The document analyzes Lil Uzi Vert's music video for "XO Tour Llif3" in terms of its lyrics, editing, camerawork, branding, mise-en-scene, and use of voyeurism. The lyrics describe Uzi's suicidal thoughts and frustration with his ex-girlfriend. The video was directed by Virgil Abloh and features Arabic text representing the lyrics. It uses both high-quality and grainy, low-quality camera footage to create a creepy effect matching the song's themes of depression. Uzi's costume and other props like marijuana are meant to enhance the mise-en-scene and message of the song.
2. When looking at Lil Uzi Vert’s XO Tour
Llife there is a lot of visual effects that
make up the video and make it different
to other music videos out there. The
director Virgil Abloh is also the creator
of Off White a high fashion clothing
brand so being a creative person benefits
his directing skills especially with this
video. The main factors I am going to be
looking at are lyrics, editing, camera
work, branding, mise en scene and uses
of voyeurism.
4. In terms of lyrics if we analyse the chorus to start, “I don’t
really care if you cry, on the real you shoulda’ never lied,
should of saw the way she looked me in my eyes” this lyric
is a reference to his ex-Brittany. The next part “she said,
Baby I am not afraid to die. Push me to the edge, all my
friends are dead, all my friends are dead, push me to the
edge” this references how his girlfriend isn’t afraid to die if
he breaks up with her. “Push me to the edge” this expresses
how he is frustrated with his ex. In the next line “all my
friends are dead” Uzi said in an interview that it is a
reference to “Dead Presidents” by Nas which is slang for
Money. This also a reference to how his friends were killed
in his hometown of north Philadelphia. Following this in the
first verse he says “Everybody got the same swag now,
watch the way I that I tear it down” the reason behind this is
that Uzi feels that everyone nowadays everyone is trying to
emulate him and dress how he does.
5. Also in the first verse, he quotes “she say
I’m insane, yeah, I’m might blow my
brain out, xanny, help the pain, yeah,
please, xanny make it go away.” This is
lyric is due to Uzi’s relationship driving
him to suicidal thoughts. The next line
“xanny please make it go away” Xanax is
a prescription drug given to treat anxiety
and panic disorders but is often abused.
The lyrics in this song mostly just refer to
his ex-girlfriend and how he’s feeling
about the situation with her. He also talks
about the pain his been through as well as
his frustrations while in the relationship.
7. In Uzi Vert's video, one of the
things I liked about the editing
was that he implemented the
use of Arabic writing at the
bottom representing lyrics,
there is some speculation that it
translate to ‘Gibberish’, the
director of the video, Virgil
Abloh, (CEO, of Off White) is
the brains behind the design
and creativity of the video, his
artistic talent makes the video
look aesthetically pleasing.
8. One thing I liked about the visuals of the
video was that Virgil the director used a
high spec camera to film the music video
to give it a professional expectation but
also used an old Video Recorder to give it
an edgy effect, leaving it grainy and to
give the video different composition. This
leaves the video with a creepy effect,
especially when Uzi Vert is in the bath tub
‘dead’. Relating to the song on how its
linked to depression and how Uzi Vert is
depressed from breaking up with his ex
girlfriend
10. There are many props and costumes
involved in Uzi Vert’s video as a part of
mise en scene. His costume is a custom
“Off White” piece designed by Virgil
Abloh. Virgil also directed the video so
was able to provide costumes. Another
prop we see in the video is a bag of
marijuana. This follows with the
connotations of the stereotype of
American rappers who always smoke
week. The prop of the camera also gives
the music video an edgy look to it.
In terms of the scene it self the colours
used in it are dark purples, this is due to
purple having connotations to luxury,
power and ambition. Purple also has links
to creativity.
12. The overall theme of the video was very artistic,
being directed by Virgil Abloh he has added his
artistic and creative touch to it. The whole video
is a message to his ex girlfriend, saying how he
has become depressed and that he isn’t afraid to
die. The key parts of the video that I enjoy are
the lyrics written at the bottom in Arabic, I find
this artistic touch very aesthetically pleasing.
Another thing I like about it is how Virgil had
included shots from a poor quality video
recorder.
