Rick Ross ft. Styles P – B.M.F. (Blowin’ Money Fast)

‘2010’

Characteristics of the Hip-Hop genreHip hop music originated in the 1970’s, and it was mainly block parties in New York City where neighborhood communities would congregate simply for mutual enjoyment and entertainment. Since hip hop music was first created in the late seventies it has gone through an array of changes. The hip hop that we’ve have become accustomed to nowadays, known as the ‘Mainstream Breakthrough’ of hip hop, is much different to the tracks that were being created when hip hop was invented.

Regardless of the music's evolution, hip hop's defining characteristics are syncopated drum rhythms (usually built with samples); and an MC rhyming spoken lyrics on top of the instrumental/beat. Hip hop music; often modernly referred to purely as ‘Hip-hop’ or ‘Rap’ music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping of an artist, (a rhyming speech that is vocalized in perfect rhythmic timing). It developed as part of hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key stylistic elements: MC-ing/rapping, DJ-ing/scratching, break dancing and graffiti writing. Other elements also include beat boxing.

While often used to refer to rapping, "hip hop" more properly denotes the practice of the entire subculture. The term hip hop music is sometimes used synonymously with the term rap music, though rapping is not a required component of hip hop music. A the genre may also incorporate other elements of hip hop culture, including DJ-ing and scratching, beat boxing, and instrumental tracks instead of rapping.

1.Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in metal video, dance routine for boy/ girl band.)

Its very difficult to state certainties of characteristics in a hip-hop/rap genre video due to the fact that the genre itself has many sub genres. Therefore, this makes it harder to cast stereotypes considering that the stylistic characteristics of which the genre possesses changes artist to artist and region by region. Granted, although it’s hard to box hip-hop/rap to certain elements and characteristics. Assumptions can be made and expectations of what should be in this type of video will vary person to person, for me personally the inclusion of money, cars, females and jewelry are always anticipated. Hip-hop/rap music today often is about the artist having a status, so a big entourage is also expected which symbolizes perhaps strength, unity and the power of the artist. Also, typically the mise-en-scene associated with this genre would be located in some region of the rapper hometown neighborhood (their ‘hood’).

2.There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. (Either illustrative, amplifying and contradicting.)

The song itself can almost lead the listener into assuming the track possesses hidden connotations of money not being a big thing to our artist Rick Ross. The

throwing of money, endless diamond encrusted jewels and exuberant cars is what suggests this; along with the song title itself ‘Blowin’ Money Fast’. But this somewhat does appear contradictory, as had money not have been a big thing

to our artist. Then both the visuals and the lyrics would not have needed to revolve around things which would appear ‘trivial’ to our artist. So although the

visuals do illustrate a genuine image of Rick Ross’ fortune, this image is both amplified and in a sense contradictory.

The theme of blowing money fast is exaggerated through the excessive amount of jewelry “look at my time

piece…hundred wrecks at least”

2.There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. (Either illustrative, amplifying and

contradicting.)

There is a recurring theme of cars which run throughout the songs visuals and lyrics, the is what puts the song into perspective; as it can be assumed that this is what Rick Ross ‘blows his money fast’ on. The rapper ‘Rick Ross’ says “My Rolls Royce triple black” at the very start of the opening verse. This amplifies the fact that our artist has a lot of money. (Rolls Royce, being a very expensive vehicle). Showing that Rick Ross only “blows” his money on the best of the best, is represented by the fact that Rolls Royce is a English brand car recognized and trademarked for its luxury; this too amplifies his wealth. Later in the song the artist who features on the track ‘Styles P’ talks about owning a “Subaru, rally car”. This Japanese sports car again amplifies their wealth by highlighting that they can own such an expensive vehicle. (This is also reinforced by the inclusion of the Lamborghini the two artist drive around in also in the video.

Emphasis On Cars

(Rolls Royce from the video) (Lamborghini from the video)

2.There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. (Either illustrative, amplifying and contradicting.)

The chorus of a song is usually the way in which a track can be summarized to some great extent. “One nation, under God, real n***** getting money from the f****** start” is a line from the chorus which emulates the recurring theme of spending money quickly (of which the song is based on). The image of the artist Rick Ross throwing $100 bills about, illustrates how affluent he truly is. But also amplifies the fact that he has money, by making his money seem like a trivial thing. Which in a sense can appear quite contradictive.

