2. ‘Super bass’ is one of Nicki
Minaj’s songs, off of her Pink
Friday album that was
released on 5th April 2011.
The song is categorised as a mix
between electronic and pop
(whilst having a hip hop beat)
and contains many
conventions of this genre –in
regards to the music video.
There are various systems of signs
in the video that create
meaning which consists of
technical and symbolic
codes. In this particular
media text, numerous
camera movements, shots
and editing are used to tell
the story.

3. The music video begins with a close
up shot of Nicki Minaj’s face which
immediately introduces the
audience to the main person within
the video. The extreme close up next
allows you to move your focus on to
her eyes (which is full of makeup) as
they open and blink and move in
different directions. As it goes from
left to right you are shown the
dripping ice sculpture in the
background that has been carved
into the shape of a motorbike before
her beginning to sing.

4. As she begins to sing, there is a range of slow movement
from one prop to another to relate to what she is singing
about. This consists of wide shots and close up shots of a
bubblegum pink ferrari, aeroplane, champagne bottle
and glasses as well as money (stacking up) and men. The
bubblegum pink props relates to the idea of her being
like a Barbie, which many of the females may take
interest in. On the other hand, the close up shots of the
men’s abs, face and lips (extreme close up shot) is shown
in such a way to attract women to the sexual idea that
she is making. Overall, these introductory shots give you
an idea of the perfect life that most girls desire to have.
[The way in which she interacts with one of the males also
creates this type of idea of hot muscular males being a
woman’s main focus – especially hers.]

5. In order to appeal to the men, there are a
number of group shots of Nicki Minaj and 5
other females wearing denim shorts, white
vest tops and different coloured Dr.
Marten boots which looks very attractive.
They are all shown performing a
choreographed dance and gyrating whilst
looking exactly the same as Nicki Minaj.

6. On the 3rd setting, Nicki Minaj is shown in a bathing suit,
surrounded by men, with green hair (like a mermaid) and
heels. Immediately, she is the centre of attention as she slowly
walks around the frozen pool and plays in it with one of the
males. The editing used within this scene is slow paced
compared to the music that is upbeat which makes the
audience focus on everything that is taking place. For
example, close up shots of Nicki Minaj’s legs, face and body
are used to create intimacy with the viewer – in particular the
male. In this scene, she is portrayed as being powerful and
dominant especially when she throws drink over the man and
says ‘I am Nicki Minaj, I mack them dudes up’ (*mack – put
them in line) in an abrupt way to emphasise her importance –
verbal code.

7. Again, she is the main focus at the chorus and
is shown on the ice sculpture of a bike. The
backdrop is white and there is flashing lights
on Nicki Minaj who stands out in a skin-tight
pink and white body suit. The idea of intimacy
is emphasised more through wide and low
angle shots of her dancing on the bike and
having constant eye contact with the
camera to portray her as this sexual attractive
person.

8. In the last scene, the editing used which is black lights to set the
glowing tone of the people is really effective as it allows the
backup dancers and Nicki Minaj to stand out in their seductive
clothing from the black background. The relationship between
each male and female is very sexual and taunting, for example
when the woman takes hold of the men’s head and circulates it. By
doing this, we see a manipulative side to the girls which could be a
reason as to why the background is dark as it creates a negative
atmosphere.
Much like the scene where she is on the ice sculpture bike, her
actions in the last scene reflects her confidence of being a strong
controlling woman who is of eye candy to males and has the ability
to get whatever she wants.
Other shots consist of mid shots and long shots as well as tracking
throughout the video to give the viewer a range of things to look at.

9. To conclude, Nicki Minaj’s video is a sexy icy
world that adopts a playful approach to a
story about a boy that you have a crush on
and want to impress; in a provocative way.
The colourful visuals, bright lighting and
people who are of eye candy draws you into
this world whereby Nicki Minaj is the centre of
attention. Whilst portraying women as
positive, she also shows negativity on their
behalf however, the idea of this is hidden
through the sex appeal shown throughout the
video.