Hip Hop Video Analyization

3 Pages 831 Words

Since its’ inception, HipHop music videos have served as exclamation points for
the art form itself, adding life, and a visual construct to the already
emotionally powerful words. The beginning of this great relationship between the
music video and rap artist dates back to as early as the Sugar Hill Gang’s
Rapper’s Delight. The hit single which by no means was the first rap song ever
produced, was the first rap single to hit the top 40 charts and consequently its
wide release made HipHop instantly international. Its commercial success paved
the way for rap into the 80’s and some argue, gave rap an identity. It is
obvious that HipHop as an art form has changed immensely; however there are
certain attributes that have remained constant over the years. 1.) HipHop is a
counter-hegemonic tool that can be used and even exploited by those individuals,
in particular the youthful African American community and other disenfranchised
communities, who, with HipHop as its voice would have no voice at all. 2.)
Consists of more than just lyrics and beats but embodies an entire culture. And
3.) It is ours, it is amazing and it is here to stay.
Another thing that has not changed is the use of braggadocio and flaunting of
material wealth as a counter hegemonic tool. In essence claiming, “We got money
like you, we party like you can, we should now be considered as equals, if not
better than those who oppress us.”
In Rapper’s Delight its exclaimed:
“ya see i got more clothes than muhammad ali and i dress so viciously
i got bodyguards, i got two big cars
that definitely aint the wack
i got a lincoln continental and a sunroof Cadillac……
everybody go, hotel motel holiday inn
say if your girl starts actin up, then you take her friend”
Fast forward sixteen years to The Notorious B.I.G. a.k.a. Biggie’s hit single
One More Chance. Like Rappers Delight this song was a huge hit, arguably B.I.G’s
biggest. However...