The purpose behind this task was for me to recognise the various representations which are portrayed in todays music videos. To do this task successfully I will carefully visually analyse each music videos, recognise the representations and back them up using a variety of theories and screenshots.
FETTY WAP - 679
At the very beginning of the video we can already see a scene which shows the main artist surrounded by two women. This immediately show us the male dominance over the women. This scene then moves over to a medium close up which shows the artist interacting with both of them. The way they talk and look at each other signifies that the women are a passive object of the males desire which links to 'The Male Gaze' theory by Laura Mulvey.
The scene then carries on to a tracking shot of a lighter skinned women amongst a group of darker skinned women. The fact that the women is of a lighter skin makes her stand out and attract the audience. The camera is focused on her which shows us that she is the main target of the shot. This interlinks with the 'Colour codes' theory by Bell Hooks. This theory states that 'Lighter skinned women are considered more desirable and fit better into the western ideology of beauty'. In this scene a shot-reverse-shot was used in order to show the artist being interested in the women therefore this reinforced the idea of the women being more desirable. Moreover the lighter skinned women's clothing is less exposing in comparison to other females in the music video which also shows us that she is more important as she respects her female characteristics.
The scene above can be considered as a really stereotypical view of hip hop music videos, especially music videos from black artists. The shot above presents three main parts of the stereotype: money, jewelry and girls. The fact that the women in the shot are wearing lingerie and are exposing their female characteristics makes them reinforce the 'Men Look Women Appear' theory by John Berger which states that 'Black women are objectified and sexualised in hip-hop reflecting the colonialist view of black women which are sexually disposable'. "The Male Gaze" theory by Laura Mulvey could reinforce the sexual image of black women due to the fact that the audience is forced to view them from a heterosexual males point of view.
The screenshot above shows us the young audience with alcohol, snapback hats and wearing non casual clothing which could refer to the stereotypical view which is generated by the media. From this screenshot we could conclude that the young generation is enjoying their time which links with the theory of "Fun and Trouble" by Dick Hebdige. On the other hand we could portray this scene as "Trouble" do to the clothing such as hoodies which are mainly associated with crime which is reinforced by the majority of people being of a darker race due to the mediated view.
This is one the the very last shots in the music video which I believe is a very accurate representation of the young people which is associated with hip hop genre. As we can see in the close up the person is "throwing" gang signs at us which has a very negative connotation of violence and trouble. Additionally the person has silver teeth which also adds onto the stereotypical image of jewelry, money, girls and alcohol shown mainly in hip hop music videos. The representation of young people in this music video is negative as it shows the mediated view which we normally expect from todays youth.
DRAKE - HOLD ON, WE'RE GOING HOME
The first shot of this music video by Drake portrays a very controversial image which does not fit into the mediated view. The counterstereotype is seen in the black individual which wears formal clothing and is propsing a toast. This is a rare view as the media mainly associate and show black individuals for criminal offences and riots, therefore this image goes against the "Blur race and class" theory by Stuart Hall. Additionally the first shot of this music video portrays a very friendly, calm atmosphere which to me signifies that the equilibrium is set which is reinforced by Todorov's Narrative Theory.
In order to introduce the female which in this music video seems to be Drake's lover, the music video portrays the female with a smooth tilt showing of her female characteristics. The female is wearing minimal clothing in the form of a lingerie which as a result makes her the focus of male desire. As a result of this scene is reinforced by the "Men look women appear" theory by John Berger which states that females are solely for the objectification of men. The female portrayed in this shot is of a lighter skin colour meaning that she suits the Western Ideology and is more desirable by the male audience, which interlinks with the "Colour Codes" theory by Bell Hooks. On the other hand she is still objectified which goes against the lighter skin colour as mainly darker skinned women are objectified in music videos.
The above screenshots present the villains in the music video. On the left we can see the man who completes the kidnapping which is black. As a result this image of black people goes with the stereotype which is conveyed by the media, showing black people in a negative view. The main villain who sets the kidnapping is white which can be seen on the right screenshot. By the white villain being of a higher status and having control over the black it could represent the connection with slavery. Additionally by him being white it goes against the stereotype as the media does not portray white men as the ones who are to commit crime. Due to the kidnapping the equilibrium in the video is destroyed.
After the equilibrium being destroyed it is time for the main character who in this instance is Drake to try and restore the equilibrium, following Todorov's Narrative Theory. In this music video the attempt of repairing the equilibrium can be seen by them using weaponry in the form of guns in order to attack the base of the villains. The gun visible in the screenshot above is a phallic symbol which underlines the hero's (Drakes) masculinity. This goes against the stereotype as the guns are used by a mixed raced individual with a good intention in order to solve the problem, not to cause trouble.
This is the last scene of the music video which we can see portrays the equilibrium being restored as the lovers are back together. This creates a circle from the equilibrium, to it being destroyed and back again meaning that Todorov's Narrative Theory suits this music video very well.
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