Music Video Representations (Research)

As research before we get into our coursework groups, we were given the task to choose a music video of our own choice and answer the following questions:

• How is the artist being represented?
• How are the lyrics being represented?
• What is the overall effect of the video on the audience?

For this, I chose the song ' Men In Black' by Will Smith:

Here are my findings:

How is the artist being represented?

Well, Will Smith, throughout the whole of the music video, is in his character from the film 'Men In Black', Agent J. Therefore its hard to say how the actual artist is being represented, seeing as we are only seeing how his character is being represented. He wears dark sunglasses throughout the majority of the video, which could connote secrecy, which is a them explored quite often by the Men In Black, linking to the films.

There are also certain points in which Will seems to be escorted around the place by two female 'bodyguards'. This is unusual as it gives off the message that he is in a much weaker position, going against the usual stereotyping of the masculine authority.

there is much direct address from Will as well. From this, we get two feelings. The first, and most obvious, is threatening. This is also reflected in the lyrics (see next question). However, you could also get a friendly vibe from it as well, seeing as the whole video is almost a 'parody' of other videos.

How are the lyrics being represented?

For this question, I took various sections of the lyrics and analysed them:

"..Don't fear us, cheer us, if you ever get near us, don't jeer us, we're fearless.."

     - This is demanding/ threatening. Saying don't actually be scared of them, but if you go against them, then they'll retaliate due to their "fearless" nature.

"..we're your first, last and only line of defence against the worse scum of the universe.."

     - Again links to the film; signifies organisation's (MIB) importance to the world, raising his status when compared to ordinary people in the world.

"..Do what we say thats the way we kick it, y'na mean?.."

     - This has a double meaning. Threatening as its telling you that you HAVE to follow their instructions, but at the same time is slightly more friend-like, particularly shown through .."y'na mean?.."

What is the overall effect of the music video on the audience?

Well, its a very upbeat, "get up and dance" style song, although it is a promotional video for the release of the soundtrack for the film itself. There are also certain sections of the music video that seem to have real-life interactions with the audience, although not actually being real-life, echoed through the use of the 'neautralizer' at the end of the video.