artist research & music video analysis

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Drake is an R&B and Hip-Hop artist performing as both a rapper and a singer. Releasing his first single in 2006, Drake has since worked with several other hip-hop artists such as Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Kanye West, Eminem, and Jay-Z. As a group we think that there's a selection of his songs that could prove successful if we chose to use them in our music video. To date he has produced 7 music videos and featured in another 13. In addition to making his own music, Drake has also written for other artists in the industry such as Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx and more. He also tends to feature or remix tracks that he has written for other artists. Music Videos Drake - Over Drake - Find Your Love Drake - Miss Me Video Style (Settings, Dress, Props etc.) Rich, glamorous setting. Mansion with a giant swimming pool and lavishly decorated rooms. Fireworks and high contrast lighting used. Simple, classic dress with black jacket, vest and chain as well as a suit. Props include a gold throne with red velvet, lots of gold fixtures, tables filled with tiny chocolates and flower petals. Dark and bleak setting; locations include a beach after sunset, back alleys, a club and a recording studio. Low key lighting used with a low contrast, depressive vibe going on. Very dressed down in casual wear with a hoody and jeans. Sam Lenny

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Page 1: Artist research & music video analysis

Drake is an R&B and Hip-Hop artist performing as both a rapper and a singer. Releasing his first single in 2006, Drake has since worked with several other hip-hop artists such as Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, Kanye West, Eminem, and Jay-Z. As a group we think that there's a selection of his songs that could prove successful if we chose to use them in our music video. To date he has produced 7 music videos and featured in another 13. In addition to making his own music, Drake has also written for other artists in the industry such as Alicia Keys, Jamie Foxx and more. He also tends to feature or remix tracks that he has written for other artists.

Music Videos

Drake - Over

Drake - Find Your Love

Drake - Miss Me

Music Video Style (Settings, Dress, Props etc.)

Rich, glamorous setting. Mansion with a giant swimming pool and lavishly decorated rooms. Fireworks and high contrast lighting used. Simple, classic dress with black jacket, vest and chain as well as a suit. Props include a gold throne with red velvet, lots of gold fixtures, tables filled with tiny chocolates and flower petals.

Dark and bleak setting; locations include a beach after sunset, back alleys, a club and a recording studio. Low key lighting used with a low contrast, depressive vibe going on. Very dressed down in casual wear with a hoody and jeans.

Sam Lenny

Page 2: Artist research & music video analysis

Music Video Breakdown: Drake – Over

The video begins with a medium shot of the artist on a bed with flashing images appearing in his silhouette. Then a tilt from his jacket upwards gradually shows the artists face as he begins singing.

Various effects are added in this scene including inverts and various images in his silhouette such as fire. Close-ups of the artists face are frequently added in here showing him singing.

Once the beat drops, a range of fast moving images are projected on to the bedroom walls such as sped up shots of people moving round a city and sped up shots of patterns of light.

As the chorus slows down images of moving clouds are projected on to the wall. Then once the first chorus hits the artist is shown singing against a black background- a mix of medium and medium-close-ups are used here.

The next set up featured in the first verse shows a series of medium and long shots at a straight-on angle of the singer this time dancing and singing against a pale grey background with the singer adopting a Michael Jackson style in both dress and performance. Various effects were added which made the singers silhouette be enlarged, zoomed in and out, doubled etc.

Throughout the video, shots of the bedroom scene are woven in with a further number of effects such as the negative effect shown here. Shots were shown from both low and straight on angles making the singer look both powerful and casual.

Sam Lenny

Page 3: Artist research & music video analysis

The next set up shows the artist with a large group of faded doubles walking around in a sped-up motion linking to the particular line he was singer. This was shown as a long shot at a straight on angle.

For the second verse, a range of new aspects are thrown in, the verse starts with the artist singing to the left of the shot at a medium angle with fire to the right. Over the whole shot a glass sheet is seen smashing. Lastly, the lyrics flash up on the screen word for word.

Towards the end of the song, medium shots and close-ups are interspersed of a female lead in a glamorous setting with velvet curtains and gold fixtures & dress.

Then the two are brought together however not in the same scene, editing is used to bring both into the same picture. The female lead then fades into thin air as the artist looks at the camera straight on.

