Artist Research and Video Analysis.

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Rihanna was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados. Becoming an international sensation, Rihanna is known for blending R&B with Caribbean music, such as reggae and dancehall. Rihanna was originally marketed as a reggae singer since she burst into the music scene in 2005, with a styles of pop, R&B and dancehall. Her music include various styles of musical genres, including contemporary R&B, dance-pop and the Caribbean music styles of reggae and dancehall. With the release of Music of the Sun and its lead single "Pon de Replay", Jason Birchmeier of All music described Rihanna's musical style as "synthesize Caribbean rhythms and beats with standard-issue urban dance-pop: Caribbean-inflected urban, if you will." Rihanna is described as utilizing "dancehall-lite beats and a reggae vocal cadence." Influences: Rihanna has named Madonna as her idol and biggest influence, and said she wants to be the "black Madonna“. She said: "I think that Madonna was a great inspiration for me, especially on my earlier work. If I had to examine her evolution through time, I think she reinvented her clothing style and music with success every single time. And at the same time remained a real force in entertainment in the whole world." Rihanna also cited Mariah Carey as her influence and idol. She said "I looked up to Mariah a lot and I still do. I admire her as an artist, and to compete with her was a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life.

Transcript of Artist Research and Video Analysis.

Page 1: Artist Research and Video Analysis.

Rihanna was born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988, in Saint Michael, Barbados.

Becoming an international sensation, Rihanna is known for blending R&B with Caribbean music, such as reggae and dancehall.Rihanna was originally marketed as a reggae singer since she burst into the music scene in 2005, with a styles of pop, R&B and dancehall. Her music include various styles of musical genres, including contemporary R&B, dance-pop and the Caribbean music styles of reggae and dancehall. With the release of Music of the Sun and its lead single "Pon de Replay", Jason Birchmeier of All music described Rihanna's musical style as "synthesize Caribbean rhythms and beats with standard-issue urban dance-pop: Caribbean-inflected urban, if you will." Rihanna is described as utilizing "dancehall-lite beats and a reggae vocal cadence."

Influences:Rihanna has named Madonna as her idol and biggest influence, and said she wants to be the "black Madonna“. She said: "I think that Madonna was a great inspiration for me, especially on my earlier work. If I had to examine her evolution through time, I think she reinvented her clothing style and music with success every single time. And at the same time remained a real force in entertainment in the whole world." Rihanna also cited Mariah Carey as her influence and idol. She said "I looked up to Mariah a lot and I still do. I admire her as an artist, and to compete with her was a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life.

Page 2: Artist Research and Video Analysis.

Kanye Omari West, born June 8, 1977 is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Janet Jackson. His style of production originally used pitched-up vocal samples from soul songs incorporated with his own drums and instruments. However, subsequent productions saw him broadening his musical palette and expressing influences encompassing '70s R&B, baroque pop, trip hop, arena rock, folk, alternative, electronica, synth-pop, and classical music.

West has said that Wu-Tang Clan producer RZA influenced him in his style and has said on numerous occasions that Wu-Tang rappers Ghostface Killah and Ol' Dirty Bastard were some of his all-time favourites.

These are a few songs Kayne has produced- Click on the Link Below:

Touch the Sky- http://www.vevo.com/watch/kanye-west/touch-the-sky-mtv-version/USUV70600111?source=instantsearch

Stronger- http://www.vevo.com/watch/kanye-west/stronger/USUV70704067?source=instantsearch

All of the Lights- http://www.vevo.com/watch/kanye-west/all-of-the-lights/USUV71002949?source=instantsearch

Page 3: Artist Research and Video Analysis.

I am going to choose one of Kayne West’s song out of the three I have looked at, I will pause them throughout the duration of the video and screen shot them so I can analyse them according to what I am looking at.

Immediately the start of the film is giving us something to read, the black and white effect shows us that this maybe isn't suppose to resemble a recent era but a past memory.

The medium shot shows us where she is but doesn’t take the focus right off of her, we are able to tell that she is completely on her own, which gives a proffered reading of danger or loneliness and uncared for.

This shot gives us a clear idea of where the video is set and how the song will revolve around the atmosphere. We as the audience instantly think of danger, gangs and violence when we see and estate like this, the fact that it is in black and white too gives it a more gritty run down feeling.

This distant shot gives us a clear view to where she is, ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’ also shows us a visual image of the term commonly used when something good is going to come out of something you have done, whereas this doesn’t look like its going to happen in the previous shots we have seen in the video.

This is a close up shot, it shows a very clear expression on her face which tells us of the atmosphere she must be in.

Editing was used here, fast change of colour made everything look confusing and disorientated, I think this was meant to give an example of how the little girl is feeling.

Page 4: Artist Research and Video Analysis.

Here editing has been used for the writing, a black background has been used so that the writing stands out clearly. Several effects have been used to make the writing travel in and out of the shot. Big Bold text is used for two of the shots and a hazy light effect is used for the last one.

This is a medium close up of Kayne, it shows him on a simple background so the main focus is on him, the shot shows his costume and accessories, giving him a look of fashion and wealth.

This shot shows him on a police car, this could connotate violence and rebellious attitudes.

In this shot of Rihanna shows that her part in the video is too look sexual and seductive. The black background she is in front of makes her red hair stand out and draws our attention straight to what she is doing.

Page 5: Artist Research and Video Analysis.

The lighting used here changes in a very fast repetitive motion, this makes it eye catching and we want to watch more. The songs title ‘All of the Lights’ relates to these shots. There are both medium and close up shots used here.

This is a close up shot of the little girl we have previously seen in the video, it shows her looking as though she is certain to where she is and doesn’t look threatened which is how we saw her before.

There has been editing used here, it shows the word ‘lights’ moving out slowly, Rihanna behind with a edited pink shade shows her singing, there is a lot going on in this shot at the same time so keeps our attention.

This shot shows Kayne dancing, the fading of him moving gives a clear example of the editing used, you can see he looks happy in the shot which links to the part of the song.