1. Music Video Analysis
By Abid Ahmed
DJ Khaled - Wild Thoughts (Ft. Rihanna, Bryson Tiller)
https://www.vevo.com/watch/dj-khaled/wild-
thoughts/USSM21700926
Post Malone - Congratulations
https://www.vevo.com/watch/post-
malone/congratulations/USUV71603814
2. Conventions Used
Wild Thoughts
The video uses more than 3 locations in which the artists perform in. These locations
include a party outdoors, a room which has quite bright lighting and a dark room with
very low lighting. The video camerawork consists of many slow motion shots of the
party which can convey the tranquility of the video as well as showing the facial
expressions of people within the video to convey the positivity of the Contemporary
R&B genre. The video is a performance music video, consisting of multiple artists
performing to the camera directly however there are shots of the artists singing that
aren’t directed at the camera. The link between the footage and the lyrics is quite
limited because it is a performance music video, although the sexual tension within the
lyrics are portrayed in several shots. The video and song link to the hip-hop/rap genre
due to the song being about having sex, drinking and doing drugs.
3. Conventions Used
Congratulations
The video uses 2 locations in which the artists perform in. The locations are both
indoors. The first location is inside a music studio which has very low lighting and dark
colours. The second location is in a room that has a white background. Throughout the
video, different coloured lights are added into the white background. The video
camerawork consists of many slow motion shots of the party which can convey the
calmness and serenity of the video as well as showing the facial expressions of people
within the video to convey the positivity of the hip-hop/rap genre. The video is a
performance music video, consisting of two artists performing to the camera directly
however there are shots of the artists singing that aren’t directed at the camera. The
link between the footage and the lyrics is quite limited because it is a performance
music video. The video and song link to the Hip-Hop/Rap genre due to the song being
about making and spending money as well as drinking and doing drugs.
4. Camerawork
Wild Thoughts
Within the video, there are a variety of shots present such as long shots, mid shots and close up shots. There is an
establishing shot in the beginning which shows the audience that the setting is a party outdoors. The mid-shot/two shot is
used quite frequently throughout the video as there are two artists performing on-screen. This is demonstrated as the video
begins with the camera directed below the waist of the two artists. The tilt movement is used to transition from below the
waist to above it into a two shot. The tracking movement is used quite effectively as it tracks two of the artists as they
perform. There is an extreme long shot which teases another artist about to perform and the zoom movement is used to
shift the camera shot to a mid-shot and it is also used to zoom out from the mid-shot to a long shot . There is a low angled
shot to depict the artist’s superiority to the audience.
Congratulations
Within the video, there are a variety of shots present such as long shots, mid shots and close up shots. The mid-shot/two
shot is used quite frequently throughout the video especially when the artists are performing on-screen.. This is
demonstrated as the video begins with the camera directed towards the artist in a mid shot. The zoom movement is used to
zoom into the facial expressions of the people on-screen. A rotating movement is also used slightly as the camera rotates
from a view of the artist from the side to the front.
5. Editing
Wild Thoughts
Titles are used at the beginning and the end of the video to give the names of the artists’ within the video
and song. The director is also credited in these titles. The typography in the titles are coloured white. The
names of the artists and director are in plain bold text whereas the actual song name is stylised so that it
looks “wild” which could either be intentional so that it matches with the song title or to create a sense of
irony. Straight cuts are used throughout the video to transition between shots. The cuts are in time with
the beat. The cuts are also used to transition between different shots and different locations. There is a
flashing special effect used from 0:45 to 0:48. This special effect is used to transition from one location to
another. This is also used to create a little excitement for the viewer as it will keep them entertained. Slow
motion effects are also used to show people in the video dancing and to show their body language. Match
on action is used to show the artist singing and dancing from two different shots.
6. Editing
Congratulations
Straight cuts are used throughout the video to transition between shots. The cuts are in time with the beat.
The cuts are also used to transition between different shots and different locations. Slow motion effects is
used quite frequently to show the people in the video partying and also to show the audience their body
language. The editing of this music video is much more simplistic than the “Wild Thoughts” video.
