The music video for "B.M.F." by Rick Ross ft. Styles P illustrates, amplifies, and sometimes contradicts the song lyrics through visuals. Rapid cuts between shots match the sharp rhythmic sounds in the instrumental. As the tempo increases in the second verse, more frequent cuts highlight Ross' aggressive rapping. The camera shakes during verses to mirror the potent music. Displays of wealth through money and jewelry both illustrate and exaggerate lyrics about blowing money fast. However, references to "stunting" contradict the portrayal of genuine riches.

1. Rick Ross ft. Styles P –
B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)
‘2010’

2. Characteristics of the Hip-Hop genre
Hip hop music originated in the 1970’s, and it was mainly block parties in New York City where
neighborhood communities would congregate simply for mutual enjoyment and entertainment.
Since hip hop music was first created in the late seventies it has gone through an array of
changes. The hip hop that we’ve have become accustomed to nowadays, known as the
‘Mainstream Breakthrough’ of hip hop, is much different to the tracks that were being created
when hip hop was invented.
Regardless of the music's evolution, hip hop's defining characteristics are syncopated drum
rhythms (usually built with samples); and an MC rhyming spoken lyrics on top of the
instrumental/beat. Hip hop music; often modernly referred to purely as ‘Hip-hop’ or ‘Rap’ music,
is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping of
an artist, (a rhyming speech that is vocalized in perfect rhythmic timing). It developed as part of
hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key stylistic elements: MC-ing/rapping, DJ-
ing/scratching, break dancing and graffiti writing. Other elements also include beat boxing.
While often used to refer to rapping, "hip hop" more properly denotes the practice of the entire
subculture. The term hip hop music is sometimes used synonymously with the term rap music,
though rapping is not a required component of hip hop music. A the genre may also incorporate
other elements of hip hop culture, including DJ-ing and scratching, beat boxing, and instrumental
tracks instead of rapping.

3. 2.There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals.
(Either illustrative, amplifying and contradicting.)
The theme of blowing money fast is
exaggerated through the excessive
amount of jewelry “look at my time
piece…hundred wrecks at least”
The song itself can almost lead the listener into assuming the track possesses
hidden connotations of money not being a big thing to our artist Rick Ross. The
throwing of money, endless diamond encrusted jewels and exuberant cars is
what suggests this; along with the song title itself ‘Blowin’ Money Fast’. But this
somewhat does appear contradictory, as had money not have been a big thing
to our artist. Then both the visuals and the lyrics would not have needed to
revolve around things which would appear ‘trivial’ to our artist. So although the
visuals do illustrate a genuine image of Rick Ross’ fortune, this image is both
amplified and in a sense contradictory.

4. 2.There is a relationship between lyrics
and visuals. (Either illustrative,
amplifying and contradicting.)

5. 2.There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals.
(Either illustrative, amplifying and contradicting.)
The chorus of a song is usually the way in which a track can be summarized to
some great extent. “One nation, under God, real n***** getting money from
the f****** start” is a line from the chorus which emulates the recurring
theme of spending money quickly (of which the song is based on). The image
of the artist Rick Ross throwing $100 bills about, illustrates how affluent he
truly is. But also amplifies the fact that he has money, by making his money
seem like a trivial thing. Which in a sense can appear quite contradictive.
“Look at yourself, now look at me, you can’t see a n**** I'm what you you use to be. Look
at it this way, you n***** sideways, always getting money my n**** crime pays”. By saying
look at yourself, now look at me Rick Ross differentiates himself from others by using his
wealth as a border of separation. The lyrics “crime pays” suggests that Rick Ross makes his
money through committing felonies. This is then illustrates through the discreet counting
of a stack of money, (seen to the right) which amplifies that his money is illegally made.
This image of crime/felonies is reinforced by the lyrics “Where the f****** felons, where
my dawgs at?” . Meaning these felons are in fact Rick Ross’ counterparts.
The fact that the majority of the money shown in the video are $100 bills
amplifies Rick Ross’ opulence. But there are many elements the lyrics which
contradict this. For example when he says “Stunt so hard” in the second
verse. The word ‘Stunting’ meaning showing off; perhaps contradicts his lyrics
and instead shows how he masquerades as someone whom possess genuine
riches. This idea is amplified through his over extravagant wearing of jewelry,
which again can be seen to be worn under false pretences.

6. 3.There is a relationship between music and visuals.
(Either illustrative, amplifying and contradicting.)
Before the beat drops, very quick cuts and sometimes very rapid fades are used to match to sharp rhythmic
‘flickering’ sound which appears at the end of each chorus to signify next verse. Towards the end of the
song we hear more of these sharp ‘flickering’ noises, which are also represented by the sharp edits. There
are many edits throughout to match the up-tempo instrumental, also it is fair to say that the interchange
between clips through the use of cuts (for the major duration of the song) can often be expected when
listening as they often simultaneously coincide which the noticeable sound of the bass.
In the second verse which begins ”These motherf*****s mad that I’m icy” the beat reaches it’s highest
tempo throughout the entire song, possibly to signify that it is Rick Ross’ final verse (which builds up
momentum for his final words). But it is also the moment at which Rick Ross raps most aggressively. So the
tempo matches his rapping, but the visuals also change as we see many more cuts in shorter time spans in-
between clips; which highlights the relationship between the music and visuals. The entourage in the back
also start to dance aggressively and boisterously in coordination with the music, and the camera is on a
slight slant to signify the excitement and passion of our rapper, and also his companions.
The visuals during the chorus pattern the music, the cuts slow down which pattern the calming down of the
music. But when the rapper says his individual verses, we notice the camera no longer take still shots
(perhaps on a tripod of some sort) but instead it appears the shots have been filmed possibly by hand. The
shaking of the camera therefore also mirrors the music as the rappers individual verses is when the music is
at its most potent.