2. Artist Biography – Eminem
Eminem is an American rapper, producer and actor. He is the best
selling artist in the 2000s in the United States. He has had 10
number one albums on Billboards 200 and 5 number 1 singles on
the Billboard top 100. he is the 6th best selling artist in the United
States and the highest selling Hip hop artist. Eminem has won a
total of 15 Grammys in his career so far as well as multiple MTV
awards and one Oscar for best original music. Over his whole
career, Eminem has released 8 studio albums, featuring some of
the biggest names in music. His music has been depicted by critics
as causing violence and crimes, which Eminem has then rapped
about in later song releases.
3. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. (e.g. stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for
boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop).
Performance: This video has a large part of pure performance but
in a disjunctive and narrative function. The video contains a
narrative structure of Eminem acting as Robin and Dr Dre as
Batman. The illustrative genre of the video doesn’t fit in with the
normal conventions of a Hip hop video for modern standards. The
performance part of the video focuses on Eminem rapping into the
camera from a low angle. This stereotypical shot was widely used
across the Hip hop genre back in the early 2000s, hence why it has
been used here. This shot includes the main artist looking down at
the camera wearing baggy clothing as it was fashionable back in
the early 2000s. With Eminem as the main artist in the video, he is
mainly shown in the centre of frame apart from when Dr Dre is in
the shot which is when the camera is positioned with both the
artists on each side of the frame. The narrative structure for the
video is based around a comic with Eminem (Slim Shady) as being
the protagonist. As the video is disjunctive, a lot of intertextuality
is used including a mimic of talk shows and the use of the
superhero’s Batman and Robin. The fact that Eminem is seen
dancing around the music video amplifies that this video is
disjunctive and fits in with the stereotypical style of a disjunctive
Hip hop video.
Styling: Eminem is shown wearing stereotypical clothing in the video. The clothing he
wears are baggy due to the Hip hop style being ‘chavy’ and ‘cheap’. This style of
clothing was popular in the hip hop community back in the early 2000s. His record
label would have also decided what clothing he wears for the video as they are in
charge of his main image he gives off to his fans. For Eminem, this image is very
rebellious. This genre characteristic is very normal in the Hip hop genre as disjunctive
videos and styling used to be very popular. Compared to modern standards, Eminem
does not fit in with the new style of hip hop. This style consists of casual with bomber
jackets and slim fit jeans with high top shoes.
Normal genre characteristics in a Hip hop video includes using subcultures with a
stylistic element, rapping, or sampling the music. Most of these characteristics are
represented in the video through the use of the styling and the rapping. However, due
to the narrative structure and the disjunctive features used in the video, it makes it
hard to use ‘beat sampling’ in the video.
4. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics. (e.g. stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for
boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop).
Editing/Camera:
The cuts used in the editing process are very fast paced in some
parts but also slow. As the cuts are fast and slow paced, it follows
the tempo of the song making the video seem elegant but also
professional. The cuts are done on some of the lyrics but are also
done on the beat of the tune. This is so the video feels natural for
the audience and doesn’t feel mixed up and all over the place. The
camera shots are very typical for a music video. A lot of the shots
are close ups to establish who the main artist is. This is mainly
shown in the car. Another widely used shot is a medium shot of the
artist . This is shown a lot in the video as it establishes what the
artist is wearing and the scene the artist is in. This shot is mainly
used when Eminem is rapping towards the camera in the
performance part of the video. Eminem is also mainly shown in the
centre if frame as well. This is because Eminem is the main artist but
also because Eminem was just starting out and it was the highest
point in his career; making his record label wanting his face
everywhere and in the view of the public eye. The camera
movement in the video doesn’t really feature many extravagant
shots. Most of the movement is still with the action unfolding on a
single camera. The camera mainly focuses on the narrative of the
video but also picks up the lip syncing for the performance part.
There are a lot of special effects used in the video like filters, green
screens (which are obviously fake for comedic purposes) and fades.
