Conventions of a Hip-Hop

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Conventions of a Hip-Hop by Mind Map: Conventions of a Hip-Hop

1. Mise-en-scene

1.1. The mise-en-scene in the music video establishes the artist in a party, usually entering beginning the narrative. In 2000's Hip-Hop, the high-key lighting usually a tint, looking almost yellow to reflect gold which then reflects their gold. The setting is always filled with people and that is still present in today's hip-hop music videos, to show to emphasise their popularity. Hip-Hop/ Grime is all about bravado and so to have a loyal audience boosts that.

1.1.1. The stereotypical Hip-Hop video shows the artist and his entourage wearing sportswear and jewelry, this connotes that they work hard to make their money, through sweat and in the Hip-Hop community, they refer it to 'grinding hard'. However, in Grime the outfits are completely opposite, it is understated and simple usually them wearing a black ensemble composed of a black hoodie, which has become a recognisable symbol of their genre. The issue of the black hoodie is controversial and feared by mainstream adults, so the genre itself is feared. Similarly, the Grime artists do wear sportswear, recently Stormzy wore an Adidas tracksuit in his music video 'Shut up'. The artists of both genres are commonly endorsed to wear it due to their popularity, they are able to sell it well.

2. Voyeurism

2.1. This is a motif pervasive in the music videos of Hip-Hop artists, were females are present and shown performing sexually suggestive dance moves. Laura Mulvey affirmed 'the male gaze' in which the women are objectified for the male viewing pleasure. This theory applies perfectly to the videos, some may argue that Grime does not do due to it not including women in the videos. However, mainstream Grime videos are shown using a scantily-clad female in their narrative, only to highlight the machismo of the male artist, as he is able to get any women he desires. Essentially, this goes back to the male bravado persona, most if not all Hip-Hop/Grime artists project to their audiences.

2.1.1. Dizzie Rascal- Dance wiv Me

3. Camerawork

3.1. There will most definitely be lower angles in Hip-Hop videos, it is an overused technique to showcase the superiority of the artist, which coincides with Andrew Goodwin's theory relation between lyrics and visuals. Evident in 50 cent's 'In Da Club' as he brags about his success. 'If you talkin about money homie, I ain't concerned' his superiority and his peers' too stem from their financial wealth, which was not the case in their upbringing, that is why they feel they have the right to brag. On the other hand, Grime has a different philosophy, the artists are very much rooted in their upbringing and still showcase that through the many long shots of their council homes. In the London music scene, boastful behaviour is not favoured and usually will leave you vulnerable to attacks, the incident of Wiley, who is considered the Godfather of Grime was mugged in the late 2000's due to the increase in his success proves that.

4. What is the origin of Hip-Hop?

4.1. Hip Hop emerged in the 1970s from Bronx, NYC, it was an underground music movement developing in the urban areas. There is a specific focus on the disc jockey, the rapper and the break-dancer.

4.1.1. The history of the sub-genre, Grime emerged in 2000s, similarly from the urban areas in East London. It is a fusion of garage music, techno beats and the rapping style from Hip Hop.

5. Editing

5.1. The editing style of the genre and sub-genre of Hip-Hop and Grime is fast-paced and various scenes are usually compacted. Now that Hip-Hop is in the mainstream and considered 'pop music', it has to appeal to the young consumers. Which is why the post-production is quickly done, to saturate the music market and computer effects are put in, to not only entertain but almost quicken the video as it distracts you. This reflects in the music, with the catchy and erratic beats of the music.

5.2. Kanye West- All of the Lights