R'n'B Analysis

1. ANALYSIS OF R’N’B
GENRE
Genre

2. DEFINITION
A style of music developed by African Americans that combines blues and
jazz, characterized by a strong backbeat and repeated variations on
syncopated instrumental phrases.
(http://www.thefreedictionary.com/R'n'B+music)

3. R’n’B
Typical content includes:
-Sex
-Drugs
-Gangs
-Gang attitudes
-Rage against authority
R’n’B music is typically associated with black origin, and
this is noted with the MOBO’s (music of black origin
awards) which is the notable award ceremony for R’n’B
music
Clothing:
-Females wear very revealing clothing to emphasise their status as
sex symbols.
-Men typically wear baggy clothing such as denim jeans and big
oversized hoodies.
-Lots of bling is worn by both the males and females- medallions,
rings- as a status of wealth and the idea they started no where and
now they’re here.
Props:
-Quite violent props used such as drugs, guns etc.- very
explicit
-Expensive and flashy props; focused a lot on money.
Mise-en- Scene:
The typical mise-en-scene and locations
include;
-Clubs/bars
-Street locations
-Exotic locations to emphasises the ‘stardom’
the artist now has.
Group vs Solo:
Groups in R’n’B genre have
choreographed dances with
synchronised movements
contrasting with solo artists who
are part of the narrative story.

4. BEYONCE- SINGLE LADIES
4
The whole structure of the music video is focused upon Beyonce and her 2 female
who perform the dance routine with her. Having a dance routine within the music vid
typical feature for an R’n”B music video and even though there are quite clearly 3 fe
it is made evident that Beyonce is the main and most important female in many diffe
ways. For example, the composition of the shots always
has Beyonce in the middle of the shots highlighting that
she is the main focus for the music video and as an
artist compared to the other females also in the video.
Furthermore, Beyonce also has a gold mechanical
glove on her hand which further heightens the fact that
she is the main female within the music video.The emphasises on Beyonce as the main artist and the main focus is also shown at th
end of the video which ends on a close up of her face smiling. Ending the music video
a close up of Beyonce shows how she is the main focus for the music video because
ends with her, and therefore will leave a lasting impression on the audience. The
representation in this video is meant to focus on the independence on females, which
highlighted through the excessive use of long shots which reveal the 3 female dancer
dancing independently and only as females not with any males. The colour of the mus
video is black and white, and this is a stereotype of the R’n”B genre because it sugge
the ‘grunge’ and ‘Rhythm and Blues” feel of the video. Close ups are only used on Be

5. BEYONCE- SINGLE LADIES
5
The audience for this video is primarily teenage girls with the
message behind the video that every girl should be independent and
the video itself focussing on the independence of a women. On the
other hand, it isn't only females who will be attracted to this video
because of the clothing used. Males will also be attracted to this
video because of the revealing clothing that has been used throughout
by all 3 of the females. Revealing clothing is something which R’n”B is
well known for, as the females in this genre have the ‘sex symbol’ status.
The video focus is on the females bodies and as there is a lot of skin on
show it highlights the exploitation of the females for music videos and how females are seen to be ‘objects’ for the audie
There are many different conventions which show how the video belongs to the
genre, with the dominant one being the simplistic set the whole way through, alo
simplistic make up and clothing. This is in contrast to something which we would
seen if it was a rock video where location would be more emphasised.

6. JAY Z FT ALICIA KEYS- EMPIRE
STATE OF MIND
6
The video starts with lots of master shots edited together showing
different
iconic places in New York such as the skyscrapers, the road signs
etc. This is
done to make a direct link to the lyrics which lists different places in
New York. The song is all focused upon New York and this is
reflected within the locations that are used with the setting being at
different locations of New York and the lyrics stating these places too.
This follows the idea of elaborate locations are used to emphasises
the money that the artists now have- come from nothing to be here.
We can see Alicia Keys positioned in the middle of Times Square
playing the piano which shows that there would have been a big
budget for the video to film it in New York. The majority of the music
video is filmed in black and white; a typical convention to the R’n’B
genre.
The use of New York as the location and lyric focus is quite interesting because New York is known for being very expe
of different ‘A list celebrities’ which is very symbolic of the money which is symbolised in the R’n’B genre.
Long shots are used along with close ups to show the artist and highlight that they are
the artists as there are different people within the music video as just passes- the
close ups really signify that they are the artists and the main focus within the video.
The clothing worn by both of them is very stereotypical to the genre with Jay Z
wearing baggy clothing and baggy jumpers and Alicia wearing leather. Both of the
artists are wearing sunglasses and all of these clothing and
items are very typical of the R’n”B genre and what is included within it. They signify

7. RHIANNA FT JAY Z-
UMBRELLA
7
The opening close up shot of Rhianna highlights the sexual element of the R’n’B gen
the camera shot focusing on her body, in particular her legs, booms and arms; the ty
sexual features of a female body. This shot also shows the dominance of the femal
the music video showing that she is the predominant person in the video. The lightin
a mysterious vibe to the video as the smoke and high key lighting creates a mysterio
atmosphere.
The costume in the video also highlights the R’n’B
genre conventions with Rhianna wearing revealing
clothing and Jay Z wearing trainers and baggy
clothing which is the typical conventions of a R’n”B
music video in relation to the costumes.
A lot of close up shots are used within the video
primarily focusing on Rhianna as she is the main
feature of the music video. The shots used highlight the ‘sex symbol’ status that Rhi
known for having. The lighting in the video initially starts out as quite low key and da
symbolising mysterious and quite a ‘dark’ atmosphere which is typical of the R’n”B g
because it is all about the mysterious elements of the music.