My A level Media analysis of Bangarang by Skrillex(ft. Sirah)

1. Analysis of 4 Trap Music
Videos
By Kierran Thomas

2. Skrillex – Bangarang (Feat Sirah)
Near the start of this music video there is a low shot of a dog
walking in quite a run down area which sets the tone for the
video. This is quite typical of trap music videos as the genre
can either showcase wealth of the opposite but usually a rise
to wealth.

3. There is a close up of the ice cream driver with a
negative expression on his face presenting him
as the villain(Propp) of the narrative. This is
complimented by the moustache that is quite
typical of an evil villain in a comedy suggesting
that this video may have a sense of the comedic
genre within it.

4. This image suggests a type of racism
stereotypes where a black youth is behind
bars. This could have connotations with the
idea that society is unfair with prejudice
and racism. He could be shown as a bad
character with there being a shadow
covering half of his body and with him
wearing a dark hoodie.

5. There is a close up of this kid holding a
small bomb saying the word “bang”
which along with using onomatopoeia has
direct links between the lyrics
“*BANG*arang” and these visuals. This
clearly showcases the preferred reading
where these youths are going to perform
a dangerous act.

6. The explosion of the bomb is timed
perfectly with the bass drop of the song
which is very typical of trap music as a
large event usually happens when there is
a drop in the song. This makes this song an
authentic trap song.

7. Due to the kid being in the light and the
shadow clearly being dark there is clearly
shown a contrast between both of the
kids light and dark personalities where
the dark part gets larger and larger
showing how darkness/ negativity can be
overwhelming.

8. A lot of the second half of this video shows
the kids at the start of the video as adults and
they are usually in the shadows. This can have
connotations with how their path has taken
them into an negative spiral. The whole of
this music video has a clear preferred reading
where it is narrative-based. There however
are no intertextual references and no shots of
the artist. The characters also rarely look at
the camera creating a lack of notion of
looking.