To what extent do music videos sexualise women, with particular reference to ‘Anaconda’ by Nicki  Minaj?

 This investigation will focus if the media has increased in the sexualisation of women in music videos and how this might have an effect on the audience. A hypothesis on this topic would be that although the introduction of feminism and their power, music videos do sexualise women in their videos more than ever.

quotes that will be used:

From Emma Watzon lecture on feminism

We should stop defining each other by what we are not and start defining ourselves by who we are."

"I want men to take up this mantle so their daughters, sisters and mothers can be free from prejudice but also so their sons have permission to be vulnerable and human."

'For years young women have been telling us that they are not happy with the representation of women in popular culture, including music videos."

 " Nicki Minaj's hit Anaconda features dozens of women gyrating their exposed flesh to the lyric My anaconda don't want none unless you got buns hun, classy isn't it?" He also adds "I am sick of trying to teach my daughters how much they have to offer the world, only to have everything I say undermined by the sleazy, unhealthy messages that someone with no respect for womanhood promotes to the mass market to make some more money."

-I will start with a little introduction to music videos which sexualise females, I will also give some examples apart from Nicki Minaj.

-This first paragraph will mention how Emma Watzon says about feminism and how she feels about the changes that have occurred.

-It will also link back to my main question about Nicki Minaj by mentioning what a father says about how Nicki Minaj influences young people.

-I will then go and analyse some Nicki Minaj videos, I will start from Super Bass.

Influences

 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/brendanoneill2/100245877/the-feminist-war-on-sexist-pop-videos-is-fuelled-by-ugly-misanthropic-prejudices-of-its-own/- references to this 

The idea that pop videos have a massive influence on people’s thoughts and prejudices is underwritten by the most discredited theory of the modern cultural era – the theory of “media effects”. This is the notion that we are what we see, that a violent film can make us violent, a racist newspaper can make us racist, and a sexist pop video can make us hate women. Media effects theory has existed for as long as mass culture has. In the 1950s, concerned commentators railed against comics, through which, in the words of one comic-basher, children “absorb… beatings, shootings, stranglings, and other acts of violence”, potentially making them violent too. In the 1980s it was the “video nasty” – the ready availability of horror films from one’s local video store – which got moralists in a tizz, with some even claiming these movies posed a “threat to the social order”. And now it’s the turn of raunchy pop videos, which stand accused of spreading prejudice and even creating a “conducive context for violence against women” – that is, threatening the social order.

Things to mention:

reinforcement to stereotypes

male gaze

Primary audiences of Nicki Minaj

Historical context

Quotes that will be used:

the controlling male gaze’ (ibid., 33), presenting ‘woman as image’ (or ‘spectacle’) and man as ‘bearer of the look’ (ibid., 27). Men do the looking; women are there to be looked at. The cinematic codes of popular films ‘are obsessively subordinated to the neurotic needs of the male ego’ (ibid., 33). It was Mulvey who coined the term 'the male gaze'."

References to the study in the guardian on the differences in actors and actresses wealth.

How is it similar/different to your main text?

. In comparison to Nicki Minaj, she doesn't present herself in half way naked manner in her videos. She seems covered. Also, in Nicki Minajs videos there is always men surrounding her and dancing along with her

how society and the issue you are investigating has changed over the years and how these changes are reflected in different media texts?

 In the society that we live in today, female singers or rappers who want to gain fame and wealth feel the need to show off their bodies and their dancing skills. In a newspaper, there was shown the ratio to how many females are in Hollywood films compared to women, the ratio was 5:1. Also, it was shown that the percentage to how many females get naked for the camera compared to males is much higher.

how popular culture reflects the 'spirit of the age' or zeitgeist

 The zeitgeist of that era shows that female were not necessarily seen as sex objects like today. Regardless to how they   presented themselves they were still able to gain wealth and fame. The culture that still existed during Dianna Ross's time was much different than the culture that is reflected by society today.

How does this show how the genre/society/issue has changed?

Many sociologists claim that females feel the need to make themselves for more attractive for the camera. The differences in the content  of the music videos show how as time goes by, females begin to respect themselves less and  less everyday. They feel like the only way for them to be famous and recognised is by impressing men, this is known as the male gaze. This refers to how everything on television and music videos is most likely to be there to impress males (MULVEY) "Such films objectify women in relation to ‘the controlling male gaze’ (ibid., 33), presenting ‘woman as image’ (or ‘spectacle’) and man as ‘bearer of the look’ (ibid., 27). Men do the looking; women are there to be looked at. The cinematic codes of popular films ‘are obsessively subordinated to the neurotic needs of the male ego’ (ibid., 33). It was Mulvey who coined the term 'the male gaze'."

Primary text

Firstly, textual analysis 

Secondly, debates and theories

Intro- Nicki Minaj is a very dominant artist, who represents power and female leadership in many of her music videos. For the example the song Super Bass is very well presented, when it comes to visual aspects and creativity of both the narrative and illustration of the music video. The lyrics of the song talks about super bass. Meaning the amplification of a sound being exported out to create an enormous effect in sound and appearance. This is shown, as there are big bass speakers behind her singing, which is known as an illustrative performance narrative, by including elements of the lyrics in the performance. She’s talking about guys in the video and everything she makes reference to about a guy in the video is shown, for example in the lyrics it states gripping a tie and twisting it up, whilst Nicki Minaj did exactly that to a guy.

Gender and ethnicity

This is a very hard genre that recognises females. This genre is usually for male rappers but Nicki Minaj was able to show an alternative to this by being one of the most successful female rappers.

Audience Theories

The users and gratification includes an audience that seeks entertainment and escapism; this is because they want to be amused and watch something interesting as well as watch something that includes things or a lifestyle they desire. Many people wish to be rich and recognised like Nicki Minaj is.

Marxist and Hegemony

One could argue that in her music videos, Nicki Minaj presents an alternative lifestyle and by ding this she changes the cultural norms. After doing some research on different cultures, I found out that there is no culture that accepts Nicki Minaj lifestyle.

Genre theories

A musical genre is ‘a set of musical events (real or possible) whose course is governed by a definite set of socially accepted rules’.The notion of set, both for a genre and for its defining apparatus, means that we can speak of sub-sets like ‘sub-genres’, and of all the operations foreseen by the theory of sets.

