Music video analysis 3

For my third music video analysis I have decided to analyse Plan B's  song entitled Ill manors. This song has influenced not only my initial idea but my view with regards to social inequality on the whole. This music video can be argued to be a reaction to the coverage of the 2011 London riots which consisted of a detrimental amount of crime in the UK's major cities. The music video depicts the life of young 'thugs' on an estate with a gang like mentality.

With regards to the relationship of the visuals to the lyrics, it would be considered a strong relationship as there is a direct connection of what Plan B is saying and what is being illustrated on screen. The overview of the lyrics is that he is basically saying that all the common stereotypes and thoughts towards the young people who live in deprived areas and particularly on the council estates of London are true so if you live in a nice area you should stay away. The lyrics are aimed at the middle and upper class population of Britain.The lyrics are very negative towards the young people and the artist uses phrases such as 'scum of the earth'. The music video depicts the young people doing criminal activities such as violence, drug dealing, robberies and gang related crimes. It can be argued that these lyrics are a retaliation to how the media depicted the 2011 riots from the perspective of the bourgeoisie and the rich in the country. This suggests that the song is there to give the side of the working class ordinary citizens that were in fact involved in the riots. The lyrics constantly link back to the events of 2011.

"There's no such thing as broken Britain 
We're just bloody broke in Britain
What needs fixing is the system
Not shop windows down in Brixton"

This song belongs to the genre of hip hop which has its own characteristics and conventions attached to it. With regards to music videos and this genre specifically, the videos often follow gritty themes and subjects in order to entice an audience into a topic of a taboo nature which is exciting for viewers and listeners as it can often be viewed by middle and upper class people as frightening. 

With regards to intertextuality, the artist plan b address many issues of the system in place within the UK today. He address these issues through the music video by using real life footage of events such as John Prescott being egged by a member of the public. Another use of this is the wedding cake of David Cameron and Nick Clegg being eaten by a dog. This is all intertextuality which links to the idea that the government are doing it all wrong. The intertextuality references the cultures surrounding these ideologies from almost a marxist perspective where its being argued that the rich bourgeoisie are running the country in their favour in order to retain money and wealth.

With regards to performance of the artist being used within the music video, plan b the initial artist of the song is seen throughout the music video acting as almost a narrator telling a story. This, in my opinion, works well and in favour for the message the artist is trying to get across, he has basically turned himself into a spokesman for the argument being put forward by the lyrics and visuals.