A level media mest 4: October 2016

Monday, 31 October 2016

Research

The Guardian

‘Cities are built with language’: how poetry feeds on urban life

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/oct/06/cities-poetry-urban-language-national-poetry-day

· Covers all kind of poetry
Tom Chivers ‘There is this energy and aggression and speed in a city that lends itself to poetry – cities are built with poetry’
· Inua Ellams ‘poems are 3D portraits of the World using a few words as possible’
· Hip hop – urban kind of poetry that has exploded I the past 30 years; expresses the experience of black Americans
· Ellam believes there urban poetry can relate to other poetry with the example of ‘8 Mile’

Currently ‘Rhythm And Poetry’ is dominated through hip hop which has developed its own stereotypes and representations it has on people over the years. The typical ones would be that rap is violent, abusive, racist etc. Poetry wasn’t always like this as it says in the article it used to be an attraction for locals as it would discuss issues and images in society. Furthermore, because the internet was a mere shadow of other platforms like print and broadcast the poems were probably be for locals distributed in newspapers and radios.

The Guardian

Female rappers take a stand in Mexico’s capital of violence against women

https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/sep/22/female-rappers-mexico-city-violence-against-women

· Veteran rapper, Luz Reality, gets unnerved by the constant threat of assaults in Ecatepec’s clandestine concert venues
· Woman was found burned on an empty patch of grass, was still alive and told the police but died shortly after through injuries
· Neighbourhood has become Mexico’s ‘capital of violence against women’- since 2012 on average, one woman has been killed every week
· In one of the concerts, the rappers began expressing their feelings about the crimes taking place of women so frequently - people were recording it with their phones
· Luz first heard about rap in the early 1990’s which helped her connect with her family

Rap gives a voice to all kinds of people. The main group of people that would come to mind is black people. We have seen through the years the number of hip hop artists trying to tell a story, a real to life story about the mistreatment of black people – police brutality. But this article shows rap being used from a slightly alternative perspective. This is because it is women doing the portraying and the audience in Mexico are the ones who would be the ones to accept this change or not. The women just want equality in the dangerous neighbourhood where women go missing on weekly bases which doesn’t seem like much to ask for. I believe a political debate about this would not really influence the people who are committing these crimes on the vulnerable women because the article says police stay out of their way which suggests these people are invincible. Therefore, rap allows these women to present their feelings in a song and especially because they are big icons in Mexico it could influence some of the people. In addition, Tesa Perkins’ theory can be applied to infer that some stereotypes are true and the one being displayed in Mexico is that it is an uncivilised country (some parts) and it could be the reason why some of them decide to immigrate to the US.

Daily Mail

The hip hop cop shop: Police opened fake rap music store and snared 30 gangsters for drugs and gun offences

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2036437/The-hip-hop-cop-shop-Police-opened-fake-rap-music-store-snared-30-gangsters-drugs-gun-offences.html

· Police opened fake rap music store and snared 30 gangsters for drugs and gun offences
· Total of 37 armed criminals and drug dealers have been jailed for a total of more than 400 years
· Private back room of a hip hop store
· Shop operated for more than 12 months with officers who were trained in the music they were selling
· Criminals aged between 16 and 41 were charged with various offences
· The shop has a sound booth for people to record music usually hip hop
· 19 of the 27 men were black

The fact that the police decided to use a ‘hip hop shop’ and not anything else obviously highlights the association the genre has with crime. These artists who rap about criminal activity have had an influence on these people as they are criminals now or possibly were criminals before listening to rap and are now able to relate with the artists (Uses and Gratification theory – personal identity). Also, ideologies of black people being criminals and negatively impacting the UK would be reinforced because of this investigation because 19 of the 27 pictured men are black. Despite the men holding firearms or drugs, we could argue that hip hop was used to keep them off the streets so would be less likely to use them. They weren’t harming anyone and no one’s life was in danger so this could suggest they were being passive.

EMC (English & Media Centre)

Reading Rap: how do people interpret music? Rapper David Aidoo’s article

https://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/media-magazine/articles/16933

· Music able to bring people together whilst simultaneously segregating us
· Evident in social networking World of harsh tweets or hash tags
· There is an obvious generation gap between the kids and the adults
· Popular songs today have more power than before as they dictate social circles, fashion trends, clubs people visit, new memes, slang etc.
· Prepubescent children being influenced because mainstream music is branded as ‘brainwashing’
· Music today lacks structure, taste and feeling
· Basic interpretation comes from ‘How does this (song) make me feel?’
· He believes people wouldn’t be able to enjoy hip hop songs if it’s hard to understand what the artists is saying
· He believes majority of hip hop fans don’t even understand the lyrics and he thought they just looked like chickens on a farm bopping their heads
· Elder generation have a tendency to blame rap for the violence amongst youngsters
· Is it the media that creates and reinforce violent stereotypes or is it the media producers simply constructing a reflection of society

This article demonstrates the way audiences in hip hop enjoy their music. In some cases, which is similar to 80’s and 90’s rap, people listen to rap songs for the lyrics and the feelings they build from what the artists are saying. Considering that these rap songs were mostly associated with violence, drugs and sex it could be the reason why people were influenced into the criminal lifestyle. I can apply the Uses and Gratification theory to infer that a few people constructed a personal relationship and/or personal identification. This could be because those people probably lived similar lives (in the ghetto) and have gone through the same struggles as their favourite artists so may regard them as a role model performing the acts the rapper glorifies in their song. Therefore, this could reinforce the stereotypes of rap being a huge influence on people especially those without much hope (lacking education) which could be black people as they are associated with this representation in society mainly because of the link between them and the ghetto – run down areas.