Post-modernism

The term post-modernism has been applied to a host of movements, many in art, music, and literature, that reacted against tendencies in modernism. Post modernism theories claim that we have left the period of modernism and reject the age on enlightenment.

Theories that will be used: Katz and Blumber, audiences theory, hegemony and genre theoreis

Next Paragraph- black women

http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/162/sexism-racism-endemic-in-music-videos-new-briefing

References to this article

Black women are commonly portrayed as hypersexual and with a focus and fascinated gaze on their bottoms, invoking ideas of black women as wild and animalistic. The music industry seems to find it profitable to promote both female and male blackartists in a highly sexualised way, whatever their genre of music – racialized tropes are deemed marketable.They are more likely to endorse the ‘sexual double standard’ which sees men who have many sexual partners as admirable and women who do so as ‘sluts’. In one study, viewers who watched sexualised videos and who were then asked to comment on an ‘acquaintance rape’ scenario were more likely to make excuses for the perpetrator.

Conclusion:

"Watching televised gender portrayals has an effect on individuals' real-world gender-based attitudes, beliefs and behaviours" P1 http://syndicatemizzou.org/resources/behm-morawitz/Mean_Girls.pdf

- The future of feminism

Re mention the male gaze theory

After watching couple of Diana Ross's music videos, I learned a lot about how society has changed. In her videos it is very evident that she doesn't do what females in the music industries do today. She shows some self-respect in her videos

• How is it similar/different to your main text?

. In comparison to Nicki Minaj, she doesn't present herself in half way naked manner in her videos. She seems covered. Also, in Nicki Minajs videos there is always men surrounding her and dancing along with her. In Dianna Ross's video, she is most likely to have someone who she is singing about in her videos rather than random men who just perform around her for no reason. Although she doesn't do the same things that Nicki Minaj does in her videos, and has more of classical music videos, Dianna Ross was a very famous singer who made a lot of money in the music industry. Till this day, her music is still known and listened to. Her music is definitely different from Nicki Minajs music as she most likely sang about love rather than being dominant or females body parts like Nicki Minaj.  

how society and the issue you are investigating has changed over the years and how these changes are reflected in different media texts?

 In the society that we live in today, female singers or rappers who want to gain fame and wealth feel the need to show off their bodies and their dancing skills. In a newspaper, there was shown the ratio to how many females are in Hollywood films compared to women, the ratio was 5:1. Also, it was shown that the percentage to how many females get naked for the camera compared to males is much higher. 

• how popular culture reflects the 'spirit of the age' or zeitgeist

 The zeitgeist of that era shows that female were not necessarily seen as sex objects like today. Regardless to how they   presented themselves they were still able to gain wealth and fame. The culture that still existed during Dianna Ross's time was much different than the culture that is reflected by society today. Although females in the music industries were less than today, and although females had much less rights than they have today. females were not seen as toys, as something that males have there to just use. One could argue that although females are gaining more rights, they are losing more respect for themselves and that is shown harshly in the music industry. 

• How does this show how the genre/society/issue has changed?

Many sociologists claim that females feel the need to make themselves for more attractive for the camera. The differences in the content  of the music videos show how as time goes by, females begin to respect themselves less and  less everyday. They feel like the only way for them to be famous and recognised is by impressing men, this is known as the male gaze. This refers to how everything on television and music videos is most likely to be there to impress males (MULVEY) "Such films objectify women in relation to ‘the controlling male gaze’ (ibid., 33), presenting ‘woman as image’ (or ‘spectacle’) and man as ‘bearer of the look’ (ibid., 27). Men do the looking; women are there to be looked at. The cinematic codes of popular films ‘are obsessively subordinated to the neurotic needs of the male ego’ (ibid., 33). It was Mulvey who coined the term 'the male gaze'."

Internet links:

http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/162/sexism-racism-endemic-in-music-videos-new-briefing

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/sexualised-music-videos-only-teach-women-how-to-sell-out/story-fni0cwl5-1227070613498

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/brendanoneill2/100245877/the-feminist-war-on-sexist-pop-videos-is-fuelled-by-ugly-misanthropic-prejudices-of-its-own/

http://likes.com/music/20-most-antifeminist-music-videos-of-all-time

Gender, race and class in media by Gail Dines

Featuring Females by Ellen Cole

Rebel for the Hell of it: Life of Tupac Shakur by Armond White

http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/162/sexism-racism-endemic-in-music-videos-new-briefing

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/sexualised-music-videos-only-teach-women-how-to-sell-out/story-fni0cwl5-1227070613498

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/brendanoneill2/100245877/the-feminist-war-on-sexist-pop-videos-is-fuelled-by-ugly-misanthropic-prejudices-of-its-own/

http://likes.com/music/20-most-antifeminist-music-videos-of-all-time

Books

Dines, G. (1995). Gender, race, and class in media: A text-reader. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage.

Cole, E. (2005). Featuring females: Feminist analyses of media. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

 White, A. (2002). Rebel for the hell of it: The life of Tupac Shakur (New ed.). New York: Thunder's Mouth Press.

Wollstonecraft, M., & Poston, C. (1988). A vindication of the rights of woman: An authoritative text, backgrounds, the Wollstonecraft debate, criticism (2nd ed.). New York: Norton.

Vernallis, C. (2004). Experiencing music video aesthetics and cultural context. New York: Columbia University Press.

 Cochrane, K. (2012). Women of the revolution: Forty years of feminism. London, Great Britain: Guardian Books.
  Webb, R. (2009). A2 sociology: The complete course for the AQA specification. Brentwood: Napier.

