Media Analysis Grandmaster Flash: "The Message" (1982) &Jay Z's & Kanye West: "Ni**as in Paris" (2012)

By: Raymond Duke + My Rhetorical Criticism Team @ CSULB

In the comparison of two top selling rap songs from the past ("The Message" - 1982) and present ("Niggas in Paris" - 2012) we found that in the present, rap contains context that has changed from rap in the past on a class and socio-economical level due to "Niggas in Paris" containing messages that promote materialistic values, are void of a sense of urgency, and redefine what the meaning of power is for a rapper.

Class/Socio-Economical issues:1) Reality vs. Materialism2) Urgent vs. Non-Urgent3) Reinforcement of Self Image (Masculinity)

(actual footage of poverty)

"Documentary-like" video production

Lyrics that describe the conditions: "...people pissing on the stairs, you know, they just don't care." “...got no money to move out...” “...rats in the front room, roaches in the back...”

Lyrics that describe the conditions (cont.): “...junkies [drug addicts] in the alley...” “...repossessed my car...” “...crazy lady livin’ in a bag, eating out of garbage pails...” “cause it’s all about money”

Entertainment-like video production:

Attire

Lyrics that reinforce materialism: “I ball so hard” is heavily repeated “...what’s 50 grand to a "muhfucka" like me?” Mentions of expensive name brands and people

○ Gucci, Rolex, and Louie [Vuitton]○ Mary kate and Ashley Olsen

Lyrics that reinforce materialism:

“The stars is in the building [Jay Z & Kanye West], they [audience's] hands is to the ceiling."

"The Message" has a message. ● A perpetual inescapable lifestyle that

needs "fixing"● The environment is a "jungle"

○ Survival of the fittest○ “It's like a jungle sometimes it makes

me wonder how I keep from going under."

● Ambulances and police cars illustrate urgency:

● It's more about the show● No "message"

○ a careless lifestyle about with no particular meaning other than ignore everything

A lavish life of partying

A lavish life of partying ● Lyrics

○ "...Ball so hard, let’s get faded, Le Meurice for like 6 days..."

○ "...Gold bottles, scold models, spillin’ Ace on my sick J’s..."

● Doesn't matter what they say

● Kaleidoscopes used throughout video. ○ artful video effect

Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five and Kanye West & Jay-Z both use music to make a name for themselves... Bigger Audience = More Power

In 1982:

In 2012:

● Masculine Figures - portrayed differently○ Tough, yet poor○ Casual about materialistic gains

poses showing their street credibility and toughness

Gladiator outfit

Lyrics "Don't push me cuz I'm close to the edgeI'm trying not to lose my head."

- Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five"The Message"

"Psycho, I'm liable to go Michael, Take your pick, Jackson, Tyson, Jordan, Game 6"

- Jay-Z & Kanye West "N*ggas in Paris"

● Glorification of crime (1982) "You'll admire all the number-book takers,

thugs, pimps, pushers, and the big money-makers. Drivin' big cars, spendin' twenties, and tens, and you'll wanna grow up to be just like them, huh?"

● Glorification of crime (1982)

● Glorification of crime (2012)

● "That shit (k)ray"○ reference to the schizophrenic Ronald and

Reginald Kray, who were crime lords in London UK during the 1950′s and 1960′s

○ These convicts were extremely difficult to find■ "...ball so hard muthafuckas wanna

find me, that shit kray, that shit kray, that shit kray..."

● Over time, rap and hip-hop music has changed from creating awareness about issues of poverty to a medium in which to generate money.

● Why does rap function differently today than in the past?

● The audience heavily influenced

the direction of rap

● Using escapism to avoid the problem of poverty