James Wakeling - Are music videos a site for challenging dominant ideologies, or do they simply reinforce simplistic stereotypes?

Public Enemy – Can’t Truss It

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CLhuv-kLj_I

Representations of slavery – members of the band in chains at auction
Strongly portrays the contrast between 19th century, and modern, American society – makes statement about connections – equivalent behaviour
Social commentary
Equal split between band performance and employed narrative/concept
First person mode of address – breaking of the fourth wall
Challenges social issues in regard to ethnicity - racism (in particular), rape, injustice/inequality, prejudice
Intended to provoke audience opinion/reaction – shows hanging scene at the end and has equivalent for modern period
‘Meat’ – several close ups of all band members
Illustrate


Jay Z – 99 Problems

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=b8TROSXUMBQ

Makes issue of inequality – police/judicial bias
Social commentary - American economic situation – inner city ghettos – more associated with black citizens
Reinforces representations of unjust society in terms of ethnicity
Culturally positioned
First person mode of address – breaking of the fourth wall
Illustrate – provides images for specific lyrics
Contains elements of commodification


Bjork – Hunter

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AfwBoumNpmc

Goffman, Jhally and Kilbourne
Challenges convention of women in music videos – completely bald
Unconventional mainstream female attractiveness
Challenges ‘artificial look’, commodification
Grain of voice
Significant disjuncture
Reinforces her position as ‘the other’/avant-garde – niche, alternative
‘Meat’ – one long close up held throughout
First person mode of address throughout entire video
‘Narrative Fuzz’?
Culturally positioned
Transformational power – CGI effects


Amy Winehouse – You Know I’m No Good

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=A8TwNEDo6kY

Goffman, Jhally and Kilbourne
BOTH – challenges and reinforces representations of women
Opening shot reminiscent of mob boss role – desk, whisky
But encourages male attention – male gaze – costume/performance
Incorporates elements of ‘dismemberment’
Unconventional female attractiveness – tattoos etc.
First person mode of address – breaking of the fourth wall
Combination of performance and concept
Illustrate/Disjuncture
Grain of voice
Challenges ‘artificial look’
Incorporates ‘Ritualization of subordination’
Reinforces her position as avant-garde – niche, alternative