Nicki Minaj is a very dominant artist, who represents power and female leadership in many of her music videos. For the example the song Super Bass is very well presented, when it comes to visual aspects and creativity of both the narrative and illustration of the music video. The lyrics of the song talks about super bass. Meaning the amplification of a sound being exported out to create an enormous effect in sound and appearance. This is shown, as there are big bass speakers behind her singing, which is known as an illustrative performance narrative, by including elements of the lyrics in the performance. She’s talking about guys in the video and every thing she makes reference to about a guy in the video is shown, for example in the lyrics it states gripping a tie and twisting it up, whilst Nicki Minaj did exactly that to a guy. She also mentions kissing a guy on the lips and the video shows a guys lips and also she makes reference to a guy flying and the video switches to a small mini pink Airplane. The airplane connotes freedom as it flies in the sky, just like a bird, which has a similarity in as the bases. As they employ music in which is free to release the sound in any many in which it requires. As for the colour pink is another symbolic essence of the music video. The colour pink connotes many inspirational things, for example it can symbolize calmness, relaxation, acceptance and contentment but also the key feature of the colour pink is the combination of two vibrant distinctive colours, red and white.

The dilemma of the video is based on sexual elements of females and guys. In term o f location, the background in the video is pink which has a relation to the choice of song and the costume and props used, for example the swimming pool, the water is pink as well as the stones. This is a feature of maintaining a generic house style throughout the production.

In terms of mise-en-scene by using costumes, all the dancers wore pink hair extensions as so did the main performer. As well as keeping an edgy modern approach in costume the girls wore jean shorts and white tank vest tops which show freedom in leaving most of your body parts out. Also they ore Doc Martins shoes, this shows freedom in presenting another nature of identity and not being afraid to show it.

In terms of camera work, the open scene of the video begins with a close-up of Minaj as she opens her eyes and begins to blinks. As the artist begins to rap verses of the song, the director included an aspect of mise-en-scene of prop of a Barbie approved props; a pink Ferrari, pink plane and a pink pool and a pink drink pouring out of a glass, are shown contemplating the narrative of the music video. another aspect of the camera work, are extreme close-ups of a male model, showing his lips and stomach. This is a important element in the music video, as it captures the male models as the artists acquaintances. Also an long shot that demonstrates the performance of the music video, this is good because it helps show the female models and the main artist in a longer shot than a close-up or a middle shot.

There are a lot of references to voyeurism, as the female body is presented as a main sexual feature of the video. Also there are some females in swimming costumes whilst giving the boys a lap-dance. As for the main performer, the artist, she establishes this feature by wearing and green and pink leopard a swimming costume that enhances her figure. Apart from voyeurism the music video also incorporates explicit elements of male models that are exposing their bodies. This demonstrates the key idea of the music video, in exploring the freedom in having half-naked male and female models. This is crucial feature to the media production industry, because they have incorporated, in a satisfactory manner, the main aspect of ‘sex sells’.

Anaconda is a song by America recording artist Nicki Minaj from her upcoming third studio album, the Pink print. Production for the track was handled by Polow Da Don and Da Internz.  Anaconda peaked at N.2 on the Us Billboard Hot 100 becoming Nicki highest charting single in the United States to date.  A music video for the track was shot in Los Angeles, California by Colin Tilley and was released on August 19, 2014. The video features a cameo appearance by fellow rapper and label mate Drake. The video broke the 24 hour streaming record on VEVO by accumulating 19.6 million views in its first day of release, beating the 19.3 million 24 hour record previously held by Miley Cyrus for the music video of her song,  Wrecking Ball in 2013. 11 days after the release of the music video Anaconda was Vevo certified for receiving over 100 million views?  

The mise en scene follows the conventions of rap music with female dancers in very little clothing doing very sexual dance moves. The video is set in a tropical rainforest where Nicki is with her heard or followers which are her dancers. There is soft high key lightening which makes the setting look even more glamorous than it already is. There are constant costume changes as the video progresses. The shots being used in the video are Medium shots, Close of Nicki Minaj rapping, longshots to show the costumes they are wearing, High angels to show off the choreography, Nicki Minaj is always in the center of the frame as she is the main focus of the video.  The editing is mostly cutting from scenes to scene. There is use of slow motion when Minaj is twerking. A series of photo montages of fruit throughout the video. 

Media Effects

The copycat theory a way that younger generation would be influenced from idols on tv.  Girls would idolise her as she presents herself as the ‘Female Boss’ who is able to do many things that include dancing. The way she talks and dances and has dominance over people has gotten a lot of girls to be influenced by her and start listening to her music.

Moral panic

There is some sort of moral panic that has was raised from Nicki Minaj's videos. This is because she is changing many young girls by showing them her lifestyle. She tries to justify sex and not 'love em or cuff em.' This refers to not have any emotional attachment after engaging sexual. This causes young girls to be justified and to think that engaging with sexual intercourse without 'love em or cuff em.' Many parents have raised awareness. There was also an article on the guardian about how she is teaching young girls an alternative lifestyle.

Gender and ethnicity

This is a very hard genre that recognises females. This genre is usually for male rappers but Nicki Minaj was able to show an alternative to this by being one of the most successful female rappers. She is able to rap as well show some sense of dominance in her videos which make her have more power over the men in her videos. She does show some sort of gender possession in her videos as she shows that she is dominant over the males in the videos such as 'super bass' where she pulls one the performers ties in a manner that shows dominance and power over him in her music video.

Audience Theories

The users and gratification includes an audience that seeks entertainment and escapism; this is because they want to be amused and watch something interesting as well as watch something that includes things or a lifestyle they desire. Many people wish to be rich and recognised like Nicki Minaj is.  It is everyone’s wish to be in fancy cars, to have men running after them and to be making big sums of money. Not many people are in a position in which they could live the fancy lifestyle so the audience are most likely to feel some sense of escapism from reality by watching her videos. Also, in today's society not many females are seen as dominant over males like she is in her music videos. This could reassure her audience as she shows an alternative lifestyle in her music videos.

Marxist and Hegemony

One could argue that in her music videos, Nicki Minaj presents an alternative lifestyle and by ding this she changes the cultural norms. After doing some research on different cultures, I found out that there is no culture that accepts Nicki Minaj lifestyle. Religions, in the other hand, don't accept this. Nicki Minaj was able to introduce different norms for young girls as she is seen as role model from young girls. Nicki Minaj does challenge religion, cultures and popular norms by offering an alternative lifestyle. In most cultures, women shouldn't be too outgoing and in most cultures women do not posses the dominance over males. By showing dominance over males and by showing confidence in showing her body she challenges most of religions and cultures and causes moral panic.

