Ill Manors broadcast: music video analysis

Ill Manors broadcast: music video analysis

Media Forms

The conventions included in Plan B's music video all include the ones that we would naturally associate with an average music video. These include things like fast pace editing and beat matching, which create audience interest. This allows the fast pace editing to create tension and to move on the storyline they are trying to create. Music video uses fast-paced cuts to match the rhythm of the song which is very electric and upbeat. The cuts are edited quickly to reinforce the rhythm of the song; also, footage from the London riots which took place in 2011 is used. This creates a montage and like other music videos this promotes a message about how the working class are not seen as significant is society and ultimately they resort to violence. To add, there was a lot of close-ups of Plan B, a typical music video will address the audience with close-ups of the attests. The close up of Plan B's face also allows him to lip sync his lyrics which is typical of a music video this is to create stability and realism. Typically, hip-hop music videos promote the ideal lifestyle through the use of flashy cars, women and alcohol but because this is a protest song it focuses on how the working class are portrayed not so much the lifestyle they want to carry out. 

The setting of it is in a run-down area of London. It also depicts some real life scene from the London riots which was in the same area. In addition, music videos are set in unusual locations, such as rooftops, fields etc. So, in the music video Plan B is smoking on top of a rooftop, and he may have used this idea to convey to the audience the rebellious society they live in. The narrative becomes clearer as the music video progresses, showing youths behaving disorderly, and their confrontations between the police during and after the riots, having been provoked by the government and being isolated from society. The non-diegetic music and rapping from Plan B promotes a satirical message about the representation of working class and underclass youths in the media.

If we were look to look at Andy Medhurst's Theory of stereotyping on the short hand we could apply this here as we see all of the negative stereotypes of council estates and the people that live there in a short space of time as it is in a music video which is significant,Examples of the stereotypes include Plan B saying "Urban Safari", Safaris are often used to connote wildlife in jungles or deserts so to compare the people living in this part of London to that makes them seen like they're animals just to be looked at. Plan B's use of direct mode of address is prevalent when the lyrics pinpoint the fact that government fail to create opportunities for these youths, before blaming the youths themselves, a recurring idea throughout the song

Media Representation

In this music video we see scenes from the real London riots and staged ones but also it  gives a dominant representation of the London rioters with the few alternative views concerning police violence.The use of establishing shots in the beginning of the music video (to show London "burning") makes you see the full scale of violence that was caused.The music video therefore shows a negative representation of London as it is not what the rest of the world and un-informed domestic audiences see London as, they see it as a place of wealth and tourism and are unaware that it is surrounded by these council estates which are all assumed to be bad because of shorthand stereotypes linked to Medhursts theory and as a result, of the video glamorizing violence, it's expected that society makes changes before the working oppose a bigger threat to society. 

However, footage of the Police becoming violent portrays an alternative representation of the police force as we would normally see them as doing right by the law. On the other hand, the weaponry that the police had against the rioters were patronising the rioters. This is because the riot squad had full armour, a shield and a baton. This represents that the police units against the rioters were further powerful in a way which devalues the strength of the rioters. This portrayal supports Perkins idea that some stereotypes are of those in power, as the police are considered to be in power, but the stereotype is that they are corrupt.

The media in general present the rioters as negative and, as a result, their image of being corrupt is reinforced through the music video especially when it shows people fighting each other and Plan B is in front of them still rapping. It also shows how there are no role models in society as the youth are easily influenced. The people themselves who are taking part in the riots are seen to be young and represented as being working class due to the hooded clothes that are being worn. The rioters are seen to be harmful and endangering those who are around them. Although, the music video represents youth/rioters as hoodlums and hooligans, alternatively, it has been done this way satirically in order to expose how the media's portrayal of underprivileged underclass youth has led to moral panic. The reason why an insider audience (from London) may see the youth as chavs or hooligans and just people on "council estates" is because these representations are formed from the ideologies that have been passed down form the opinion leaders which are usually the government and higher class white people. This links to Levi Strauss's theory on representation and ideology. Strauss also wrote about the producer of the text holding the set of values and beliefs but this doesn't link well with what Plan B may have been trying to communicate 