As the last verse kicks in, all previous shots are shown with the artist really giving it his all. The bedroom scene is used quite a lot at this point with the images screened on the wall being energetic and lively.

In the last shot the camera pans round the artists face at a close-up before this final medium shot is shown fading into complete darkness.

Sam Lenny

Page 4: Artist research & music video analysis

Music Videos

David Guetta ft. Kid Cudi – Memories

David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland – When Love Takes Over

David Guetta ft. Akon – Sexy Chick

David Guetta is a world famous DJ and house music producer. He started as a DJ during the 1980s but found real fame as he released his first album Just a Little More Love in 2002. He later released Guetta Blaster (2004) and Pop Life (2007). He has since worked with a range of top artists from Kelly Rowland and Akon to Kid Cudi and Rihanna. Guetta has sold over three million albums and 15 million singles worldwide. He is currently one of the most sought-after music producers.

Music Video Style (Settings, Dress, Props etc.)

Casual wear- hoody and jeans, street settings – alleys, past parks and buildings, Barbour's, a club, no specific colour filters used until club scene with neon pink and blue.

Beach party themed with settings on and around a tropical beach, dressed very upmarket however in a casual setting, props include DJ decks being wheeled to the party and American flag. Rich colour filter used at certain points where it looks bright and glamorous.

Sam Lenny

Page 5: Artist research & music video analysis

Music Video Breakdown: David Guetta – Where Them Girls At

The video begins with an establishing shot over the skyline of Los Angeles. The camera then cuts to birds-eye view shot of the streets of L.A.

As the location is revealed, the shots turn more intimate with long shots of individual streets with typical occurrences such as cars driving down streets. This is where the concept of the video comes into play: the idea is that the artist is DJing from a rooftop with the speakers producing giant bubbles.

An over the shoulder shot is then shown of the artist staring into the distance as the giant bubbles (produced by the speakers) float on down to the streets.

Long shots at the slightly low angle are then shown of the first singer walking onto the scene, an extreme long shot is then shown with the first singer standing across the pool with barely dressed woman around him as he starts singing establishing the type of artist he is.

A medium shot is then shown of a pool goer sitting by the pool then getting hit by one of the giant bubbles. This makes her dance uncontrollable in an eccentric way. Medium and long shots of other woman doing the same thing are also shown.

As this singer finishes his verse, the pool scene is left with high angles then shown of the bubbles having an effect on woman on the street as well.

Sam Lenny

Page 6: Artist research & music video analysis

The roof scene is then again shown, from a low angle, a singer is shown filming the bubbles on a top of the range phone; this is where product placement is used.

The next singer is then shown in an art gallery surrounded by men, bubbles are floating all around her. A series of cuts are used here showing her singing from different angles and shots.

All the attention then goes to the main artist, close-ups of his DJ decks are shown and then the camera pans round to the speakers producing the bubbles. A close-up is then shown of the speakers.

From the rooftop, an extreme high angle is shown of the crowds gathered on the street to watch the bubbles. They are then all shown enjoying the music and making their way towards the entrance of the entrance rooftop.

A low angle is then shown of the civilians jumping and dancing to the sound of the music as the artist looks on in content . Close-ups and long shots are both used here to show the happiness and excitement people are showing.

As the video ends, low angles are used of the artist making him look powerful and superior, especially as a DJ. As the video ends, an extreme long shot is used showing the bubbles drift off into the distance.

Sam Lenny

Page 7: Artist research & music video analysis

Samantha Recknell

Page 8: Artist research & music video analysis

Samantha Recknell

Page 9: Artist research & music video analysis

Samantha Recknell

Page 10: Artist research & music video analysis

Samantha Recknell

Page 11: Artist research & music video analysis

Samantha Recknell

Page 12: Artist research & music video analysis

Rihanna was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados. Becoming an international sensation, Rihanna is known for blending R&B with Caribbean music, such as reggae and dancehall.Rihanna was originally marketed as a reggae singer since she burst into the music scene in 2005, with a styles of pop, R&B and dancehall. Her music include various styles of musical genres, including contemporary R&B, dance-pop and the Caribbean music styles of reggae and dancehall. With the release of Music of the Sun and its lead single "Pon de Replay", Jason Birchmeier of All music described Rihanna's musical style as "synthesize Caribbean rhythms and beats with standard-issue urban dance-pop: Caribbean-inflected urban, if you will." Rihanna is described as utilizing "dancehall-lite beats and a reggae vocal cadence."