Internet links

http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/162/sexism-racism-endemic-in-music-videos-new-briefing

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/sexualised-music-videos-only-teach-women-how-to-sell-out/story-fni0cwl5-1227070613498

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/brendanoneill2/100245877/the-feminist-war-on-sexist-pop-videos-is-fuelled-by-ugly-misanthropic-prejudices-of-its-own/

http://likes.com/music/20-most-antifeminist-music-videos-of-all-time

Minaj briefly signed with Brooklyn group Full Force, in which she rapped in a quartet called The Hoodstars composed of Lou$tar (son of "Bowlegged Lou"), Scaff Beezy and 7even Up.[23][24] In 2004 the group recorded the entrance song for WWE Diva Victoria, "Don't Mess With", which was featured on the compilation album ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol.6. Minaj left Full Force, dissatisfied with their lack of success,[citation needed] uploaded songs on her Myspace profile and sent several of her songs to people in the music industry; at the time, she was managed by Debra Antney. Fendi, CEO of Brooklyn label Dirty Money Entertainment (who also discovered rapper Gravy), signed Minaj to his label. Originally adopting the stage name "Nicki Maraj", she changed it to Nicki Minaj: "My real name is Maraj. Fendi flipped it when he met me because I had such a nasty flow! I eat bitches!"[25] On Fendi's label Minaj appeared on the street DVD, The Come Up Volume 11, featuring underground rappers from New York.[citation needed]

Minaj released her first mixtape, Playtime is Over, on Dirty Money Records on July 5, 2007[26] and her second, Sucka Free, on April 12, 2008.[27] That year, she was named Female Artist of the Year at the 2008 Underground Music Awards.[28] In 2009 Minaj was involved in a conflict with ego trip's Miss Rap Supreme winner Rece Steele, who was annoyed when Minaj interrupted her interview and put a sign behind Steele's head;[29] Minaj hung up on interviewers from Spate magazine when they asked about the incident.[30] She released her third mixtape,Beam Me Up Scotty, on April 18, 2009[31] and it received favorable coverage on BET and MTV.[32][33] One of its tracks, "I Get Crazy", reached number 20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart and number 37 on the magazine's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[34]

After Minaj was discovered by fellow rapper Lil Wayne,[35] in August 2009 it was reported that she signed a recording contract with his Young Money Entertainment.[36] That November, she appeared with Gucci Mane and Trina on the remix of "5 Star Bitch" by Yo Gotti.[37] Minaj also appeared on "BedRock" and "Roger That"[38] on the compilation album,We Are Young Money (2009).[39] The singles peaked at numbers 2 and 56, respectively, on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100;[40] their parent album reached number nine on the U.S.Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[40][41] Minaj was featured on Mariah Carey's "Up Out My Face", which reached number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100.[42] At Jay-Z's suggestion, that February Robin Thicke featured Minaj on "Shakin' It 4 Daddy" and included her in several live performances (including The Late Show With David Letterman).[43]

Internet links

http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/162/sexism-racism-endemic-in-music-videos-new-briefing Women consistently portrayed as sex objects.Music videos consistently portray very traditional gender roles with men as the‘characters’ with power and dominance, and women as passive recipients of their ‘gaze’. Frame by frame there is a much greater focus by the camera on women’s body parts, especially those associated with sex, and many of the film conventions of pornography are used. Young women campaigning for change in the music industry highlight that sexism and racism are a  problem across all genres of music video, including dance, metal and pop, not only those associated with black artists.

 Black women are commonly portrayed as hypersexual and with a focus and fascinated gaze on their bottoms, invoking ideas of black women as wild and animalistic. The music industry seems to find it profitable to promote both female and male black artists in a highly sexualised way, whatever their genre of music – racialized tropes are deemed marketable.They are more likely to endorse the ‘sexual double standard’ which sees men who have many sexual partners as admirable and women who do so as ‘sluts’. In one study, viewers who watched sexualised videos and who were then asked to comment on an ‘acquaintance rape’ scenario were more likely to make excuses for the perpetrator - See more at: http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/162/sexism-racism-endemic-in-music-videos-new-briefing#sthash.b6zreBOJ.dpuf

 http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/sexualised-music-videos-only-teach-women-how-to-sell-out/story-fni0cwl5-1227070613498

These female artists are selling the message that women are nothing more than accessories. Women are only of value as sexual objects. My daughters and your daughters are taught to conform to this narrow sexualised, unhealthy norm. The message is incessant. Our boys grow up believing girls are really only here to be a boy’s “new thang”. Girls accept that if they’re to be valuable to someone, they’d better be “sexy”.These messages are harmful. In 2007 the American Psychological Society issued a report on the sexualisation of girls. They found “virtually every media form studied provided ample evidence of the sexualisation of women”.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/brendanoneill2/100245877/the-feminist-war-on-sexist-pop-videos-is-fuelled-by-ugly-misanthropic-prejudices-of-its-own/

The idea that pop videos have a massive influence on people’s thoughts and prejudices is underwritten by the most discredited theory of the modern cultural era – the theory of “media effects”. This is the notion that we are what we see, that a violent film can make us violent, a racist newspaper can make us racist, and a sexist pop video can make us hate women. Media effects theory has existed for as long as mass culture has. In the 1950s, concerned commentators railed against comics, through which, in the words of one comic-basher, children “absorb… beatings, shootings, stranglings, and other acts of violence”, potentially making them violent too. In the 1980s it was the “video nasty” – the ready availability of horror films from one’s local video store – which got moralists in a tizz, with some even claiming these movies posed a “threat to the social order”. And now it’s the turn of raunchy pop videos, which stand accused of spreading prejudice and even creating a “conducive context for violence against women” – that is, threatening the social order.

 http://likes.com/music/20-most-antifeminist-music-videos-of-all-time

This focuses on the most anti-feminist video of all times. This was given to tip drill by Nelly. This is literally one of the most offensive videos to women around. The video takes place at a party that seems to be crowded with women treated slightly better than sex slaves. If you love the idea of watching scantily clad women being degraded for about seven minutes, this is the one for you.

