Goodwin's Theory - Genre Characteristics - Hip Hop

Hip Hop Music

Mise en scene in different genres Many music videos have certain elements that make them have various vibes to represent the view of the music tribes, such as: Hip hop music videos use quite dark colours, simple settings and there are portrayals of women to show their sexuality, which appeals to males. On the other hand, the majority of hip hop music artists are males and so, females are the fans. Mise-en-scene is important in music videos. All music videos contain props depending on the genre and type of song it is, such as, if it is a performance style video, there would be performance equipment, instruments, and stages and lighting.  In a hip-hop genre dark colours are often used to portray negative feelings of the artist, for example in “Not afraid” by Eminem the location was mostly in a basement which lacked light, also fear is associated with darkness, thus is emotions where negative until he broke out of the basement.

In a lot of music videos in the hip hop genre rich life-styles are portrayed to show how wealthy the aritst is. things like luxurious mansions, champagne, jewellery, sports cars and designer clothes are all advertised within hip hop music videos as it gives the ideology that all rich people are superior and that the artist is better and superior to his/her peers or even to the audience. Another reason why hip hop artists use the rich look is to seem untouchable to others. A good example of this would be Otis by Jay Z and Kanye West

In this video the aritsts are seen dismantling a maybach, which is a very expensive car. this shows that they are that wealthy that they can simply buy an expensive sports car and destroy it without a care in the world as it does not effect their wealth. 

Other examples: 

Rick Ross - Rich Is Gangsta

French Montana - Pop That - Ft. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Drake

In Hip Hop music videos there isnt really a narrative the video is mainly shots of people partying and drinking. During the video there will be constant shots of the rapper lip-syncing to the song with normally a lot of girls around him dressed provocatively or surrounded with jewels, alcohol or cars. This again shows to the audience he is someone of high standards and is above everyone else.

The artist usually dresses in designer clothes and will show off the label to the camera or will mention it in the lyrics to show his wealth along with wearing big gold chains, rings and diamonds. The main designers that rappers give alot of attention to are: 

• Gucci

• Louis vutton

•  Givenchy

•  Ralph Lauren

• Versace  

Rappers go further to push the image that they are richer and superior to others by buying and wearing designer clothes these 5 desigenres are the most popular brands that are bought and "name dropped" in songs