This video begins with a narrative tone. The opening and arguably establishing shot shows us footage of the slave trade, and how black people were punished for not working ‘hard enough’. The video then shows the slaves running away, and cuts to a medium shot of the artists. The song is based around people expressing their feelings towards such matters through the use of music. This is reflected as at 00.56 a sign with the words; “No Rapping” is shown. I believe that there is a clear target audience for this music video/product. The video is aimed at young people who are from areas of poverty, who perhaps have an interest within the genre of hip-hop.
There is focus point of the video, which is the police and authority. The video aims to show how people can rebel against authority or dictatorship. There is a link used between the opening scene of the slave trade and the police, which is horses. The slave masters used them in the opening scene and so do the police that are featured throughout the video. The horses represent the police with the negative connotations that the slave trade brings to the video. I believe the director of the video has chosen to use this, because in the 1980’s when this track was released, there was a lot of controversy surrounding the police.
The technical operations used vary throughout the video. For example, Panning shots are used when the prison cells are shown. A high angle shot is also used during the prison cell scene, in order to show the prisoner in a vulnerbale light. Extreme close ups are also used at various points throughout the video. One example of this shot is at 1.44. I believe that this shot has been used at this point to put an emphasis on the artists sunglasses. This in some ways in conforming to the forms and conventions of Hip-Hop music videos. Low angle shots are also used, usually when the police are in the frame. This gives an effect that shows the individual police officer in a powerful light. Examples of this shot can be seen at 1:03 – 1:05.
The tone of the video could be seen as humorous, during certain scenes. From1:53, the video appears to be mocking the government, as the ‘White House’ is changed to the ‘Black House’. The props and iconography in this scene are particularly humorous, such as the jewellery which looks very out place in such a building. There are many different editing techniques shown throughout the video. These include an eye-line matching shot. This is also used in the ‘Black House’ scene of the video, and allows a sense of continuity. The artist is looking at the press, and interviewers, before a cut and we are shown the subject at hand, as if we ourselves are the artist.
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