It was banned from playing on A LOT of channels (probably because of charming scenes like sliding a credit card down a woman like she's an ATM at the bank...) The awkwardness of this video actually gets comical at one point and then it’s just really sad again. The song itself is pretty offensive as the term “tip drill” refers to a woman who’s got a great body but “less desirable” face. Classy choice, Nelly.

http://www.autostraddle.com/nicki-minajs-feminism-isnt-about-your-comfort-zone-on-anaconda-and-respectability-politics-251866/

The hype over Nicki Minaj‘s “Anaconda” has been a long process. It started when the cover, which featured a controversial image of Minaj’s behind, leaked on the Internet to much dismay; it continued to play out after the track’s audio release as the lyrics were heralded as feminist gold, and it all came to a much-needed climax in the form of the music video featuring Minaj, some backup dancers, and Minaj’s ass. Nicki Minaj is not a woman who easily slides into the roles assigned to women in her industry or elsewhere. She’s not polished, she’s not concerned with her reputation, and she’s certainly not fighting for equality among mainstream second-wave feminists. She’s something else, and she’s something equally worth giving credence to: a boundary-breaker, a nasty bitch, a self-proclaimed queen, a self-determined and self-made artist. She’s one of the boys, and she does it with the intent to subvert what it means. She sings about sexy women, about fucking around with different men. She raps about racing ahead in the game, imagines up her own strings of accolades, and rolls with a rap family notorious for dirty rhymes, foul mouths, and disregard for authority and hegemony.

 This music video is by Big Sean and Nicki Minaj. This music video focuses on females shaking their asses next to Big Sean. This video goes to show the least of respect men have for women in music videos. This video on emphasises on how women are viewed as sexual objects just there to please the 'male gaze.' This video reinforces the popular stereotype of women not being there just to please the 'male gaze' although there is an alternative ideology that goes on. Nicki Minaj is able to take control of the scene and become dominant although she is there performing her dance moves on Big Sean

In the documentary ‘My time now’ which is based on Nicki Minaj, she claims that the main thing that she likes about twitter is that she is able to feel closer to her fans and this is an advantage to her.  Sean Finnesey who is a music writer says that the thing about Nicki Minaj is that she is unique and that she is a star. He also claims that she is the most popular female rapper in the last 10-15 years.   Jeff Panzer says ‘She knows what she wants and she gets what she wants.’ Sean Finnesey says that she gained fame by being in other peoples songs which made her recognised.  Nicki Minaj also talks about how she is disappointed that there isn’t any female rapper that has built an empire beyond their rapper careers and she claims that due to this she wants to be the first female to achieve that.  In this documentary Nicki also mentions how people claim that she lips sings and that disappoints her and upsets her as she puts all herself in her music.  Nicki also talks about the loss that she suffered from, her grandmothers’ death.

https://www.list.co.uk/article/66148-nicki-minaj-enya-is-one-of-my-biggest-influences/

Nicki Minaj has revealed two tracks on her album are inspired by Irish musician Enya, and she hopes she can be as much of an inspiration for women as the 'Orinoco Flow' singer was for her. The 31-year-old rapper was a huge fan of the Irish musician as a youngster, and hopes she can influence as many women with her music as the 'Orinoco Flow' singer did. She said "One of my biggest is Enya.”There are two records early in the album where the airiness and the whimsicalness remind me of Enya, and I sort of crafted it thinking about her and the way her music makes me feel." Her upcoming studio album 'The Pinkprint' will be released in December, and the 'Anaconda' hitmaker is hoping the LP and her outlook on life will a good example to her fans on how to live their life. She explained: "I always feel it's important for me to show females that they can be in charge of their own situation, "I came into the game creating my own brand. I was doing things very early on that set me apart from people who just took orders and allowed their brand to be created for them."

http://filmsound.org/what_is_music_video/

Perceiving Music Videos

There seems to be different layers of perception when a human being is audio-viewing a music video. Interacting layers of perception may be instinctive, inter-subjective and individual, which in turn activate social aspects such as family, peer group, region, country, language etc. When these different layers interact with unique personal memories and instinctive behavior the analysis of music video becomes complicated. Situation variables occur frequently and they are often the content, suggests that many young people are unable to view a music video if they dislike the artist or the music. To give a simplified explanation, music video pictures can be a interpreted as a merging of three traditions of moving images: singing performance, visual story-telling, and the non-narration of modern art.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/nicki-minaj-talks-anaconda-video-cheeky-article-1.1980608

Nicki Minaj got "cheeky" with GQ magazine about her "Anaconda" video. "I don't know what there is to really talk about," she said, referring to the controversy that the bootylicious music video caused. "I'm being serious. I just see the video as being a normal video," the Queens, N.Y.-born rapper insisted, adding how there's no hidden meaning involved in the video's booty-poppin', banana-eating, lap dance-giving antics. "I think the video is about what girls do," Minaj continued. "Girls love being with other girls, and when you go back to us being younger, we would have slumber parties and we'd be dancing with our friends." As far as the banana cameo in the video, the 31-year-old emcee said it was a sign of female empowerment. "It's just cheeky, like a funny story. I'm chopping up the banana," she said in the November issue of the mag that hits newsstands Oct. 28. "Did you realize that? At first I'm being sexual with the banana, and then it's like, 'Ha-ha, no.'

Working title

Is the violent, materialistic and sexist content in Chief Keef's music taking negative representations in the hip hop genre to new extremes and what impact does this have on audiences?

Angle:

How does this negative violent representation of Chief Keef effect the audience?

Hypothesis:

In Chief Keef's violent music videos, he influences young boys to be doing the same and become violent. 

Chief Keef represents himself and his friends in a very violent and aggressive manner. He reinforces the typical stereotypes of young black men. He presents in himself as being a gang member and as being part of a loyal crew named '600'. In his videos as well as other guys from the grew, they mention the loyalty in their gang and how they'd do anything for each other. The non-verbal structure in his video also reinforces the stereotypes. He styles his hair in a manner where most of his face is hidden. His hairstyle is a very popular hairstyle that young black men tend to use. He also dresses in a way that intimidates people, he has trousers down low as well as wearing very dark colours that could connote the danger that surrounds him. Also, he always seem to be doing hand gestures that 'thugs' do to show where they are from. He shows the fact that he is rich by wearing good and expensive brands. He always seems to be showing alcohol in his videos as well as 'weed.' This could connote that he isn't very fearful about getting caught. This also reinforces the stereotypes of gangsters drinking and smoking a lot. The gang signs that he seems to repetitively do shows respect and loyalty between him and his other gang members.  

