2. Relationship between the lyrics and
the visuals
The lyrics and the visuals in the Empire state of
mind video is amplified. This is is evident in the
video because of the link between the lyrics and
the visuals, an example would be when Alicia
Keys says “In New York” we see her stood in
times square dancing , or when in the chorus
which is sung by Alicia keys, the artist says “Big
lights will inspire you” and a extreme long shot
over New York city is portrayed showing an
aluminous Empire state building.
The lyrics are similar to the on screen
visuals throughout because it refers back
to what the artist is saying. Another
example is the crane shot of the bust
streets of New York and the artist says
“Concrete jungle where dreams are made
of”, this amplifies the size of New York by
showing its many buildings and streets
3. Relationship between the music and
the visuals
The visuals are illustrating the music here, this is because at the beginning of the video when the several
montages appear, we see how the pictures appear in sync with the tempo of the music. The visuals then
last for longer when the first verse begins and the fast tempo fades into the background, allowing more
shots of the artist around New York City. When the music picks up, or when the beat is amplified by
creating more emphasis on that background sound the visuals then appear to become a lot faster
allowing the montages to flow. This is accompanied by the strobe effects and how they all are in sync
with the tempo of the music.
4. Iconography
• The genre of Hip-hop is portrayed throughout the music video. This is quite evident because of
the suburban areas that are used, e.g. Train stations, liquor stores, clubs as well as the several
black me outside the liquor store being a social stereotype as well as a convention of hip hop
and “struggle”, but then in contrast with Times square, a hotel with a view of all of NY City and
the several shots of prestigious locations in and around New York. This portrays its own sort of
iconography because of its style to show both scales of the class systems, which could be seen
as an accurate portrayal of new York.
The hybrid of having a piano in a hip hop video could reinforce the ‘limelight’ phrase of NY adding a
different style to hip hop by showing the piano.
5. Voyeurism
This particular scene adds stress to women being fashioned. Showing different still
images of women stood on the streets of new York but stood in a specific stance
which appears as them fashioning themselves and what they are wearing makes
these women the centre of attention. By the way in which the women appear on
the images it makes them seem as celebrities as if paparazzi have taken those
images, maximising them in their status
6. Close ups
There are a few close ups of the main vocalist in the chorus. This could be a
clear indication of the label singling out Alicia Keys by increasing the close ups
because of her origins of being born in New York. These close ups are used in
effect to show Alicia Keys in the music video a lot more, therefore having
positive effects on her record label.
7. Intertextuality
Although there are several
different scenes with
intertextual references, I In the background
have singled 3 out. of this scene we see
the McDonalds fast
food restaurant sign
In the video there is
There are several other a clear reference to
types of inter textual the NY Yankees
references some of them baseball team and
being from movies such as apparel.
The day after
tomorrow,, from music
videos like Jenifer lopez
“Jenny from the block” and
We also see the
other rap artists such as
Nas or Biggie smalls. Statue of liberty
imprinted on to
the piano that is
played in the
video