These effects are widely used across many music videos apart from
the disjunctive green screen which was used a lot for old Hip hop
videos.
5. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with images. (either illustrative,
amplifying, contradicting)
As the video is disjunctive, Eminem is impersonating many of
the characters that were influential in his life in a good way or
bad. Eminem mentions his mother with a comedic mimic of a
talk show in which Eminem plays his mother and himself. In this
scene, he has presented his mother as manipulative with the
hostess thinking of her as a ‘nice lady’. Eminem backs this up by
using the line “Fuck you Debbie”. This is then followed with
Eminem on the left hand side of the screen and Eminem
(playing his mother) in the centre of frame as she is the topic in
question. This line amplifies Eminem's internal feelings towards
his mother. With him using his mothers real name, it connotes
to the audience that he doesn’t have a relationship with her
but also that he doesn’t like her with the use of taboo
language. Eminem also talks about the DJ Moby after a
comment he made on Eminem’s lyrics in an interview back in
2002. Eminem gets bald in the scene and also wears his red
tracksuit to mimic Moby but takes it one step further to add
Obey who picks up Moby and slams him to the ground. Eminem
also ‘takes a dig’ at Moby as he raps ‘nobody listens to techno’.
This is a reference to Moby's specialised music genre. I feel like
Obey picking up Moby and slamming him to the ground
amplifies the lyrics of the video. As the tone of the song is
comedic, it is easily seen over as a casual joke, but in reality it is
threatening Moby in a illustrative manner but also contradicts
the overall tone of comedy.
6. There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of
the music. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
There is a clear link between the music and the visuals shown in the video.
The editing of the music fits in with the up beat music of ‘Without Me’. The
visuals fit perfectly with the rhythm of the song and when the song hits a
deep beat, it cuts to another scene which then carries on the chronological
cuts of the video. Due to the tempo being fast paced, each cut is also fast
pace to keep the flow of the video feel natural and smooth. It also shows
that the video is authentic and allows the talent to be acknowledged by the
audience. Synthetic parallelism is also a part of the song as the majority of
the video is Eminem lip syncing, creating a false relationship with the
audience who are also singing along to the song.
The lively beat of the song is connected to the comedic side of the music
video with the narrative structure. As the video takes a more serious tone
with the topic shifting to Moby, the music is very contradictory as it keeps to
its lively and friendly feel. However, as we can infer from the visuals, the
music should not do this in any circumstance as it is a harsh topic to be
listening to and watching.
The mise en scene plays a part in the video as the overall fun and energetic
song is mixed with dynamic and vibrant visuals. This is provided through the
use of lighting, costumes and props Eminem and Dr Dre use. Even when it
gets to a more serious part of the song, the mise en scene still maintains its
fun nature.
The comedic tone represented in the serious parts of the video is shown
through the comic book text which appears on the screen like the old 1960s
super hero films. This text however emphasises the music as being
important and significant in his life.
7. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may
develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style)
Throughout the video, a lot of close ups are shown of the main artist Eminem and his producer Dr Dre.
The demands of the record label are clearly evident as Eminem is mainly shown with close ups at the
start of the video and gradually leads into long shots as the video progresses. As Eminem was the new,
upcoming artist at the prime of his career, he therefore has the greatest need to be represented as the
fresh new artist compared to Dr Dre. This then makes the audience realise his authority on stage and
see his role as an inspirational figure. The record label have tried to got for a new, disjunctive theme in
the video to represent Eminem as the fun artist in which the audience can relate to. The comic tone
could be to attract a younger audience as the song is very enjoyable and child friendly at face value.
Eminem developed a motif in his early career of a rebellious artist who always spoke out about
current of past problems that needed to be addresses. Eminem developed a voice for people who didn’t
have one. Unfortunately, Eminem was criticised for this and was attacked by people who claimed he
used homophobic and racist language. This motif has then been carried on into other songs and
albums. He also created a split personality (Slim Shady) to develop this rebellious attitude further. The
use of Slim Shady was a sort of scapegoat and this alter ego helped him differentiate between his two
characteristics; Eminem and Slim Shady.
