Beyonce - Formation

Nicki Minaj - Anaconda (2014)

Very explicit video

Longshot of 4 BME women - sexualised. 

Very revealing clothing. All Costumes are the same creating the idea that all black women are the same. Not individual. 

A lot of the other shots are taken in a jungle setting - creates the idea that they are wild and uncivilised. 

The representation of the stereotypical black female body - curvy and thick. Which is both positive and negative as it shames people who don't have the body type but also praises people who do.

Nicki Minaj is taking on a very typical black stereotype. As well as the fact that she plays a very stereotypical house wife role ( white women ) but in a very seductive way. This creates the message that black women are sexually promiscuous.

A lot of female's pop songs are about love, breakups or finding someone. But Anaconda is about sex, drugs and killing a boyfriend. Which is completely subversive 

Lil Pump - Gucci Gang (2017) 

The use of the tiger in the video creates the idea that BME groups are dangerous. The binary opposition of the tiger inside the school corridor creates the message that he is rebellious. 

The ammount of weed in the video connotes the idea that he is a drug dealer. He is part of the "under class" - not part of society and is a gangster. Provides the audience with the gratification of escapism.

The use of slang and closed code means that people won't always understand what his lyrics are on about.

The lighting and certain aspects of the video create the hallucengenic feel of being on drugs and tripping out.

Gesture of Lil Pump chucking his weed sack at the old white female teacher creates the idea of breaking the law and destroying the hegemonic codes 


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Beyonce - Formation (2016)

Within this music video the producer encodes themes of violence and conflict

Mise en scene of the police car mid shots used frequently throughout the music video. Symbolises rebellion. This is further emphasised  by her powerful a facial expressions.
Intertextual conflict - Police persecution of black people and Black Lives Matter 
Mid shot of Beyonce hanging out of the car, conflicts with these calm facial expressions.


Cuts between poor, dilapidated neighbourhood contrasting with the rich Antebellum house. (Antebellum - Deep South American styled houses) The connotation of this house is of slavery as the house would have been owned by a white man. 


Beyonce's costume is called an "Antebellum dress". Would've been worn by the Slave Master's wife. Creates a binary opposition as she is BME. Cultural Appropriation it also demonstrate's Beyonce's power over the past.

C O N T E X T

Formation is the lead single for Beyonce's album "Lemonade". It was released the day before Beyonce performed at the Super Bowl final in February 2016.

The music video won loads of awards and was praised by many.

The video is set against the backdrop of the flooding in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and the associated racial tension in America, and also draws historical parallels with references to racism and slavery.

How does dance and movement encode meaning within the music video?

Importance placed on the idea of hair throughout the video as the whole music video explores the idea of embracing your roots. Through the use of a midshot here we are drawn to focus on her movement and direct address and appreciate the deeper meaning.

Longshot of a group dance. High energy and united. Shows the confidence Beyonce has in herself. The zooming in shows how she is the leading character and is recognised as a powerful figure within the black lives matter movement.

Mid shot. The connotations of this gesture shows a rebellion against slavery. The jewels and costume shows the idea of wealth. Direct mode of address used, confronting the camera. Aggression towards the audience placing us in an uncomfortable situation. 

Generally the movements Beyonce makes within the video are all made with purpose as well as being blunt and aggressive 

The video is highly polysemic

The music video references "That B.E.A.T" Bagheri, 2012. The video includes shots from the documentary. Intertextual references. Allows Beyonce to explore an aspect of black culture.

HYPERREALITY - This refers to the idea that representations within Media texts are more real than than reality.

Some of these representations are simulacrum . This refers to a representation of something that no longer exists or something that never exists.

A term created by Jean Baudrillard.

Bricolage is a media product which combines lots of different elements from lots of different time periods and styles.

Why use Bricolage?To present a specific meaning to the audience. In over 100 years there is still discrimination against Black people and time has not changed.

THEORISTS Paul Gilroy