Song ideas

Although I have not yet picked the song for my music video, I have a variety of choices. The songs I have chosen all relate strongly to the rap/grime genre of music I am aiming for. They each display the dark, angry and an almost sadness to the teenage issues faced daily. Moreover, I have seen the same image and atmosphere created in these music video's as the image I am going for. In order to be able to achieve this atmosphere, I need to have a wide understanding and knowledge of how it is created in other music videos of the same style/genre. By looking at each of these music videos, I am able to achieve that.


First song: Off the record 2 by Yungen. (I have provided the link to the music video below)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLU90Rdmgeo&list=RDHLU90Rdmgeo#t=139


This music video uses several similar elements that I intend to use in my own music video. For example, the shots used in the underground tunnel from a long distance away effectively give of a tone of emptiness and isolation. Similarly, the shots used in the train station portray how the male character (Yungen) may want to escape from his reality although he can never really leave, as we can see by him never actually getting onto a train. Not only are the shots similar to what I want to incorporate in my own music video, but the costume and cast used also relate to my ideas. For example, the hoodie is worn by Yungen with the hood up so we cannot see his face at the beginning of the music video. This may express him having issues with identity and not knowing who he is supposed to be or who he wants to be. Although this song strongly relates to the ideas I want to express, I feel like it is too slow for the dark, angry atmosphere I wish to perceive. However, observing and looking at the elements used have aided in influencing further developments of my own.


Second song: Letter to Krept by Cadet. (I have provided the link to the music video below)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssZ109BK3v4


This music video also uses various components that I wish to express in my music video. For example, the shots of natural elements that are used to separate the male character (Cadet) from his own thoughts reflect in what I want to portray. For instance, the shot of the sea on the beach and the sunlight shining through the tree's in the woods. These shots effectively deepen the meaning of the song and gives the viewer an in insight into what Cadet may be thinking about. Similarly to the first song, the cast and costume relate to what I aim to use in my own music video. For example, the fact that Cadet is obviously a black male character, as I wanted to use a mixed race cast for my own characters. Moreover, the jewellery and hat he is wearing are all things I have thought about when choosing costumes for my cast. However, I will not be using this song as similarly to the first song, it is far too slow paced for the atmosphere I wish to go for. I would like a mix of a slow and faster-paced beat in order to mix these two atmospheres together.

Third song: Antwi by Wretch 32. (I have provided the link to the music video below)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDhyOtsCMGk

This music video depicts some of the main elements I aim to include in my own production. For example, the close up shots of the male character (Wretch 32) rapping the lyrics to the song are similar to my own ideas for how to get the full impact of the song across to the audience. I like the way that he is surrounded by darkness and all the viewer can focus on is the emotion he is portraying from his face and what the lyrics are saying. However, this is mainly what the music video consists of rather than the setting changing throughout to make it more diverse. I will aim to avoid this in my music video as I feel like a couple shifts in setting will deepen the effect and impact of the message attempting to be put across. I believe this will engage the viewer much more than just someone rapping/singing to a camera. However the director may have chosen to do this because it is quite a slow song, with the only diversity being when the beat drops and the lights in the music video turn to red. As I have said above, I wish for my song choice to be much faster than this example, therefore I will not be using this song.

In conclusion, although I am not choosing any of these songs, it has been very helpful to look at other options I may choose for my production as it gains a fuller understanding and knowledge of the style of music video that I am planning to make. Moreover, I can look into what components usually take place in a rap/grime genre music video and incorporate it into my own.