The music that he makes is mainly aimed to the age range of 18-26. The users gratification are an audience that are seeking for entertainment and escapism. This is mainly because his videos are entertaining. Audience would be seeking escapism as the world of Chief Keef is almost unreal, not something that everyone witnesses. Also, the drinks and the repetitive use of drugs makes his music more suited to people above the age of 18.  

Migrain

Cheif Keef is represented as a typical thug boy within his music as well as videos and everything. He puts an image that shows that he has had a rough hard childhood in Chicago. He refers to being from 'O-Block' and to be part of the crew known as 600 (six double o)  He puts this image of himself that makes himself look like a dominant teenage representation of someone of that area as in his videos there are many references to violences and crimes. 

 On instagram he outs pictures throwing gang sign, sagging pants, bikes, cars, drugs and etc.. All these iconographic materials emphasise on what kind of life he leads and what he associates himself with. He shows that he isn't playing or pretending.

To society, he shows a very negative attitude. Chief Keef represents himself as someone who should be feared of.He puts on a 'hood' image that would cause people who don't see what he is coming from to fear him and be scared of him.

The major convection within this music there are many themes that are popular between rappers. The conventions portrayed are typical conventions that are expected from rappers.The use of drugs, weapons, sex, women, alcohol and materialistic belongings emphasise on his nature and what type of life he leads. 

His main genre is Hip hop as well as rap hence the reasons to why he associates such images in his music. The portrayal of a rapper associated to him would be rapperrs such as 50 cent,

Shep

Social: 

The latest improvements made in the digital world are very helpful to upcoming rappers such as chief keef. This enables them to alert the audience about what kind of music he will be releasing, pictures that are associated to him, his instigram posts, tweets related to his music and information. People might get influenced by his lyrics and actions and representations in his music.

Historical

Chief Keef posted several YouTube videos while he was under house arrest for a weapon charger. He received a lot of attention which increased during the short time between the releases of several mixtapes for example ‘Bang’ and ‘I Don’t Like’, which became a local hit in Chicago getting the attention of Kanye West. A remix was soon then released featuring rappers such as Pusha T, Jadakiss and Big Sean.

Chief Keef was wanted by a number of labels asking him to sign onto their record including CTE World (Young Jeezy) however  he signed up with Interscope Records as they allowed him to have his own label called Glory Boyz which is now the CEO of, the deal was worth six million dollars.

Chief Keef released his studio album Finally Rich on December 18^th 2012 featuring 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, French Montana and Lil Reese.

In 2013 he released Hate Being Sober featuring 50 Cent and Wiz Khalifa, on November 16^th 2012 Chief Keef was a no-show for their music video shoot in Las Vegas.

On may 21^st 2013, Katy Perry tweeted he dislike for this song and Chief Keef replied in threats and insults to the singer, grabbing a lot of attention from both fan bases.

Complex named the song number 20 of the 50 best songs of 2012, Rapper Drake praised the song via Twitter saying he played it 130 times in 3 days and Chief Keef announced the single would be on Grand Theft Auto V.

On May 8^th 2013, Gucci Mane announced that Chief Keef would be the newest member of 1017 Brick Squad Records. On 18^th August 2013, the rappers 18^th birthday, he released his mixtape Bang Part 2.

Chief Keef has a number of incidents:

January 27^th 2011

Chief Keef was arrested on charges of heroine manufacture and distribution, he served time on house arrest.

December 2011

He was charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm on a police officer and unlawful use of a weapon along with misdemeanour charge for resisting arrest. He was held in the cook county juvenile detention centre until he was sentenced to home confinement.

September 5^th 2012

Investigation for a possible connection in the shooting of Lil JoJo as Chief Keef twitted a mocking comment on twitter which he argued was a result of a hacker. The mother of Lil JoJo was convinced Chief Keef has someone hired to kill her son.

January 16^th 2013

Taken into custody after a juvenile court judge decided a video of him firing a semiautomatic rifle at a New York gun range was a violation of probation. On March 14, 2013, Keef was released from a juvenile detention centre after serving the 60 days for violating his probation.

Keef was sued by Washington, D.C.based, Promotion Company Team Major for $75,000 for a missed show as he was supposed to perform at the O2 Arena in London on December 29, 2012 but never showed.

Political

VEVO and MTV have censored most of Chief Keefs videos as there is too much use of guns on camera. There are also many references to racism. The wording used in his lyrics is also censored as it causes moral panic. In the song Dont like there are many gaps as most of his lyrics have been censored. 

Economical

Chief Keef puts him and his associates in his videos who are usually topless and bopping and dancing to his music. They, as well as Chief Keef are drinking, smoking  and throwing gang signs. His as well as his crew members videos have been harshly criticized for lacking in creativity.

.Issues and Debates

The kind of genre that Chief Keef goes for is usually dangerous aswell as intimidating. When he raps in his song Dont like he refers to getting his gun out on officers. In his videos he glorifies the use of money, clothes, cars while drinking and smoking as he is dancing to his music. He  He has people who are in the video with him who show loyalty to him and who are down to 'ride or die' with him. The way he represents himself is the same way that his friends presents themselves as well. Perkins claim that there are truth of elements behind every stereotypes although it is hard to recognise what truth is behind his stereotypes.

Regulation and censorship 

Censorship has stopped him from using fire in his music videos and having racist gestures in his music. MTV and VEVO have edited his music video to a different extent as the use of guns, drugs, violence, weapons and racism was too much. The words such as 'shit' , 'nigga', 'bitch' were removed from most of videos.

Media Technology and revolotuion

Technology has allowed rappers to be showing the releases through instagram, youtube, twitter, facebook and social interactions like these. Most of his videos are advertised in through social media. 

Media effects

The copycat theory mention that the younger generation would idolise these bad thugs and try to live the same lifestyle as them. People would be influenced by his lyrics and try to lead a life like Cheif Keef: his use of drugs, the way he treats women and how he is willing to be killing people who oppose him.

