The top music video directors from Toronto hail from a beautiful city full of beautiful people making beautiful music. But what's a song without a video to go along? Although there's no lack of creative types in the city, there are a certain few that rise above the rest when it comes to providing unique and unforgettable visuals for music.

Here are my picks for the top ten music video directors in Toronto right now.

Natalie Rae Robison
This Toronto-via-Vancouver director's fast-paced transitions might make your head spin with multiple perspectives and beautiful set design. She's made videos forSerena RyderandTegan and Sara. When she's not working her craft creating brilliant music videos, find her working on ads for the likes of Air Canada, Bud, and Holt Renfrew.

Scott Cudmore
Remember "normcore"? Remember "vaporwave"? Trends come and go, but aesthetic is forever. Cudmore combines nostalgia with modern high def to highlight the banalities of modern living via signature shaky still frames, gloomy lighting and artifact compression. Cudmore proves his flexibility working with everyone fromTimber TimbretoMetz.

Director X
Prodigy under big-budget rap video virtuoso Hype Williams, Brampton native Director X has made a name for himself working withNicki Minaj, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, and even这个男孩himself. His trademark split letterbox openings, colour co-ordinated props and environmental portraits has made him one of the industry's most in-demand directors.

Floria Sigismondi
Hamilton-raised Sigismondi creates mysteriously unfolding settings as a foundation for her twisting fantasy worlds full of of flamboyant costumes, top-of-the-line special effects and feminist undertones. Directing everyone fromKaty Perryto David Bowie toSigur Rós, Sigismondi was presented a lifetime achievementPrism Prizelast year.

Michael Leblanc
What is a shot without vibe? Just another clip in the digital trash. Leblanc's dreamy style has led to projects includingBelle and Sebastien's "The Party Line", where he employs witty use of theKen Burns effect. With partner Scott Cudmore, Leblanc has also shot videos forThe New PornographersandAlt-J.

Reynard Li
Calgary transplant Reynard Li could be Toronto's most fun director. His subjects are cheeky and smiley, from Harrison's "City Lights" to Maylee Todd's "Baby's Got It." Li's fascination with 80s hi-fi translates seamlessly from creative to corporate, landing him gigs withNikeand Design Exchange.

Jared Raab
Raab leaves synchronized stage shots in the past for slurry bokeh shots, crisp titles, clever metafiction, and candid conversations. One of Raab's greatest charms is his ability to capture the personal aura of each band member - highlights includeArkells,Born Ruffians, andTokyo Police Club.

Sean Getti
Photographer/director Sean Getti's shaky hand is doing him just fine. Slow moving b&w shots, nerve-wrackingly thick plots, and jittery camerawork help illustrate the lives of artists in Toronto's stifling concrete jungle. WorkingJD Era,Tre Mission, and early Drake affiliateBig Page, Getti's style is more and more refined by the video.

RT!
Raised in Calgary, Randall "RT!" Thorne isthe most awarded Canadian music video director to date, winning trophies withKardinal Offishall,Simple Plan,Joel Plaskett, andSnoop Dogg. RT! shows his set design mastery in Rich Kidd's haunting single "The Valley."

Norman Wong
No matter what Wong is doing, he is doing it precisely. From Lowell's "The Bells" four-minute long take to taking timeless studio photos ofDavid Cronenberg,Emily Haines, orNoah "40" Shebibto turning Trust's "装扮空间" into a wavy psychedelic experience, Norman Wong is in a league of his own.

See also

The top 10 music video directors to watch in Toronto

Who did I miss? Leave your favourite Toronto music video directors in the comments.

Writing by L-SPEX

Lead image: Floria Sigismondi: David Bowie - "The Next Day"