An analysis of five different music videos chosen for their depictions of Gender Roles, Race, Sexuality, Materialism, and Violence.

1. Music Video Analysis
Gender Roles
Song Title: ________Little Game_________________
Artist: _____Benny___________________________
Directions: As you closely watch the music video, answer the following questions with as
much detail as possible.
1. What are the men/women doing? (Dancing, sitting, swimming, etc.)
In the beginning the men and women are separated in to boys and girls and giver
traditional colors and toys (blue & army pink & dolls, etc) Girld are playing dress up
and the buys are playing sports. Halfway through they are thrown into the “real”
world, and the pink & blue are mixed, not just into purple, but the boys get covered in
pink and the girls blue.
2. How are the men/women dressed? How much skin is revealed?
The age setting is in the pre-teens for both genders, the boys are in blue and the girls
are in pink. Not much skin aside from normal sports uniforms and ballet costumes.
3. Are there more, fewer, or the same number of men as women?
Same number of each
4. Describe the body language of the men/women: are they sitting, standing, gyrating,
mugging, etc.?
All are playing in the beginning, then one of each gender questions, then is ganged up
on by the remaining group until they are alienated for not conforming to gender rioles
5. Do the men/women have power? How do you know?
Yes, the cowardice of the one, and the ganging up of the others.
6. What³s the message of the song?
Traditional gender archetypes, and not fitting completely into either role.
7. What type of music is the song?
Dark Alt Pop

2. Music Video Analysis
Race
Song Title: __________Black or White____________________________
Artist: _____________Michael Jackson_________________________
Directions: As you closely watch the music video, answer the following questions with as
much detail as possible.
1. What races do you see represented?
Black, White, Indian, Russian, Asian…basically everything
2. Are there any dark skinned women shown? How many?
Yes, we lost count…a bunch
3. What is the race of the person at the focus of the video?
Black/white…Michael Jackson and Macaulay Culkin
4. What are the black/Latino/Asian/white/Native American/Pacific Islander people
doing?
Dancing with everyone else; also dancing in other countries
5. What³s the message of the song?
Race doesn’t matter
6. What type of music is the song?
Pop

3. Music Video Analysis
Sexuality
Song Title: ________Earned It______________________________
Artist: _____The Weeknd_________________________________
Directions: As you closely watch the music video, answer the following questions with as
much detail as possible.
1. Describe any sexually explicit body language:
Seven Dancers on a stage dressed in a g string with black tape on their nipples and
tape on their ass in the shape of an “X” dancing with bull whips that are cut too short,
dancing for the lone singler in an empty theater.
2. Who is more sexualized • men or women? Both?
The women are, they are basically nude while he is fully clothed, and the video goes to
imply him being sexual with her
3. Are there sexually explicit lyrics or messages?
Yes, pretty much the whole song
4. How are subjects of the music video dressed?
The women are naked except for nipple pasties and g strings, the man is fully clothed
in a suit.
5. Describe the relationships between the men and women: Are they long or short term?
Casual or serious?
Video shows a casual, but the lyrics imply more of a closer bond
6. What³s the message of the song?
A man can have deep feelings for his woman, but she has to do something to earn it
first.
7. What type of music is the song?
Hip-Hop

4. Music Video Analysis
Materialism
Song Title: ______Material Girl________________________________
Artist: __________Madonna____________________________
Directions: As you closely watch the music video, answer the following questions with as
much detail as possible.
1. Describe the products that are highlighted in the video: (cars, jewelry, clothes, etc.)
Fancy clothing and jewelry, fur and diamonds
2. Are any brand names shown?
No
3. How is wealth defined in the video?
A waterfall of dollar bills (maybe, can’t make out denomination), arms full of diamond
bracelets
4. Are products mentioned in the song lyrics?
Not by name
5. What³s the message of the song?
Girls value material wealth more than emotional satisfaction.
6. What type of music is the song?
Pop

5. Music Video Analysis
Violence
Song Title: _____My Life_________________________________
Artist: ________The Game, featuring Lil Wayne______
Directions: As you closely watch the music video, answer the following questions with as
much detail as possible.
1. Describe any violent lyrics in the song:
Take me away
Like I overdosed on cocaine
Or take me away like a bullet from Kurt Cobain
Suicide (Suicide..suicide..)
I'm from a Windy City, like "Do or Die"
From a block close to where Biggie was crucified
That was Brooklyn's Jesus
Shot for no f**kin' reason
2. Describe any violent body language:
Cops pulling guns, people getting shot
3. Describe any violent actions or weapons that are shown:
Pistols, bullets, alcohol
4. Describe any self-mutilation or violence:
Death from a gunshot wound, robbing a convience store, 4 people died
5. What³s the message of the song?
That’s how he (the artist) grew up, and what he saw almost every day. He’s wondering
why he himself hasn’t died yet.
6. What type of music is the song?
Rap