NSFW: 17 Of The Most Shocking Music Video Moments This Century

There’s nothing quite like a music video to get the world talking, from stripping off naked to making a statement, our favourite artists just can’t help themselves by causing controversy in front of the camera.

Soon, we'll be asking you to name your Greatest Music Video Of The Century but first we're taking a look at who has left us shook with their on-screen antics. Here are our most shocking music video moments like, EVER…

WARNING: Most of these music videos contain explicit material:

1. Miley Cyrus - 'Wrecking Ball'

Many questioned whether Miley Cyrus had gone too far when the music video for 'Wrecking Ball' premiered. The Terry Richardson-directed clip features Mi-Cy naked, swinging on a wrecking ball and suggestively licking a sledgehammer - a far cry from her innocent Hannah Montana image. Earlier this month, Miley expressed some regret over the promo, saying it would be her “worst nightmare” to have it played at her funeral. Oops…

2. Christina Aguilera Ft. Redman - 'Dirrty'

Long before naked Miley on her wrecking ball came Xtina wearing a bikini and bottom baring chaps! With the promo for 'Dirrty' doing exactly what it said on the tin, Aguilera well and truly ditched her bubblegum pop image in favour of becoming a sweaty, sl*tdropping boxer! It also features Xtina getting down and dirty in mud. We feel filthy for even watching…

3. Robin Thicke Ft. T.I. & Pharrell Williams - 'Blurred Lines'

Robin and his hashtag #THICKE caused all kinds of controversy when the video for 'Blurred Lines' was released in March 2013. The clip saw Thicke and collaborators Pharrell Williams and T.I. flirting with naked models - including Emily Ratajkowski. Despite the X-rated video causing a stir for objectifying women, director Diane Martel insisted it was “goofy and innocent”. If you say so, Diane…

4. Katy Perry Ft. Snoop Dogg - 'California Gurls'

Just when we thought Katy was made of sugar, spice and all things nice, Perry went totally naked on a cotton candy cloud for the 2010 video for 'California Gurls', giving young boys everywhere that Teenage Dream she couldn’t stop singing about. The video also saw her squirting whipped-cream from her boobs. Wowzas…

5. Kanye West - 'Famous'

Following THAT feud with Taylor Swift, Yeezy took aim at Taylor with his 'Famous' video. It featured the naked sleeping body of Swift, alongside the likes of Donald Trump, Rihanna, Chris Brown, Caitlyn Jenner, ex-girlfriend Amber Rose, wife Kim Kardashian and Kanye himself. West has never revealed which of the naked celebs were real, but we’re guessing Taylor skipped this naked sleepover…

6. Nicki Minaj - 'Anaconda'

Nicki Minaj is no stranger to shocking us with her most famous ass-et, and her 2014 promo for 'Anaconda' is no exception. It features her bootylicious behind on full display, as well as giving pal Drake a seductive lap dance. And with the song containing the lines “Oh my gosh, look at her butt,” it was hard not to take a peek, Nicki…

7. Rihanna - 'S&M'

With a song titled 'S&M', Rihanna didn’t disappoint with the accompanying clip! Featuring lots of latex, bananas, bondage gear and Perez Hilton gagged on a leash – it proved that while RiRi may be bad, she’s perfectly good at it! However, not everyone was a fan, with the clip immediately banned in eleven countries due to it’s highly sexual content. See what all the fuss was about below…

8. Eric Prydz - 'Call On Me'

Yaaas more nudity! 2004 saw Eric Prydz release the music video for 'Call On Me' - featuring several scantily clad women performing sexually suggestive moves in a gym class. Led by dancer and choreographer Deanne Berry, it’s often referred to as the Sexiest Music Video of All Time and who are we to disagree…

9. Britney Spears - 'Toxic'

Britney got everyone talking in 2003 with her 'Toxic' promo, which saw the pop princess dress as a naughty air hostess, who joins the mile high club with a male passenger. If that wasn’t raunchy enough, Spears left us even hotter under the collar by going naked with nothing but diamonds covering her modesty. Shocking behaviour, Spears…

10. Benny Benassi - 'Satisfaction'

What better way to cause a stir than featuring women in sexy, skimpy construction gear, operating power tools! That’s exactly what happened in Benny Benassi’s clip for 'Satisfaction', with the video branded so outrageous, it was relegated to nighttime hours. We are still shook from all that drilling!

11. M.I.A. - 'Born Free'

Back in 2010, M.I.A. proved that you didn’t have to get naked to shock with a music video. Her promo for 'Born Free' depicted genocide against red haired people, and despite some critics hailing the video for tackling some tough topics, it was banned from YouTube in both the US and UK due to its violent and graphic content.

12. Lady Gaga - 'Alejandro'

Lady Gaga got the world talking with her 2010 promo for 'Alejandro', with the star angering religious groups by dressing as a nun and swallowing rosary beads in the clip. She was accused of trying to shock Catholics and Christians with her antics, with Gaga only antagonising them further by portraying Mary Magadalene in the music video for Judas, released in 2011. Whoops… 

13. Bring Me The Horizon – 'Follow Me'

Ah, there’s nothing like a bloody gory apocalypse to cause a stir, with Bring Me The Horizon releasing the NSFW video for 'Follow Me' in 2016. Featuring a series of violent events, which are described by commentators as the end of the world, the brutally graphic clip focuses on violence, murder, arson and criminal damage as a man listens to the song, oblivious to the events going on around him. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any worse, a Golden Retriever is shot and killed by a mailman. Emoji shocked face doesn’t even cover it…

14. Eminem - 'Stan'

Actor Devon Sawa and singer Dido act out the lyrics to Eminem’s 2000 track 'Stan', telling the tragic tale of an obsessed fan’s infatuation with Slim Shady. The video set tongues wagging because of its graphic content, with the broadcast version losing the part where a heavily pregnant Dido is bound and gagged in Stan’s car boot as he drives drunk off a bridge to commit suicide.

15. Robbie Williams - 'Rock DJ'

Robbie takes some drastic action to be centre of attention in his 'Rock DJ' music video. After being ignored by some roller-skating babes, he strips naked! However, he doesn’t stop there - taking off his skin and muscle, throwing it at the girls, with the star left as a dancing skeleton. Despite no Robbies being harmed during the making of this video, it was a shocking move from Williams, due to its explicit content. Thanks Robbie, you’ve put us off our lunch…

By Jo Marsh

What do you think is the most shocking music video of the century? What's your favourite music video of the century full stop?! Join the conversation with us on Twitter now @MTVMusicUK with #MTVGreatestVideo.