Influences:Rihanna has named Madonna as her idol and biggest influence, and said she wants to be the "black Madonna“. She said: "I think that Madonna was a great inspiration for me, especially on my earlier work. If I had to examine her evolution through time, I think she reinvented her clothing style and music with success every single time. And at the same time remained a real force in entertainment in the whole world." Rihanna also cited Mariah Carey as her influence and idol. She said "I looked up to Mariah a lot and I still do. I admire her as an artist, and to compete with her was a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life.

Kanye Omari West, born June 8, 1977 is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Janet Jackson. His style of production originally used pitched-up vocal samples from soul songs incorporated with his own drums and instruments. However, subsequent productions saw him broadening his musical palette and expressing influences encompassing '70s R&B, baroque pop, trip hop, arena rock, folk, alternative, electronica, synth-pop, and classical music.

West has said that Wu-Tang Clan producer RZA influenced him in his style and has said on numerous occasions that Wu-Tang rappers Ghostface Killah and Ol' Dirty Bastard were some of his all-time favourites.

These are a few songs Kayne has produced- Click on the Link Below:

Touch the Sky- http://www.vevo.com/watch/kanye-west/touch-the-sky-mtv-version/USUV70600111?source=instantsearch

Stronger- http://www.vevo.com/watch/kanye-west/stronger/USUV70704067?source=instantsearch

All of the Lights- http://www.vevo.com/watch/kanye-west/all-of-the-lights/USUV71002949?source=instantsearch

Becky Youngs

Page 13: Artist research & music video analysis

I am going to choose one of Kayne West’s song out of the three I have looked at, I will pause them throughout the duration of the video and screen shot them so I can analyse them according to what I am looking at.

Immediately the start of the film is giving us something to read, the black and white effect shows us that this maybe isn't suppose to resemble a recent era but a past memory.

The medium shot shows us where she is but doesn’t take the focus right off of her, we are able to tell that she is completely on her own, which gives a proffered reading of danger or loneliness and uncared for.

This shot gives us a clear idea of where the video is set and how the song will revolve around the atmosphere. We as the audience instantly think of danger, gangs and violence when we see and estate like this, the fact that it is in black and white too gives it a more gritty run down feeling.

This distant shot gives us a clear view to where she is, ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’ also shows us a visual image of the term commonly used when something good is going to come out of something you have done, whereas this doesn’t look like its going to happen in the previous shots we have seen in the video.

This is a close up shot, it shows a very clear expression on her face which tells us of the atmosphere she must be in.

Editing was used here, fast change of colour made everything look confusing and disorientated, I think this was meant to give an example of how the little girl is feeling.

Music Video Breakdown: Kanye West ft. Rihanna - All Of The Lights

Becky Youngs

Page 14: Artist research & music video analysis

Here editing has been used for the writing, a black background has been used so that the writing stands out clearly. Several effects have been used to make the writing travel in and out of the shot. Big Bold text is used for two of the shots and a hazy light effect is used for the last one.

This is a medium close up of Kayne, it shows him on a simple background so the main focus is on him, the shot shows his costume and accessories, giving him a look of fashion and wealth.

This shot shows him on a police car, this could connotate violence and rebellious attitudes. The medium shot shows his whole body but only a bit of his surroundings, this makes you focus on him with your full attention without being distracted.

In this shot of Rihanna shows that her part in the video is too look sexual and seductive. The black background she is in front of makes her red hair stand out and draws our attention straight to what she is doing.

Here I print screened four shots and categorized them together, there was editing used here to make the words flick between one another at a fast pace.

Becky Youngs

Page 15: Artist research & music video analysis

The lighting used here changes in a very fast repetitive motion, this makes it eye catching and we want to watch more. The songs title ‘All of the Lights’ relates to these shots. There are both medium and close up shots used here. The first print screen is a medium shot, it shows the main part of his body including the torso and his face, he is pointing towards us so this obviously needs to be noticed. The seconds print screen is a close up shot of him singing, it focuses on his face and accessories this could connote either a important moment in the song or wealth (accessories).