Theories.

Gender and ethnicity

In this genre, besides Nicki Minaj there are not many female rappers. Males are more suited to rapping as this genre mainly includes the mistreatment of women, emphasising on dominance and dancing with females who are usually half naked. Socially constructing the idea that women are belonging and just seen as sex toys.

Audience theories 

The users and gratification includes an audience that seeks entertainment and escapism. This is because they are able to escape and feel some sort of amusement as they feel entertainment. Many people want to be rich and famous, have expensive cars and belongings. The psycho graphics include aspires and mainstream people who follow the popular trend. 

Critical Investigation

To what extent do music videos sexualise women, with particular reference to ‘Anaconda’ by Nicki  Minaj?

Angle:

Is the sexualism shown in Nicki Minaj's video effecting the audience?

 Hypothesis

Nicki Minaj is a celebrity that shows sexualisation of women in her music video which causes female in the audience to see her as a role model and try to be her.

Linked production:

The changes in the music industry

Migrain

On Instagram she posts pictures of her backside or her cleavage. In her Instagram there are many pictures of her and August Alsina in which she claims is her brother. She gives herself a negative representation as in most of her pictures she’s mostly naked; this shows that she lacks in modesty.

To society, she is seen as a negative model. This is due to the fact that she causes many little girls to be following her and see her as an example. Although it is arguable that she is comfortable with herself she still dresses in a very inappropriate manner.

The major generic conventions within the chosen text, being rap artists revolve around a few key words that some or all are mentioned in one song. These key words are the main themes for rappers; these words are those that are associated with sex, alcohol, drugs, weapons, women, materialistic belongings, reputation and also how good they are about what they do. These key conventions are portrayed in a range of artists’ music dating back a couple of decades to the present, we commonly see these aspects of artists under this genre and it becomes their focal points.

Her genre is mainly hip hop and this is shown by what she shows in her videos. Hip hop music, also called hip-hop rap music or hip-hop music is a music genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted. It developed as part of hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key stylistic elements: MCing/rapping, DJing/scratching, break dancing, and graffiti writing.

Media representation:

Nicki Minaj is always represented in a positive way in her music as she has some sort of dominance over men in her videos. Although there is female sexualism in her videos as she is always half naked with men surrounding her, Nicki seems to be above them as she represents herself in a manner in which the audience would feel that she is dominant.  Regardless, she is not seen as a positive ideals as journalists and concerned parents talk about her as being a negative influence to younger females. Feminist see Nicki Minajs popularity as a very negative impact on society as she influences girls into doing the things that she does in her videos. Many people seem to comment on Nicki Minaj and the things that people witness in her videos as Nicki Minaj was only discovered recently.

Media languages and forms

In Nicki Minaj's videos there is a reference to her performance. Looking closely at 'Anaconda', she keeps on referring to 'Anaconda' which is a males private area. The connotation of this would be that she is asking to engage in sexual activities. In this video, there is a lot of close ups shown of Nicki Minajs backside which in this video it seems to be empowering her. She is wearing very thin clothes that seem to show her figure, she is showing her backside, her legs, part of her stomach as well as her arms. One could argue that this liberates her and gives her some sort of confidence as she is able to show her figure like that.  The mise- en scene is very relevant to the music and the lyrics. It is arguable that the lyrics encourage people into engaging into sexual activities.  For example, her twerking and ass movements show her confidence and reinforce sexual activities. When she raps, the pace of the song increases which follow with more close ups.

 Nicki Minajs audience include girls from the age of 15-26. Many young girls seem to be into Nicki Minaj’s music as many girls feel that what she does in her videos will help them to get attention from guys as she seems to have many guy fans.

Historical

Minaj briefly signed with Brooklyn group Full Force, in which she rapped in a quartet called The Hoodstars composed of Lou$tar (son of "Bowlegged Lou"), Scaff Beezy and 7even Up.[23][24] In 2004 the group recorded the entrance song for WWE Diva Victoria, "Don't Mess With", which was featured on the compilation album ThemeAddict: WWE The Music, Vol.6. Minaj left Full Force, dissatisfied with their lack of success,[citation needed] uploaded songs on her Myspace profile and sent several of her songs to people in the music industry; at the time, she was managed by Debra Antney. Fendi, CEO of Brooklyn label Dirty Money Entertainment (who also discovered rapper Gravy), signed Minaj to his label. Originally adopting the stage name "Nicki Maraj", she changed it to Nicki Minaj: "My real name is Maraj. Fendi flipped it when he met me because I had such a nasty flow! I eat bitches!"[25] On Fendi's label Minaj appeared on the street DVD, The Come Up Volume 11, featuring underground rappers from New York.[citation needed]

Minaj released her first mixtape, Playtime is Over, on Dirty Money Records on July 5, 2007[26] and her second, Sucka Free, on April 12, 2008.[27] That year, she was named Female Artist of the Year at the 2008 Underground Music Awards.[28] In 2009 Minaj was involved in a conflict with ego trip's Miss Rap Supreme winner Rece Steele, who was annoyed when Minaj interrupted her interview and put a sign behind Steele's head;[29] Minaj hung up on interviewers from Spate magazine when they asked about the incident.[30] She released her third mixtape,Beam Me Up Scotty, on April 18, 2009[31] and it received favorable coverage on BET and MTV.[32][33] One of its tracks, "I Get Crazy", reached number 20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart and number 37 on the magazine's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[34]

After Minaj was discovered by fellow rapper Lil Wayne,[35] in August 2009 it was reported that she signed a recording contract with his Young Money Entertainment.[36] That November, she appeared with Gucci Mane and Trina on the remix of "5 Star Bitch" by Yo Gotti.[37] Minaj also appeared on "BedRock" and "Roger That"[38] on the compilation album,We Are Young Money (2009).[39] The singles peaked at numbers 2 and 56, respectively, on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100;[40] their parent album reached number nine on the U.S.Billboard 200, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[40][41] Minaj was featured on Mariah Carey's "Up Out My Face", which reached number 100 on the Billboard Hot 100.[42] At Jay-Z's suggestion, that February Robin Thicke featured Minaj on "Shakin' It 4 Daddy" and included her in several live performances (including The Late Show With David Letterman).[43]

 Economical

In Nicki Minajs videos, there are usually many men who are most likely to be topless. There’s always a group of girls dancing and ‘twerking’ with her. Her videos are highly creative as she comes out with unique videos such as Anaconda.

