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Akshay Wuppuluri
Moosman
IB LA
08 March 2021
Music Video analysis
Music Video #1: Beyonce - Pretty Hurts
The video consists of Beyonce, including other women, in a competition, specifically a beauty
pageant. It shows the two sides of the beauty competition and of life. It displays the side that
we, audience members, see when we see and think of a beauty pageant but then it also shows
the dark side that not many people see. It shows the struggles that the contestants face in
order to get a chance to win. The artist is trying to send a message about beauty and not having
the need to go to extremes to be the standard definition and quota of beauty. They are giving
information and awareness about the events and things that happen during beauty
competitions and the monstrosities that are forced upon the competitors to live up to the
“natural standard of beauty.” This video shows people support the stereotype of a standard
definition of beauty but the video tries to tell people not to accept this stereotype. It doesn't
necessarily break that stereotype as all of the contestants are slim and tall individuals. The
colors in this video show involve bright colors and these represent happiness and goodness but
they slowly lead to dark colors with a mix of the light colors showing the two sides of the story.
Music Video #2: Rihanna Feat. Calvin Harris - We Found Love
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This video shows the ups and downs of a loving relationship. It shows the good and the bad and
everything else that happens between the two sides and how they compare. The colors in this
video vary as there are light colors and dark colors and the video switches between the light
and dark colors. The light colors show the happiness and the good times between the couple
while the dark colors show the sadness, anger, hardships, struggles, and battles that the two
face when looking for happiness. The artist uses police sirens to transition between the good
and the bad. This video is supposed to be for those that are in a relationship and are having a
hard time with one meaning that it could be for those of 17 years and older as this is the time
when relationships tend to become stronger and more important. The artist is trying to tell
people that no matter what, people should always persevere in a relationship and persevere
through anything. They are trying to give advice to young couples about sticking together and
trying their best to do good in a relationship and in life.
Music Video #3: Keri Hilson Feat. Timbaland - Return the Favor
This video has a retro and a futuristic feeling to it. The color white is everywhere and the
costumes and sunglasses feel as though they are from the future. There can also be tv’s seen
but they look like tv’s from before the 2000’s which shows the retro. On the tv’s were the artist
dancing and singing the song and there were cameras at every angle. This shows that someone
is watching at all time, like in 1984.Throughout the video there are also futuristic effects
involved like mirroring and pixelation. This was a reminder of the future. The artist may feel
that the video was just for fun and entertainment or they may feel and think the same as I do. It
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is possible that the artist is referencing or nodding towards a future that involves constant
oversight and little to no freedom.
Music Video #4: Kylie Minouge - Wow
This video has some juxtaposition. The artist and the dancers in the video seem to be wearing
white and silver clothes. This represents and feels like clothes from the future. They are all
dancing in a club that also seems to be a futuristic club with everything glowing but it is very
obvious that this video has been filmed over a decade ago and technology since then has
changed. The club has colors and lights that are bright and colorful. This mixing of two different
styles, perspectives, and meaning shows that the artist is optimistic and excited for the future
that awaits. They see good in the future unlike the last video that seemed to only have white
and black as colors, even though they are both pop songs with catchy and repetitive beats and
rhythms.