This is a close up shot of the little girl we have previously seen in the video, it shows her looking as though she is certain to where she is and doesn’t look threatened which is how we saw her before.

There has been editing used here, it shows the word ‘lights’ moving out slowly, Rihanna behind with a edited pink shade shows her singing, there is a lot going on in this shot at the same time so keeps our attention.

This shot shows Kayne dancing, the fading of him moving gives a clear example of the editing used, the above shot used shows us a clear view of him and his emotions he looks happy and this shows us a clear difference from what we saw at the beginning of the music video.

Becky Youngs

Page 16: Artist research & music video analysis

Alicia Keys

I have chosen 3 possible music videos to analyse, I have included links for all 3.

Click on the songs to view the videos

1. Try sleeping with a broken heart- I decided to add an analysis of this video, to show more effects and editing that has been used.

2. Like you’ll never seen me again

3. Fallin’- This is the song I have chosen to analyse. I think this best portrays people and locations giving us ideas that we could use for our own videos. Charlotte Ellis

Page 17: Artist research & music video analysis

The video begins with a close up shot of the artist. We can clearly see her facial expressions giving us a in-depth view of how she is feeling including her emotional attachment with this song.

A full length shot has been used to show the area/ location the singer is in. The image shows a downtown image of a run-down area. Here we can also see what the artist is wearing, we are able to view her full image.

The next view shows a close up shot of props the artist has used to add effect to her video adding an alternative to her music. We see multiple close-ups of the piano suggesting importance and its relation to the song.

Here is a medium close-up of the artist playing the piano, this image is repeated throughout the video. The image of playing the piano sets a mood, we would normally relate playing the piano with older singers this is not generally an aspect involved in R'n'B videos.

Here is another medium close-up of the artist walking down the street, we can see people as normal in the background, they add an effect to the video and shows the video is not affected by them. Continuity editing is again used here for when she is walking showing continuous filming.

This shot represents a gang of people in the video this could be used to reflect the type of location the video has been set in or could be used as an influence for the song itself. This offers pleasure to the viewer as they can see the group having fun.

A zoomed out shot has been used to show a location and the bus as a prop showing her change of place. This adds to the rhythm movement in the song. This can also be used to show continuity editing as this is shown on a continuous line, this is called a track movement.

The artist is looking out of the bus window, we can guess she might be reflecting the past, we can tell this from her facial expression. This could be an anxious feeling from what she is about to do next. This image has been shown to make it appear like she is moving.

Fallin’-

Charlotte Ellis

Page 18: Artist research & music video analysis

The mise-en scene of this pictures shows a group of women on a bus, this image has been added for a reason. This leads on to the build up of the video where the artist goes to visit her love in prison.

This image gives off innocence and could have been added to reflect the past. This is a zoom in shot, we can clearly see the baby’s face. This could also have been added to represent the man in his younger years.

A full length shot has been used to show everything in the frame, the photos are of importance and the artist wants us to know this. This can also be seen as a fun photo as the photos are spread all over the floor.

Another close up shot of the artists face shows passion and feeling through her emotion. This emphasises the feeling in the song. A pan movement adds to the effect as this follows her face movement while singing.

The spray of images could have been added to show past memories, looking through their past reflecting on their life. We notice the last image is of the guy she is going to visit in prison this is significant. The camera looks down on the images like we would imagine she is looking down. This way we see what she is looking at.

A zoom out shot reflects the location, the mise-en scene in this shot shows the bus and the people wearing orange is significant as this gives us some clue as to where she may be heading, gives us an insight into what is happening. We have the feeling the image is dark due to the dark sky in the background behind the tall trees.

The sky darkens the mood in this picture as there are dark grey clouds. This could have been used on purpose as this could be representing the people working below this shows some bad in the video, we know why they are there.

The speakers we can see in the shot here starts off the video, this projects the music that we are about to hear. The camera slowly hovers and then zooms in on the speakers when we see the singer turning the radio on and the music begin playing.

Charlotte Ellis

Page 19: Artist research & music video analysis

Try sleeping with a broken heart

The video begins with the effect of purple waves this shows a continuous movement as the camera follows the waves for a few minutes before showing a transition to the artist lying on a bed. For the first few minutes the bed is her main prop, this is where the movement and song starts. The bed deliberately has silk purple sheets on to allow the movement to flow and appear like the same image. This then reveals the artist with a medium close-up shot, at this point there is no singing just music playing in the background.

