Music Video Analysis

Haja-Fatmata Bangura

After choosing the R&B/Rap song Over My Dead Body by DeeDee I decided to do an analysis on that genre of music videos. This will help me get a better

insight on type of conventions that should be reflected within my own music video.

I can either choose to challenge or apply them in my own work

As the song is coming from a female point of view I then researched into other female singing R&B

music videos with similar storylines to the chosen song.

Alicia Keys – Un-thinkable • I first looked at Alicia Keys – Un-

thinkable (I’m Ready). This is a narrative music video; it tackles the issue of interracial dating/relationships in different eras of time.

• It has elements of performance where the artist, Alicia Keys is singing. A variety of different shades of lighting were used to show the different eras of the time shown in the music video.

• From this I learnt that a video should include different locations

• A lot of close ups and medium shots are used throughout the video.

• Alicia Keys uses a direct mode of address whilst singing

• The mise en scene also portrays the change in times within the music video

Rihanna feat. Drake- What’s My Name?

From this I learnt that lighting can make a video effective. In this video the lighting reflects the mood of the song. Bright lighting is used to show the themes of song, which are Love and Happiness. A variety of shots are used including establishing shots to show the scenery and location, which was New York City. Main camera focus is on Rihanna rather than Drake as it is her song and Drake is only featuring. Use of direct mode of address during the performance element of the music video