Big Sean's "Blessings" music video conforms to Goodwin's theory that music videos stay within certain styles regardless of genre. It features predominantly close-ups of Big Sean's face and has a dark, mysterious tone that reflects the slow tempo of the song. Big Sean's actions mirror the lyrics, like posing with hands together when singing "I feel blessed." The video has heavy religious themes of blessings portrayed through symbols like Big Sean lying in a crucifixion pose and stairs that could represent those leading to heaven. It includes characteristics Goodwin's theory says are common in rap/R&B videos, like lyrics about wealth.

1. Music Video Analysis
Blessings – Big Sean

2. Stereotypically, this music video begins with various shots of the artist, Big Sean. These shots
are predominantly close-ups of different parts of Big Sean’s face. This conforms to Goodwin’s
theory and demonstrates that no matter what the genre of the music, their music video’s tend to
stay within a certain style. The over-all feel of the music video is very dark, dull and has a
certain theme of mystery. The music also is a very slow tempo towards the begging and this is
reflected through the video. Through the shots, Big Sean’s actions mirror the songs lyrics; for
example, as the lyric ‘I feel blessed’ is sung, a wide shot of his hands in a praying action are
shown. Goodwin’s theory also states that in rap and R’n’B music videos, there is a clear definite
link between the artists actions and the lyrics which the artist is singing, in order to amplify the
lyrics.

3. In this particular music video there are heavy themes of religion and ‘blessings’, therefore, the
screenshots above and below demonstrate how these themes are portrayed. For example, the
screenshot in the top right, show Big Sean lying in the crucifixion position, as Jesus did, this
links to Goodwin’s theory as it is an inter-textual reference and as the audience will
automatically be able to notice the link created.

4. The stairs, which are a common prop through the music video, maybe very important at it is
perhaps a symbol for the idea of the stairs in which lead up to heaven, as smoke is also created
at the bottom of the stairs which could represent the clouds below. Goodwin’s theory also
suggests that throughout Rap and R’n’B music videos there are set characteristics. These
characteristics include: visuals and lyrics regarding money and wealth, hooded men, attractive
women, expensive possessions. This music video includes a lot of these characteristics as the
lyric “million dollar goals, managed to manifest it”.