“Look at yourself, now look at me, you can’t see a n**** I'm what you you use to be. Look at it this way, you n***** sideways, always getting money my n**** crime pays”. By saying look at yourself, now look at me Rick Ross differentiates himself from others by using his wealth as a border of separation. The lyrics “crime pays” suggests that Rick Ross makes his money through committing felonies. This is then illustrates through the discreet counting of a stack of money, (seen to the right) which amplifies that his money is illegally made. This image of crime/felonies is reinforced by the lyrics “Where the f****** felons, where my dawgs at?” . Meaning these felons are in fact Rick Ross’ counterparts.

The fact that the majority of the money shown in the video are $100 bills amplifies Rick Ross’ opulence. But there are many elements the lyrics which contradict this. For example when he says “Stunt so hard” in the second verse. The word ‘Stunting’ meaning showing off; perhaps contradicts his lyrics and instead shows how he masquerades as someone whom possess genuine riches. This idea is amplified through his over extravagant wearing of jewelry, which again can be seen to be worn under false pretences making him appear pretentious in some way.

3.There is a relationship between music and visuals. (Either illustrative, amplifying and contradicting.)

Before the beat drops, very quick cuts and sometimes very rapid fades are used to match to sharp rhythmic ‘flickering’ sound which appears at the end of each chorus to signify next verse. Towards the end of the song we hear more of these sharp ‘flickering’ noises, which are also represented by the sharp edits. There are many edits throughout to match the up-tempo instrumental, also it is fair to say that the interchange between clips through the use of cuts (for the major duration of the song) can often be expected when listening as they often simultaneously coincide which the noticeable sound of the bass.

In the second verse which begins ”These motherf*****s mad that I’m icy” the beat reaches it’s highest tempo throughout the entire song, possibly to signify that it is Rick Ross’ final verse (which builds up momentum for his final words). But it is also the moment at which Rick Ross raps most aggressively. So the tempo matches his rapping, but the visuals also change as we see many more cuts in shorter time spans in-between clips; which highlights the relationship between the music and visuals. The entourage in the back also start to dance aggressively and boisterously in coordination with the music, and the camera is on a slight slant to signify the excitement and passion of our rapper, and also his companions.

The visuals during the chorus pattern the music, the cuts slow down which pattern the calming down of the music. But when the rapper says his individual verses, we notice the camera no longer take still shots (perhaps on a tripod of some sort) but instead it appears the shots have been filmed possibly by hand. The shaking of the camera therefore also mirrors the music as the rappers individual verses is when the music is at its most potent.

4.The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop

motifs which recur across their work ( a visual style.)

The main demands of a record label is to sell their artist. In this video, there is a vast amount of medium/close-ups used to acquaint the artist to their audience. This also shows us that Rick Ross is our lead artist, as the close-ups make it personal to him considering its is his track; and therefore separates him from any other artist featuring on the song.

The artist and his entourage fulfill the typically associated visual style linked with music artists of this genre. The wearing of expensive jewelry typifies the majority of rappers dress sense. Also (as seen above) the majority of the clothing is dark with black clothing often referred to as colors worn when committing crimes. The committing of crimes also therefore, relates to the title of the song ‘Stay Schemin’, although the wearing of bright clothing (to the right) differentiates the artist from other rappers, but also highlights that he is the main person to watch in the video.

5.There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screen, telescopes, etc. ) and particularly

voyeuristic (sexual) treatment of the female body.

There is no voyeuristic treatment of the female body present in the video. As the inclusion of this element perhaps would have taken away from the status that

artists of this genre try to maintain. Females in the video may have appeared gimmicky and therefore to

command the respect that are rapper wishes to achieve, there was no voyeuristic treatment of the female body whatsoever. The inclusion of many males instead, again reinforces this idea of the artist aiming to have a status

that is respected.

6.There is often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc.)

There are no intertextual references in the music video. This is due to the fact that the artist wants his audience to focus completely on his song. The use of medium/close-ups magnifies this, as he tends to be the commanding figure in his music videos. Therefore meaning that any other references would lead to the possibility of his prowess in the video being slightly lessened.

7.Whether the video is primarily performance based, narrative based or concept based and how

elements of each is used in it.

There is no choreography and no narrative, but the performance side to it aims to sell the artist by giving the audience an insight to his personality. Through the use of acting. Also the