Analysis of Music Genres

Music videos appeal to an audience as a story is created which gives a clear understanding to the song for an audience. The use of camera shots, editing techniques and mise en scene creates the effect the artist wants to convey, which are the technical elements I will be comparing. Within the analysis of music genres I will be looking at a variety of music video's, analysing their individual genres. In class we analysed 2 music videos being 'Over' by Drake and 'Club can't handle me' by Flo Rider. We compared each element and explained the effect it has on an audience and how they match generic conventions.


'Over' by Drake

'Over' by Drake comes under the genre of rap. In class we began analysing camera shots, the first one being a low angle shot of drake in his bedroom surrounded by plain white walls. This shot is then followed by a mid shot and then a high angle angle shot of him in the same place however this time projected lights are reflected on himself and the walls behind. This enables the audience to notice the projected lights more so, as the video began without them. The fact that it develops onto a low angle shot it makes Drake seem bigger and powerful, therefore not loosing his significance within the shot against the lighting. The shots represent Drake as a new rap artist with the shadow representing his image. This 3 shot transition also gives off the impression his growth in the current industry and that he's now beginning to be noticed by the media. All of this relates to the rap genre itself as the video defines his emotions and experience in life in which he's gone through, therefore making the audience more interested as they wish to find out more about him. The second camera shot I analysed was a mid shot. The mid shot focused his reflect which gives off the impression he wants to portray two different side of his personality, or on the other hand looking back in time as his bad choices in life in which he regrets. This is a common factor in new artists once they grow as an artist, some forget normality and get caught up in the lifestyle, forgetting what's most important to them. The fact that the shot is taken from a high angle makes him seem insignificant while an explosion through lighting occurs behind him, connecting to Goodwin's theory of visuals matching lyrics whilst representing how life doesn't always go to plan. Overall this shot relates to the genre as it connects with his life story; the ups and downs he's been through.

The use of editing styles used within a video are vital in order to portray the artists story in the correct way. The editing style I analysed first was a colour filter used in his bedroom projected on himself and the blank walls surrounding him. The colours red, orange, yellow and white are bright and fast moving, representing how fast moving his life is within his modern lifestyle. This relates to the rap genre, as when rap artists enter the music industry and are noticed they soon become extremely successful due to being a very popular genre; their life instantly changes from being an ordinary person to a highly successful music artist with an extremely high income. Another editing style used is the relation between lyrics and visuals following Goodwin's theory. The lyric '"I know way too many people"' connects with the  thousands of people that are reflected behind  him through the use of lighting. The audience then interpret that Drake wishes to show people how far he's come; going from nothing to this high class lifestyle. This connects to the genre as rap artist lyrics all relate to themselves and their personal life story that they wish to share.

Within my analysis, as a class we then looked at mise en scene and how it features in 'Over'. To begin with we looked at lighting. A lamp is shown to be flashing on and off symbolising his lifestyle; that he can't keep up with how fast moving it is, relating to the saying 'light flashes before my eyes'. The fact that it goes from high to low key makes the audience feel an on edge vibe. This is typical for a rap artist as he explains his story. Drake is seen to be wearing a red jacket when his lyrics begin to show his emotions; the emotion being angre. His body language and the fact that he is seen frowning portrays this. The choice of colour was cleverly chosen, which in fact helps the audience to understand his emotions as red is the colour of passion. In many rap artists alot of their music is based around regret; regret about loosing normality withim themselves, making bad choices and so on, which links Drake and his song 'Over' to the typical rap genre. Conveying the correct positioning of characters is important when the audience are trying to understand the significance within each of the charcters. A mid shot of drake is shown with a dancer dressed in minimal provocative clothing in shallow focus behind him. However this camera shot is followed by a full focus close up of Rita Ora dressed in classy clothing. Both shots suggest that theres some form of love triangle between the three, however it is clear to the audience when his love really lies through the contrasting difference of clarity. This relates to his new, modern lifestyle; having girls constantly chasing him, losing normality and what really matters to him.



'Club Can't Handle Me' by Flo Rider



The second video we looked at was 'Club Can't Handle Me' by Flo Rider. The video itself is very stereotypical to the dance genre codes and conventions. The dance genre is extremely popular within the industry and is considered as mainstream. To begin with, again we looked at camera shots. The first camera shot I analysed was a long shot of lamborghini's as within the dance genre, it's all about the performance and how much an artist can show off to impress his or her audience. The lamborghini's portray wealth and the type of lifestyle he lives in and how he himself has grown as an artist and become so successful. The audience feel to idolise the materialistic objects in which Flo Rider and some of the surrounding people have, which also relates back to the lyrics in the club not being able to handle them. The second shot I looked at was an establishing shot, which portrayed thousands of people partying with him, as the impression is given off that the party is in celebration of himself. The fact that there are so many people connotes his popularity to the audience as he stands out in the crowd and portrayed as the centre of attention. There is a common trend within the camera shots that are used when focusing on the pace of the song. Often when the music is at a slow pace, generally cross dissolves are used between each shot, however when the pace is fast straight cuts are used.



When analysing the editing styles that have been used within the video, the first style I looked at was a split screen. Half the screen portrays to the audience that the atmosphere on the left screen is crowed and lively, however quiet with a dead atmosphere on the screen to the right. There is a clear link between lyrics and visuals in relation to the well know theory made by Goodwin, when Flo Rider sings ‘”The club can’t handle me right now”’ which links to the left screen. The visuals also connect with the music in the way that when the pace slows, so does the music and the activity of the characters involved, like shown when the split screen occurs. The right screen and the vast amount of straight cuts used, switching from the noisy, wild atmosphere to quiet businesses with little amounts people in them, such as a laundrette and corner shop almost forebodes what is yet to come, so that when the pace picks up the quiet businesses and empty street are going to be used as part of the party, due to the hectic amount of people that have turned up for Flo Rider. This is very conventional as dark, abandoned areas and clubs are used typically to promote the artists crazy dance atmosphere, that an audience then use it as a form of escapism when listening.



Again the mise en scene is very stereotypical to the dance genre. I began analysing the iconography that is used within the video, consisting of women is tight clothing walking around Flo Rider holding up Bottles of champagne, with sparklers sitting on top. This portrays to the audience that the opposite sex are typically attracted and bring champagne in celebration of being around Flo Rider himself. The fact that they’ve chosen champagne, a typically expensive alcohol choice connotes his extraordinary lifestyle, not having to worry about expense. The positioning of characters of when Flo Rider is seen standing on top of a podium, with the camera shot being at a low angle clearly portrays his authority and importance, in comparison to the thousands surrounding him. This is stereotypical as it is his performance based on his personal lifestyle, living life as a party with little responsibilities to think about. Low key lighting in the club with high key strobe lights, connotes the wild dance/ party atmosphere and that the surrounding people are having a good time. High key strobe and flashing lights are stereotypical to represent a good party. The clothing worn by Flo Rider is fashionable and relevant for a party, however that fact that his leather jacket is red suggests he wishes to shine, as in comparison to everyone else the clothing colours are quite dull and bland.