Hip-Hop conventions

By PatsonHip-Hop conventions

1. Voyeuristic females- groupiesOne of the generic conventions of hip-hop is to have seductive girls in the videos. It adds a layer of sexuality to a song.Most importantly, I believe that the usage of beautiful women in seductive clothing is to make the rapper appear as more of a man, and a winner in life.

AnglesThere are many low-angled, close up shots in hip hop videos, to imply the artists power over their audience. The low angle gives them the power, because they look down on the audience and the close up illustrates status because it implies theyre important enough to have a frame to themselves.

Partying crowds.In hip hop music videos, a crowd is usually shown dancing or bouncing their arms in time to the beat of the song. This makes them look as if they are actually dancing to the song, which implies that they like the song. This gives credibility to the song/artist, because it shows that people do like the song, which makes it easier for the audience to like the song.

CostumeThe costume is generally basketball shirts or other sporting attire, to signify strength and sporting prowess, something amplified by physical workouts in music videos. Diamond Chains, rings and watches are used to show off the rappers wealth. Expensive jewellery in R Kellys Ignition and 50 Cents In Da Club. There are lots of references to the wealth of the artist through the use of mise-en- scene (money, cars, jewellery etc.). Expensive things signify wealth, which supposedly signifies status. Expensive car and a stack of money in Nicki Minajs Superbass

PromotionIn hip hop, it is status quo for artists to work together and promote each others work (eg. G Unit). Dr. Dre helped launch Eminems career, so he features in many of Eminems The Real Slim Shady My Name Is videos. Some artists have running themes throughout their songs, which are reflected in their videos. Eminems songs have a running theme of mental health instability, so he reflects it in his videos.