Analysis 3: Jay Z - 99 Problems

Jay Z' '99 problems' was released in 2004. This video has a narrative structure with addition to performance. 
 In Jay Z's video, everything you'd expect to see in a Hip Hop music video is there. Wearing designer clothing and a lot of bling to show of his wealth. Gangs, police and fighting are all involved at some point throughout the video too which is a convention of Hip Hop. However the location of the video contrasts this as it's filmed in a poor poverty area with from what we see also has high crime rates. This could show where he has grown up which contrasts with his 'riches' side as appose to 'rags'.

Many different camera techniques are used throughout this music video, for example two shots. These help to create a personal connection with the viewer. Establishing shots are used throughout so that the audience can have an idea of where they are with a view of the scene. Mnay shots in the video are taken through architectural perspectives.

This image shows the artist being bigger than everything which shows he's an important character in the video. This shows a proffessional atmosphere to the song too. Close ups are also used throughout to emphasise certain aspects of the video.

The music video is quite fast paced and adventurous through the use of editing. Flickering from one scene to the next very quickly. This creates an incentive so the viewer may want to see it again because they didn't catch a glimpse of a certain aspect of the clip. Quick cuts alsospeed up the pace of the editing which feeds in with the pacing of the song and rapping. Transitions throughout keep the clips flowing from one to another which is also created by the use of black and white throughout. These are all generic conventions of Hip Hop.

The females in the video, as usual for Hip Hop are wearing very provocotive clothing if any. whereas the males are shown in a way that makes them look 'gangsta'.
Synchronous sound and visuals throughtout gives us a clear meaning of what the artist is rapping about. For example when he says 'God' theres a clip of a crucifix, 'from the hood' Jay Z pulls his hood down, and when he says 'bitches' theres clips of females. This is stereotypical however most male artist may refer to females as their 'bitches'. The story of the video is clear and being pulled over by the police is showing on of his '99 problems'.
The lighting in this video is low key throughout. This is because of the use of black and white which doesn't emphasise any key lighting.
As most Hip Hop videos, the use of props shows the audience the violent place they're in.
The artist, Jay Z, is in his music video. However he's not shown consistently. This may be because he is already well known and doesn't need to show his face all the time.