7. Sound
Wild Thoughts
At the start of the video, there is a sound of wind blowing as the titles appear on-
screen and people are shown partying in the background. The wind is the only
sound before the music starts.
Congratulations
The video begins with a discussion between the artist and another person. The
dialogue is very faint as there is also people talking in the background.
8. Genre
Wild Thoughts
The genre of this song is Contemporary R&B and Latin Pop, however it is
incorporated by the Hip-Hop/Rap Genre. The beat of the song is sampled from
Santana’s “Maria Maria” which was a popular Latin Pop song back in the 90’s. The
video itself clearly identifies as part of the R&B genre because of the artist
conveying her sexuality through her clothing worn. The video is also depicted in a
party environment which is also a generic convention within an R&B song. The
lyrics also identify with the R&B genre because the artist sings about love.
9. Genre
Congratulations
The genre of this song is Hip-Hop/Rap. This is clearly portrayed within the lyrics
which is about the artist’s wealth and how he has finally succeeded. There are a
lot of references to the wealth of the artist through the use of mise-en-scene. This
is shown through the jewellery worn by the artist and also the stacks of money that
he is seen holding.
10. Narrative
Wild Thoughts
Since the video is performed by the artist, the narrative within the video is very
limited. Throughout the video, the artist (Rihanna) is seen dancing while singing.
The story shows the artist as she is unable to stop her “wild thoughts” for her
partner. However this is not portrayed within the video as it only shows the artist
performing to the camera.
Congratulations
This video is also performed by the artist, so the narrative is also very limited.
Throughout the video, the artist (Post Malone) is seen partying while rapping. The
story shows the artist as he succeeds within the music industry. However this is
not portrayed within the video as it only shows the artist performing to the camera.
11. Performance
Wild Thoughts
The artist performs directly towards the camera for the majority of the video, with
the camera focusing on the dancing, singing as well as the body language of the
artist. The video is quite clearly composed but it is not clear whether the video is a
studio-based production. The video doesn’t seem to be in front of an audience
although there are actors around the artist.
Congratulations
This video is a performance video as both the artist and actors within the video
acknowledge the camera and perform to it. The artists are seen dancing within the
video as they celebrate their success.
12. Representation
Wild Thoughts
Rihanna, in the video, is shown to be dancing quite seductively which is a generic
convention within an R&B music video. This portrays her as a sex symbol to the
audience especially due to her attractiveness. Bryson Tiller is seen quite carefree
within the video. He is seen wearing designer clothes which personify his wealth.
Congratulations
Post Malone, in the video, is shown to be having a party with his friends. He is
seen destroying a TV as well as throwing around money. This represents him as a
wealthy artist and doesn;t have an issue with wasting money. This is justified by
the lyrics which constantly refer to his success as well as others congratulating
him.
13. Institutions
Wild Thoughts
DJ Khaled is the CEO and founder of “We the Best Music Group”. The label
operates as an imprint of Epic Records. The video for “Wild Thoughts” was
released on DJ Khaled’s VEVO channel on YouTube. The music video was
released on June 16th 2017 and the song itself was released as the fourth single
from DJ Khaled’s tenth studio album, Grateful (2017).
Congratulations
Post Malone is part of Republic Records. The video for congratulations was
released on Post Malone’s VEVO channel on YouTube. The music video was
released on January 23th 2017 and the song itself was released as the fifth single
from Post Malone’s debut album, Stoney (2016).
14. Values and Ideology
Wild Thoughts
In regards to the song release, it is the fourth single from DJ Khaled’s tenth studio
album, Grateful (2017). The song portrays the ideology that the artist shares since
she had written it, the artist is singing the song to her lover and is expressing the
intensity within their relationship. The song title “Wild Thoughts” clearly presents
the artist’s emotions and feelings. The music video has an ideology that
relationships can be purely sexual.
Congratulations
In regards to the song release, it is the fifth single from Post Malone’s debut
album, Stoney (2016). The song portrays the ideology that the artist shares since
she had written it, the artist is celebrating his success within the music industry.
The music video has the ideology that artists can be successful.
