Micky Hamid

Music Video Analysis

2 Chainz – Im Different

The music video opens with an establishing shot of a Ferrari with its top down, and a beach clearly visible in the background. The Ferrari is clearly a status symbol of wealth, as only the richest can afford these luxurious cars, therefore emphasizing the wealth of 2 Chainz. Showing off wealth is also a common stereotype for black people, so he is also reflecting upon his ethnicity in this representation. 2 Chainz is from Miami, Florida therefore the beach in the background is iconic to his hometown, as Miami has obvious connotations with beaches and warm weather, which is also shown by the fact that the roof is down on the Ferrari. The clothing shown in this particular scene again represents 2 Chainz’ ethnicity as the two men in the car are wearing snapbacks which is an extremely stereotypical item of clothing for black people. Overall, however, the representations shown in this opening scene are positive, as it is clearly showing wealth, so the viewer clearly gets the feel that is going to be a music video that shows power and luxury.

The following scene shows a white man in a police car. This is again a huge representation of ethnicity as black people have a common representation with crime, therefore negatively representing black people. It is also perhaps showing how white people hold authority and power over black people.

In terms of mise en scene, 2 Chainz is covered in chains and necklaces, hence the name, which again is a status symbol of power and wealth. He is also wearing a full Versace leopard print suit, which is an extremely expensive designer, so he is again emphasising his wealth. This again represents his ethnicity as black people, especially rappers, are known to exert their wealth in extremely obvious and in a gloating fashion. 2 Chainz also has very long braided or dreadlocked hair, this is obvious showing his Afro-American roots, again displaying his ethnicity. The palm trees in the background are again iconic to the setting of Miami.

This scene then shows the two black men get out of the Ferrari, and actually point a gun and handcuff the policeman. This again emphasises the stereotype that associates black people with

crime, as they are clearly violating the law. It is also showing a role reversal, as it would be more obvious for the white policeman to be handcuffing a potentially dangerous black man. Therefore it again shows the thug and violent behaviour that is so often associated with black people.

This scene shows 2 Chainz with his middle fingers up to the camera, which supports the point made in the previous paragraph, with black people known for their aggressiveness and violence.

Throughout the video, and throughout rap culture, women are so often objectified only for sexual purposes. Rap suggests that women are like trophy symbols of power, and this scene clearly shows that as a woman is shown wearing no clothing to emphasise the sexual objectification of women.

Finally, the style of the music video is a mixture between conceptual and a performance. This is because many of the scenes have meaning, which I have explained, and it is clearly a performance as 2 Chainz can be seen performing the actual song throughout the music video. However, there isn’t much of a narrative story in the music video, apart from the short scene where the policeman gets involved with the two black men.