Props have been used for this shot, the bed and the window. The song begins with her wearing this outfit which she changes more than once through the video. The camera tilts vertically upright following the artist as she moves from lying down to sitting up this is a continuous movement. The windows in the background show light on the artist adding brightness to the shot.

This is the first of many split screens used in this video, this effects allows you to view two different shots at the same time, they can be taken from the same or different locations. In this particular shot we can see her eyes and can see they are very heavily made up, we think the other shot could be showing what she is looking at.

Here is another split screen but this time the split is down the middle rather than from left to right. One image is showing a medium close-up shot of the artist, the other is showing a close up of a pattern on her back, this could have been done deliberately to ensure the viewer sees this. For this image we notice her top has a low back delibertaely to show the patterns/picture she has on her big this is a significant part of the shot.

This is a darker shot, dark at the top and light bursting in through the bottom. The camera is looking down at the movement of the artist going down the stairs showing a continuous movement. This also switches to the next shot of her walking out of the door. This shows a change of location we switch from a dark screen to a bright screen, she is now outside. We can tell this image has been taken in a run down area by the graffiti on the walls and the look of the bins surrounding in the right hand bottom corner.

The artists appears to have gone back to an old location here, again the spot light is on her and the rest of the shot is dark. The camera appears to have been positioned at the top of the stairs looking down on the artist showing a full length shot. At this point she has her face away from the camera, looking down at the ground by pointing the camera down this gives of that effect.

Charlotte Ellis

Page 20: Artist research & music video analysis

We notice mise-en scene in this photo, the iconic background the props that have been included to suit the appropriate background e.g. the graffiti and the bins. This shot shows a track movement of the artist walking down the street this shows a continuous movement. This is used a lot throughout the video. All shots have been edited to flow as a full continuous movements one shots switches to another.

In these shots we notice she is wearing a jacket this is her main prop throughout the video along with her sunglasses which cover her eyes giving a hint of mystery, although we notice she changes her outfit several times. The camera switches to a front medium close-up of the artist. Switching from a side view to a front view. Gradually making circles round the artist giving the watcher a view from either side. This close up shot is used in multiple scenes throughout the video.

The Mise-en scene in this shot shows her wearing a different outfit, she is no longer wearing sunglasses at this point. Here the camera switches back to a previous location the full shot view of her at the bottom of the stairs then to a medium close up of her face showing her movement in line with the camera. This again is a split screen which has been split vertically allowing us to view two different shots at the same time.

This shot shows another split screen but this time showing two different locations. Or could be the same location but shown at two different times. The light is reflecting on one location creating a divide between shots. This shows a horizontal split.

They have edited in a split screen at this point, this shows a medium shot from two different angles. At first the camera reflect the side of her walking again by using a track shot then switches to a front shot of the artist where you personally walk forward with her. This allows you to see what is behind her again showing you a location from a different point in the video.

This shot is mainly showing the weather during the video, we can see it is sunny this shows a bursting ray of sunshine. This helps when adding lighting into the shot, this would be easy as this is not something you have to consider yourself the weather is already built in for you.

The Mise-en scene changes a lot for this shot, here there are two women both looking identical in outfits and positioning. We notice they are both riding motorcycles. This shot switches from one looking at the other then showing us who/what they are looking at. This then shows a circular shot.

For this image we notice the artist has changed her outfit again, this time her outfit suits the mood she is in. We notice she is wearing a bright purple jumpsuit the colour stands out from the dull grey background this is significant. Again this is a split screen on one side we have a view of buildings possibly in new York we think and on the other side we have her standing on top of one of these buildings, the shot switches from two points in time.

Charlotte Ellis

Page 21: Artist research & music video analysis

Samantha Recknell

Page 22: Artist research & music video analysis

Samantha Recknell

Page 23: Artist research & music video analysis

Samantha Recknell

Page 24: Artist research & music video analysis

Samantha Recknell

Page 25: Artist research & music video analysis

Samantha Recknell

Page 26: Artist research & music video analysis

Samantha Recknell