Representations In Music Video- All eyes on you

What is a representation? How the artist or band is portrayed within a video (including their gender, race or class) and how it portrays elements found within the video.

Some music videos represent aspects of reality found within the society which they reshape in order to make the media product more appealing to current audience. In order to succeed the producers use stereotypical associations as it makes the videos easier to understand for the audience.

                              
This music video goes by the title 'All Eyes On You' by Meek Mill ft. Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown. This music video is based on the genre of hip hop and rap. Through this video various stereotypes have been presented, some of which include black people and some based upon the genre of the video. In this task I will be discussing examples of these stereotypes and screen shots from the music video to support my discussion.

Right at the start of the music video the representation of race and class is quite unusual, as it is presenting a counter type. Nicki Minaj and the rest of the singers are being presented as a rich and high class through this two scenes and other scenes within the music video. The stereotypical idea of black people being seen as low class and poor is definitely not the case in this music video. This theory is by Stuart Hall as he stated "The media and therefore audience often blur race and class. Often associating particular races with a particular class." As we can see through the screen shots the location is placed in a mansion which is very high class. Also, their clothing and gold jewelry further emphasises how rich they are. This is considered as stereotypical association. There's another stereotype within this screen shot which shows Nicki Minaj as being feminine and sensitive. The screen shot shows this because she is simply laying down, not put into a shot where she is aggressive or strong hearted.

Another stereotype which I have noticed within this music video is mainly about the male genre and black race. A stereotypical association of black people is shown through the mise-en-scene of this music video and the body language. The clip show typical raper associations due to their costumes including hoodies, tattoos and caps which are considered a symbol of crime. This negative representation is also seen through youth community, causing theoretical threat to the society. Another element is piercing and chains are very characteristic to this genre as well as race, as this has connotations of wealth and power, this is because gold is expensive. As I have mentioned above this also relates to Stuart Hall's theory as audience tend to blur race and class. This is applied to this example because black people are often associated with low class, because of the stereotypical representations and historical background. This could be related to archaeology theory giving a sense of 'history being the present.

In addition, the third character which is featured within the music video is Chris Brown. He also suits with the stereotypical representation of a raper for the similar reasons as I have mentioned above for Meek Mill. This includes mise-en-scene, props and physical appearance. Their body language is also an association which is focused on black male. There gestures, poses and aggressive facial expressions allow them to feel more powerful, dominant and confident.

Further on during the music video the last artist Nicki Minaj is being objectified. This is shown through the mise-en-scene, as the clothing are particularly seductive including high heels, bikini and exposing outfits. This fits into the stereotype and theory of black woman being objectified, which is suggested by Bell Hooks 'colour codes' in which black woman are sexualised particularly within this music genre and R&B music videos. On the other hand, lighter skinned woman are considered and portrayed as being better looking. This music video supports the Bell Hooks theory and the stereotypical representation of black woman. However this music video does show a counter type as the story of the music video shows Nicki Minaj as being wanted and desirable to men. This is because it shows her in love with someone. This does show that the attractiveness of woman is based on John Berger's theory which is 'Men look, woman appear', therefore this idea is not aimed at a specific race but genre.

Another screen shot which supports the theory of John Berger. The screen shot shows a man's natural objectifying woman as well as the stereotypical association of black race man being sexual. In addition, a theory which is also represented is the 'male gaze' by Laura Mulvey. This theory suggests woman are portrayed as passive objects of a male desire.This is further supported through the woman's dance and postures which also convey that they are submissive to what a man sexual wants and desires.