Political

Mtv and Vevo don’t experience much of censoring in her videos as she doesn’t use inappropriate language. In one or two videos Mtv and vevo would have to censor the lyrics but this is usally very rare.

Issues/Debates

Representation and stereotyping

Many people argue that the manner in which Nicki Minaj represents herself makes herself look like the queen of rappers.  Although she is shows a lot of her body in her videos, Nicki Minaj does present herself as someone who is dominant. She also usually has a group of men in her videos that she gets to dominate. It is arguable that she is trying to show an alternative to music videos that usually sexualise women? Her way of lifestyle has caused many young girls to try to imitate her and try to lead her lifestyle.

Regulation and censorship

In Nicki Minaj's, a lot of censorship takes place. This is due to the fact that her videos are not suitable to be put on tv, therefore Vevo and Mtv had to step in and censor her videos as her videos include a lot of inappropriate language. There is this new british law that was presented on the Guardian where they now have introduced a new age restriction on music videos as most of hip hop music videos are not appropriate to be shown on tv. America has yet to follow this british law. For now, Nicki Minaj is not effected by this as she is signed by an American institution. The coalescence of media regulation began in 2003 where VEVO and MTV would have to censor what is inappropriate to a younger audience as everyone has access to the internet.

Media Technology and the Digital Revolution

 Videos, images, phrase once released can never be completely taken down completely. Tweets, Instagram photos and Videos at shooting ranges have gotten Nicki Minaj a lot of attention. The verification on her Instagram as well as her twitter has gotten her a lot of attention from the public as well as publicity. The changes in media technology and the digital revolution has made it easier for singers to advertise their music through social networks where they are able to alert people about new releases or about music interviews or photo shoots. This goes into their advantages as they wouldn't have to go as far as paying for bill boards to advertise their music and such.

Media Effects

The copycat theory a way that younger generation would be influenced from idols on tv.  Girls would idolise her as she presents herself as the ‘Female Boss’ who is able to do many things that include dancing. The way she talks and dances and has dominance over people has gotten a lot of girls to be influenced by her and start listening to her music.

Moral panic

There is some sort of moral panic that has was raised from Nicki Minaj's videos. This is because she is changing many young girls by showing them her lifestyle. She tries to justify sex and not 'love em or cuff em.' This refers to not have any emotional attachment after engaging sexual. This causes young girls to be justified and to think that engaging with sexual intercourse without 'love em or cuff em.' Many parents have raised awareness. There was also an article on the guardian about how she is teaching young girls an alternative lifestyle.

Gender and ethnicity

This is a very hard genre that recognises females. This genre is usually for male rappers but Nicki Minaj was able to show an alternative to this by being one of the most successful female rappers. She is able to rap as well show some sense of dominance in her videos which make her have more power over the men in her videos. She does show some sort of gender possession in her videos as she shows that she is dominant over the males in the videos such as 'super bass' where she pulls one the performers ties in a manner that shows dominance and power over him in her music video.

Audience Theories

The users and gratification includes an audience that seeks entertainment and escapism; this is because they want to be amused and watch something interesting as well as watch something that includes things or a lifestyle they desire. Many people wish to be rich and recognised like Nicki Minaj is.  It is everyone’s wish to be in fancy cars, to have men running after them and to be making big sums of money. Not many people are in a position in which they could live the fancy lifestyle so the audience are most likely to feel some sense of escapism from reality by watching her videos. Also, in today's society not many females are seen as dominant over males like she is in her music videos. This could reassure her audience as she shows an alternative lifestyle in her music videos.

Marxist and Hegemony

One could argue that in her music videos, Nicki Minaj presents an alternative lifestyle and by ding this she changes the cultural norms. After doing some research on different cultures, I found out that there is no culture that accepts Nicki Minaj lifestyle. Religions, in the other hand, don't accept this. Nicki Minaj was able to introduce different norms for young girls as she is seen as role model from young girls. Nicki Minaj does challenge religion, cultures and popular norms by offering an alternative lifestyle. In most cultures, women shouldn't be too outgoing and in most cultures women do not posses the dominance over males. By showing dominance over males and by showing confidence in showing her body she challenges most of religions and cultures and causes moral panic.

Genre theories

A musical genre is ‘a set of musical events (real or possible) whose course is governed by a definite set of socially accepted rules’.

The notion of set, both for a genre and for its defining apparatus, means that we can speak of sub-sets like ‘sub-genres’, and of all the operations foreseen by the theory of sets: in particular a certain ‘musical event’ may be situated in the intersection of two or more genres, and therefore belong to each of these at the same time. There are many genre theories about what music videos fit what specific genre. For them to fit certain genre theories they have to got include certain things. Andrew Goodwins says that music videos more often than not tend to include a demonstration of typical genre characteristics.

Post-modernism

The term post-modernism has been applied to a host of movements, many in art, music, and literature, that reacted against tendencies in modernism. Post modernism theories claim that we have left the period of modernism and reject the age on enlightenment.  The word post modernism refers to the movement in arts, literature and music. It claims that we have changed what entertain us. Post modernism theories argue that due to the changes that have occurred in the last years, one could not claim that we live in modern society any more and that we have entered a post modern society.

Media texts:

Anaconda

Super Bass

Other Media texts

I dont like- Chief Keef

Best thing I never had- Beyonce

Rude boy- Rihanna

Love Sosa- Chief Keef

Tv documentaries

Nicki Minaj- my time now

Internet links

http://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/news/162/sexism-racism-endemic-in-music-videos-new-briefing

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/sexualised-music-videos-only-teach-women-how-to-sell-out/story-fni0cwl5-1227070613498

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/brendanoneill2/100245877/the-feminist-war-on-sexist-pop-videos-is-fuelled-by-ugly-misanthropic-prejudices-of-its-own/

http://likes.com/music/20-most-antifeminist-music-videos-of-all-time