Music video analysis - Jay Z

99 Problems Music Video Analysis – Jay-Z:

•  
• ·      Not much scopophilia as he is saying he doesn’t have a problem with girls.
• ·      Black & white effect – ‘ghetto stylee’ – opposing old NY films, dull run- down, urban 
• ·      Low camera angles – making Jay-Z look big 
•       Montage – random shots
• ·      Intertextual referencing – “this one’s for you Rick” – Rick Ruben – founder of Def Jam
• ·      Hip-hop genre – shows typical ‘thug life’ – graffiti, police, criminality, chains, baseball cap, big jacket, baggy jeans
• ·      Derogatory treatment of women – ‘bitch’ – shot of a dog, then women shot in bikinis
• ·      Illegal dog fight, prison, fences, setting – Brooklyn – run-down, basketball courts, balaclavas, shooting, street dancing – less about money aspect
• ·      Record shop shots repeated throughout – old school – keepin’ it real

• 

• -       Representing him as having musical integrity
•    Lots of close-ups of Jay-Z
•   Hand gestures
•    Exit signs crop up throughout – recurring motif
•    Recurring use of ‘the diamond’ throughout – reference to Rock Nation – promoting others on label as well as himself