MUSIC ANALYSES RESEARCHkano – signs in life

Nas – one mic

Genre Characteristics Throughout both hip hop videos the characteristics that make it a hip hop

genre is the simplicity of there videos. Both seem to be based around broken society and convey the message of corruption with the shots in the video. Most shots include long shots of the surroundings of were the video has been shot. It has example shots of estates and associates with police in parts of both videos. These are both very similar in there characteristics elements of a typical hip hop video.

Relationships between lyrics and visuals

Relationships between the lyrics and visuals are very creative in the video, the hip hop video share both illustrative and amplifying elements throughout them. this is revealed on screen when the artist “Nas” says the words “one mic” it is revealed that he himself is holding a mic and it is the main focus on the screen at that moment of time. In Nas’s track it also has symbolises violence and war throughout it. This is revealed when he speaks about the villages and war on poverty.

• Throughout Kanos video the relationship between the lyrics and visuals are very similar to ‘One mic’ as both have elements of illustrative. This is revealed in kanos video when he says ‘id rather do that then lick cars every week’ and onscreen it is representing a youth in a car swerving which is indicating it is a stolen vehicle. These reveal the similarities in both hip hop videos even though both are based from different countries.

Relationship between music and visuals

The relationship between the music and the visuals in Kanos video is that at the start of the video he is represented holding a mic in a studio saying lyrics. This is important so the audience no exactly who the artist is as there is more then 1 male on screen at that moment.

• In the video one mic the relationship between the music and the visuals are very strong. When the music first starts the artist is revealed sitting on a chair in a empty room holding a mic which is very vital as this creates all focus on the artist himself as the audience understand that he is the one who is going to start rapping and he is the main focus.

Demands of record label

The demands of the record label for both hip hop videos are close ups of the artist on screen. This is selling the artist and revealing the importance of them throughout there music videos.

Voyeristic treatment of female body

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