Port of Miami - Ross has maintained a movie-like mood since this pituresque debut. Just listening, you can see yourself riding shotgun in his white on white 745 BMW, daring anyone to "Cross That Line."(Photos from left: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images, MMG)

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Rick Ross, Port of Miami - Ross has maintained a movie-like mood since this pituresque debut. Just listening, you can see yourself riding shotgun in his white on white 745 BMW, daring anyone to "Cross That Line."(Photos from left: Isaac Brekken/Getty Images, MMG)

Clipse, Hell Hath No Fury - Clipse's drug-laced rhymes on their second release drip with cinematic story lines, from the highs of the game with songs like "Dirty Money" through the depths of hell with "Nightmares." The Neptunes' backdrops match No Malice and Pusha T's flows perfectly.(Photos from left: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images, Star Trak Records)

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Clipse, Hell Hath No Fury - Clipse's drug-laced rhymes on their second release drip with cinematic story lines, from the highs of the game with songs like "Dirty Money" through the depths of hell with "Nightmares." The Neptunes' backdrops match No Malice and Pusha T's flows perfectly.(Photos from left: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images, Star Trak Records)

Jay Z and Kanye West, Watch the Throne - Kanye's production alone could be used to score many a Hollywood flick, but his and Jay's collaboration especially delivered visual scriptures like "No Church in the Wild," "New Day," "Made in America" and "Murder to Excellence." (Photos from left: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images, Roc-a-Fella Records, Def Jam)

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Jay Z and Kanye West, Watch the Throne - Kanye's production alone could be used to score many a Hollywood flick, but his and Jay's collaboration especially delivered visual scriptures like "No Church in the Wild," "New Day," "Made in America" and "Murder to Excellence." (Photos from left: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images, Roc-a-Fella Records, Def Jam)

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Big K.R.I.T., 4eva N a Day - This one's a mixtape, not an album, but from his "Wake Up" call to relationship cut "Red Eye" to his ride out track, "Me and My Old School," this narrative captures the visual essence of K.R.I.T.'s pen game. A must watch and listen.(Photos from left: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images, Cinematic Music Group)

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Big K.R.I.T., 4eva N a Day - This one's a mixtape, not an album, but from his "Wake Up" call to relationship cut "Red Eye" to his ride out track, "Me and My Old School," this narrative captures the visual essence of K.R.I.T.'s pen game. A must watch and listen.(Photos from left: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images, Cinematic Music Group)

The Roots,  ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin - The Roots created a concept album with their latest release, which tells the stories of several characters as it takes a satirical look at the violence running throughout the Black community. "When the People Cheer," "Black Rock," "The Dark (Trinity)" and “Understand" are just some of the lucid chronicles showcasing Black Thought and crews' vision. (Photos: Island Def Jam)

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The Roots,  ...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin - The Roots created a concept album with their latest release, which tells the stories of several characters as it takes a satirical look at the violence running throughout the Black community. "When the People Cheer," "Black Rock," "The Dark (Trinity)" and “Understand" are just some of the lucid chronicles showcasing Black Thought and crews' vision. (Photos: Island Def Jam)

J. Cole, Cole World: The Sideline Story - J. Cole's debut was filled with cinematic moments, from his vivid rhymes to his interludes. Cole's trials as a struggling MC were detailed throughout. Cuts like "Lights Please," "Lost Ones" and "Never Told" possess particularly antagonistic qualities.(Photos from left: Kevin Winter/Getty Images, Roc Nation/Columbia Records)

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J. Cole, Cole World: The Sideline Story - J. Cole's debut was filled with cinematic moments, from his vivid rhymes to his interludes. Cole's trials as a struggling MC were detailed throughout. Cuts like "Lights Please," "Lost Ones" and "Never Told" possess particularly antagonistic qualities.(Photos from left: Kevin Winter/Getty Images, Roc Nation/Columbia Records)

Drake, Nothing Was the Same - No new friend zone. It's about time we see Drake star in that romance in his mind that he's been rapping about. Nothing Was the Same is filled with visionary rhyme fodder to explore the different facets of love.(Photos from left: WENN.com, Young Money Records)

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Drake, Nothing Was the Same - No new friend zone. It's about time we see Drake star in that romance in his mind that he's been rapping about. Nothing Was the Same is filled with visionary rhyme fodder to explore the different facets of love.(Photos from left: WENN.com, Young Money Records)

Common, Nobody's Smiling - Common's main focus with his tenth album was to draw attention to the Black-on-Black murder epidemic plaguing his native Chicago. No I.D. provides the backdrop as the rapper-turned-actor blends his two skills.(Photos from left: All Access Photo/Splash News,Def Jam Recordings)

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Common, Nobody's Smiling - Common's main focus with his tenth album was to draw attention to the Black-on-Black murder epidemic plaguing his native Chicago. No I.D. provides the backdrop as the rapper-turned-actor blends his two skills.(Photos from left: All Access Photo/Splash News,Def Jam Recordings)

Wale, The Gifted - From the introductory interlude through tracks like "LoveHate Thing," "Sunshine" and "Golden Salvation (Jesus Piece)," Wale's vivid wordplay on his third album would make a hot clip. (Photos from left: John Ricard / BET, Roc Nation)

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Wale, The Gifted - From the introductory interlude through tracks like "LoveHate Thing," "Sunshine" and "Golden Salvation (Jesus Piece)," Wale's vivid wordplay on his third album would make a hot clip. (Photos from left: John Ricard / BET, Roc Nation)