conventions of hip hop music videos- annie sadowski

1. Annie Sadowski

2.  In most hip hop music videos I researched into, from their codes and conventions
it was evident that the main convention of them was the particular camera and
angle shots.
 For instance in all of the hip hop videos they all included low angle shots and close
up shots of the artist. These close up shots and low angles connote the idea of
power in the sense that the low angle shots make it look as if the artist is looking
down on the audience. A sense of superiority is also created.
 Typical examples include
Eminem- My name is Outkast- Ms. Jackson Drake- Hold on we're

3. Simultaneously, along with the close up shots and low angles, they not only use
them to display the artist themselves but their possessions, to help depict their
power and wealth further. The focus tends to be on possessions such as expensive
jewellery, cars, money and so on. The mise en scène along with the camera work,
helps signify wealth by homing into these types of props which all contribute for
signifying status.

4.  It is extremely noticeable that nearly all hip hop videos are male dominated. The
camera shots tend to focus on the male artists. This idea of male power is often
reinforced by a male often being surrounded by other males, emphasing this
dominant ideology.

5.  In most hip hop videos there is often some link between the lyrics and the visuals.
The visuals matching the lyrics are pretty simple, i. e an object in shot matches a
lyric. This is seen to help to the narrative of the video to add more of meaning.
 A perfect example where this occurs includes Eminem's 'Stan'
'Sometimes I scribble addresses too
sloppy when I jot 'em'

6. Women in Hip hop videos are often depicted as possessions themselves and help signify power
and status for men. Most videos see men surrounded by women, often wearing revealing
clothes. Voyeurism is used commonly as the audience for hip hop is predominantly male. By
using the male gaze in the videos ensures to attract the male audience. ,Men domina