The video is a conceptual piece that follows Skepta and Young Lord over the course of a night. It shows them socializing with friends, smoking, and enjoying themselves while dressed in baggy, dark clothing. The video comments on the perception of them as disruptive youth and questions whether it would be safe for them to be out at night if they didn't fit stereotypes. It also represents the artists as confident but aware of the labels and judgments placed on them by society. The video uses quick cuts between scenes filmed on the street to portray an authentic view of urban culture and lifestyle.

1. SKEPTA FEAT. YOUNG LORD
- "IT AIN'T SAFE" (OFFICIAL
VIDEO)
RESEARCH TASK – CASE STUDY #2

2. 1) IS THE VIDEO CONCEPTUAL, NARRATIVE OR
PERFORMANCE BASED? HOW / WHY?
• The video is a simple conceptual video, a show of the different
stages of the two artists night. Out and about amongst good
friends, smoking, leasing, enjoying funny times and company,
the concept of just being outside but at night and dressed to
such a label, shows viewers a contrast. That if the artists and
actors weren't of a stereotyped profile and roaming on the road
at night instead if day time, would it "be safe". The concept of
living in the moment and showing different locations in the
video of everyday life for the artist is shown through the
transitions and entrances, e.g. In the first shot of the 2 artist
walking towards the camera before the main beat starts.

3. 2) THEMES AND MOTIFS
• A main theme in this video is the normality and obvious consistency
in being society's perception of a or a group of disruptive youth. The
loud voices, dark baggy clothing, abrasive movement and not exactly
happy faces/expressions, do contrast each other in this video as an
urban culture in living amongst street upbringing but still being able
to yours your intelligence through lyricism. The video reflects that
although the artists are aware of the stereotypes and reasons for
labels of "dangerous" and "unsafe", the message is that that view is
okay because still in retrospect those are only first impressions until
you listen to the artist. Also the moral of the roads not even being
safe for those who are seen as the danger. The video is a concept of
hypocrites' from the police, and other misunderstanding forces.
•

4. 3) REPRESENTATIONS OF STARS / ARTISTES
INCLUDING AUTHORAGE, ROLE OF PERFORMANCE
AND LIP SYNCHING.
• The representation of the two artists 'Young Lord'
and 'Skepta' is that they are extremely confident,
confident in their own skin, popular but
misunderstood young men. They are represented
as sceptical in following the stereotype knowing
they’ll get judged but laugh at the concept anyway
as they are only outside at the end of the day.

5. 4) CAMERA ANGLES, SPECIAL EFFECTS, MISE EN
SCENE AND EDITING TECHNIQUES.
• The mise en scene, of this video to me is, rap and urban UK
culture and the basic lifestyle of just walking on the roads. The
video creates an atmosphere, where we get to see the artists and
actors dancing outside, interacting with each other through
common pastimes inside and not exactly being disruptive citizens
but not neglecting the stereotype at the same time - showing the
enjoyment of being mischievous. The editing techniques used are
quick cuts, from scene to scene and shooting the surrounding
setting. Not many special effects are used except for making
certain moments black and white for like 2 seconds at a time.

6. 5) WHO ARE THE TARGET AUDIENCE? HOW ARE
THEY ENCOURAGED TO BUY THE RECORD?
• The target audience are mainly males aged 17-33, they are
encouraged to by the record because this audience most
probably see something or similarities in the artists that
they have themselves. Knowing that the music you listen
to is made for your ears, for you to be able to relate and
accept i believe is enough to make you buy.

7. 6) WHICH IDEAS COULD YOU TAKE FROM THE VIDEO
TO USE / SUBVERT IN YOUR OWN MUSIC VIDEO?
• From this video I would take the idea of shooting inside a
telephone box, it creates a 90's style form of video, and shows
some things are better kept traditional even if before your era. Also
the close up and low camera angle were effective. Another idea I
would take would be the constant unveil of factors if being out so
late, I feel this music video didn't only show the artists and actors
but the surround setting and environment they had become
accustomed to like; CCTV cameras, police vans, police officers,
abandoned parks and garages. They create a more vivid and life like
place which is just what I want to aim to design.