8. There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, mirrors, stages, etc.) and
particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body
The notion of looking in this video is shown through the use of the eye contact made with the
audience and the use of close ups, breaking the fourth wall. This creates a false relationship with
the audience to make them connect more with the artist and the video. Followed up with this,
there are a lot of shots of Dr Dre and many female women in the video. However, the video does
not lingers on the female body but merely features it in the video. This is shown at the start of the
video as two women make up next to Eminem and also at a discount store as the video shoots
past the woman. For a Hip hop video, this is very unusual as most videos in this genre would linger
on the female to express their luxurious life style. But as this is a disjunctive video, it doesn’t need
to do this and mainly focuses on the male artists (Eminem and Dr Dre).
As the video focuses on the male artists, it would stereotypically appeal more to the female gaze.
But, as Hip hop is more of a male genre, it appeals more to the male gaze but not in a sexualised
manner. As featuring a relatable male, as the head artist, it attracts the attention of Hip hop fans
who are already fans of artists like Tu Pac and Biggie. With Eminem being shown at the front of
the shot and positioned in the centre of frame, it attracts the male and female gaze in nearly every
shot.
9. The artist may develop motifs or iconography that recur across their work (a visual style)
Eminem's largest motif would be the use of his alter ego Slim shady.
Slim Shady appeared in most of his songs back in 2000 – 2005. Slim
was Eminem's alter ego so Eminem could get out of controversy
when ever he was slammed by critics for using homophobic and
racial slurs in his songs. Slim Shady was used to come back at his
critics as was frequently used in his album ‘The Marshal Mathers LP’
with songs such as ‘The Way I Am’. Within the song he switches
between Marshal Mathers and Slim Shady targeting his fans and his
critics. Within Without Me, Eminem is using Slim Shady to combat
critics and address his audience in a comedic manner, shown across
his work. Slim Shady is represented as a funny, laid back character
that can relate to its audience. This is shown in ‘Without Me’ as the
lyrics and the music presented is jolly and dynamic.
As Slim Shady is shown in the video, so are other things that come
along side him when he is shown in a video. These include lighting,
camera movement and positioning, editing and mise en scene. In
Without me, Slim Shady is shown in the centre of frame but Eminem
as himself is shown to be out of frame and slightly to the side. This is
to emphasise the video is about his alter ego and that he is the main
attention the audience should be focusing on. His clothing is very
baggy and stereotypical in the hip hop genre. This style of clothing
has been used across many videos including some of his later
work. The lighting that always comes with Slim Shady is very
contradictory. On one side, you have him where he is in darkness,
on another you have him in brightness and sometimes is a mix of the
two. This is due to Slim Shady being a mix of the two characteristics
of good and evil.
10. There are often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc)
Throughout ‘Without Me’, there are a lot of intertextual references
made to other films, famous celebrities and more. First of all, the
whole theme of the video is Eminem and Dr Dre being Batman and
Robin. This is shown in a disjunctive manner with the use of ‘Rapboy’
and Eminem putting on his clothing in a comedic fashion.
Another intertextual reference if the use of the talk show and the
reality TV show. On the talk show, it presents Eminem playing his
mother and another actor playing himself. This is also shown to be
comedic as Eminem is dressed up as a woman and looking scruffy with
a lot of makeup on. This scene is to emphasise the fact that Eminem
did not have a very good mother and was suitable for a family talk
show as their life was very poor. The other intertextual reference is
from the likes of Big Brother with the use of the camera movement
and the shots used , mimicking how its done on the show.
With the use of interesting camera and editing techniques, it makes
Eminem stand out as an artist as comedic and fun. As this video is very
unique and original, it gives Eminem a good sense of artist identity.