Media Audiences

 The main pleasure is shown as entertainment for the audience with the use of the music, and visual graphics keeps the audience entertained throughout the video. In addition, one key theme in this video, is violence which is another factor in keeping the audience entertained. The use of the narrative could be a way for the audience to just entertain themselves and those who are admirers of Plan B and his music would also be watching the music video to view him. The video itself was released to create awareness about the kids that live around council estates and how they aren't as they seem to be portrayed to the rest of British society. There's a sense of the youth wanting freedom. The 'Uses and Gratifications Theory' would be prominent here as the audience are active.This music video would mainly appeal to the younger generation as they would be able to relate to the things going on in the music video more and would be entertained in scenes where there's violence, such as the police getting attacked. However, the older generation would be completely against with the things that went on in the music video. 

The music video is a protest video, which has been used to create awareness and educates people about council estate youths and the government, and how these individuals act this way because of the government, yet are criticised by the government. The audience is educated with the knowledge about what is happening during the London riots and who is being victimised. It could cause the audience to be more rebellious and question what they believe and what is being portrayed in the media. Some members of the audience may seem themselves being represented in the music video as they could be from a low income family or see themselves as being part of a group of gang. A minority of that took part in the London riots may see themselves as being represented in the video which is one of the reason which they wish to view the video and is a source of pleasure for them.

Media Institution

The cross-promotional music video creates synergy due  to the fact that it features characters from the film 'ill manors' by Plan B, promoting the film. However, the song also features in the film, and trailer, thereby creating synergy simultaneously. The video helps promote the film through the same name. Likewise, the shorthand for identification (Medhurst) accentuates the scenes that may occur in the film. This promotes the film as for the people who have been through the riots would want to see how they have been represented as, and whether their stereotype is being subverted or reinforced. 

The music video also helps promote the film as it stars the director of the film and rapper of the music video Plan B himself. This will make him more noticeable to the audience and as a result they are more likely to see the link between the film and the music video as they both promote eachother. The Plan B fanbase will also be more inclined to watch the film if they see him in a music video likewise if they see the film they are more inclined to watch the music video. It is unconventional, but is also clever of Plan B to use what he knows in the field of music and create a music video for the individual song, in order to promote his film. The characters create a clear link in the audience's mind that the film and music video are linked. 

Ill Manors soundtrack research task

Record companies & institutions: 

Released by Atlantic Records:

Parent company is Warner Music Group 

Distributor is Atlantic Records Group

Sales and Downloads:

The album sold at £3.99 and 38000 copies in just the first week alone these shows how successful the music video and album was. It was made free to download on the pre-order of the deluxe edition of the album. According to the Official Charts Company Ill manors artist album has been placed on the top with the other artist such as Jennifer Lopez.

Recording sessions for the album took place at The Sanctuary in London and Edge Recording Studio. On 8 February 2012, it was announced the album would be released on 7 May via Atlantic Records. Shortly after, the album's lead single, iLL Manors, premiered. 

Music/Fan reviews:

Plan B received good reviews from music critics, having a review of 83/100 from Metacrtic. Critics stated that Ben Drew (Plan B) was one of the boldest and lyrically ambitious pop star in Britain. The Telegraph stated the soundtrack on a production level is "cutting edge" and on a lyrical level the lyrics are "brutally brilliant" and how it will melt your ears and your heart, this makes sense as because a lot of the lyrics are strong challenging dominant stereotypes and what the media say about young kids who live in estates. The film was also very successful due to the downloads that it has received and also all the copies that have been sold. On YouTube the music video received over 7 million views and only 1,700 dislikes. The comments that were posted on were also very supporting of Plan B himself and this highlights the success it has had and how this also promotes the film.