EMC (English & Media Centre)

Representation in Rap - 50 Cent

https://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/media-magazine/articles/16057

· 50 is sexist, misogynistic, materialistic, arrogant and proponent of violence as a solution to the many problems he comes across in the ghetto. Shocking role model but he still has a healthy fan base
· He stars in films, shows, computer game. Most of these are successful and his audience seemed to enjoy the content he created
· Need to view 50 Cent’s media texts in a different perspective; consider the socio economic reality of black America
· 50 Cent’s behaviour is music videos is typical of a black rapper and it reinforces the stereotypes people have formed on hip hop and the black community – objectifying women
· Article says, ‘no one would seriously confuse the stage performance of most music stars with what goes on in their private life’
· The hustling, pimping and hoeing are all part of a carefully controlled image designed to sell as many records as possible
· His fans respect his grind and the work he put in to escape the ghetto

This article shows a balanced viewing of the famous hip hop artists, 50 Cent. It begins with the content he creates and the reaction from his fan base to some of the discriminating and immoral scenes in his music videos or computer game. I believe his audience wouldn’t be too fussed with the explicit images on display because they like 50 unconditionally and it’s common in the industry of gaming and music. For example, the way women are portrayed in these videos can be disturbing to some people as he objectifies them lyrically and physically. In addition to this, the audience are pleasured by this as the women wear revealing clothes and behave in seductive ways.

EMC (English & Media Centre)

Ghetto Culture – ‘City of God’ and ‘La Haine’

https://www.englishandmedia.co.uk/media-magazine/articles/16789

· Text is ‘City of God’ which is the story of a favela and its inhabitants through the sixties – eighties
· The people from the favelas live in extreme poverty and are surrounded by gang violence and the drug trade.
· Film was financed by TV Globo (Brazil’s biggest TV channel) and O2 films
· Budget was $3,300,000 and grossed over $24 million worldwide which suggests it appealed to a mass audience
· Typical representations of young black males in gangs, shooting guns and taking drugs
· La Haine set in 1990’s and the protagonist lives on the outskirts of Paris
· Deals with police brutality, racism and civil unrest
· Opens with immediate context: real footage of riots that regularly took place between youth and police between 1986 and 1996
· Made for approximately $3 million which had also won awards
· Narrative inspired by American independent films such as ‘Boyz N The Hood’ and film makers such as Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee
· The films take a similar to approach with American film narratives where the protagonists wants to escape the ‘hood’ and the life of crime
· These protagonists portray a more positive viewing of young black people
· However, other characters reinforce stereotypes constructed on the ethnic minority
· There are characters in both films who are both drug dealers
· The characters aren’t living wealthy lives, selling drugs to provide for family
· Favelas were initially created to house freed slaves
· La Haine: characters all refer to each other with racial banter; it is argued that people from ethnic minorities often do this to celebrate their difference from the rest of society
· A defining characteristic of these ghetto cultures is their antagonism towards the police
· Representation of police in both films is almost entirely negative (COG – corrupt)
· City of God: Police sell guns to gangsters, shoot suspects (including an innocent youth on his way to school), steal money and drugs from dealers and never seen helping anyone
· La Haine: police brutality witnessed when two of the protagonists are tortured
· City of God is based in Brazil and La Haine is in France ‘life is not as cheap on the European streets as it is in the Brazilian favelas’.
· Women are underrepresented in both these films
· The characters lack jobs, education or any reason to feel pride, so they resort to carrying guns and insulting women to make themselves feel like men
· La Haine uses hip hop to set the scene
· The films bring harsh social realities to the screen in educational and visually exciting ways with interesting characters

This article discusses how two similar films have portrayed representations of ethnic minorities. These representations are closely related to young people of the ‘ghetto’ with both City of God and La Haine having protagonists from run down areas of their countries. The characters in the films are mostly black youngsters and carry out a number of criminal activities like drug dealing, having possession of a gun, violence etc. This reinforces stereotypes of black people and teenagers as well of being a disobedient towards the law as the film shows the black characters antagonise the police. In addition, the article says both film’s characters refer to each other using racial banter just like what we witness in hip hop with the use of racial words only for a different context. It argues that people from ethnic minorities often do this to celebrate their difference from the rest of society. Furthermore, in City of God police abuse their authority by stealing from people and killing innocent people no matter their age. This heavily links to the ‘black lives matter’ campaign being held in America because the police there are doing the same thing by taking people’s lives and people who are usually innocent have died.

YouTube

DJ Akademiks – ‘Detroit goon robs 2 people then tells black man “You good, I only rob white people”.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ympWHILiHjU

· Black male committing crimes
· Armed with two pistols attempts to rob two guys in their car
· Stole an Apple watch, rings, laptop
· Hit the victims with the gun and try to get away in car but has difficulty starting the car
· A bystander (black person) comes over to assist the thieve, not knowing of the events that had just occurred, by instructing him on how to start the car
· Thief points gun at the good Samaritan and tells them ‘even though I’m pointing the gun at you... you good. I only rob white people’
· He got arrested in his short escape

Akademiks is a YouTuber who publishes satirical commentary on topical social issues. His YouTube channel specialises in posting news on the latest stories in the hip hop World like rumours and stories about rappers in the game. This story he tells us shows a black male reinforcing the typical stereotypes society has formed on black people. He is explained to be violent, disobedient and racist which perfectly supports those ideologies of white people from middle to upper class which reflects negatively on black people as a whole. Moreover, the influence of hip hop could have swayed the beliefs of the thug especially because of the black lives matter campaign. This is because he may have generalised the behaviour of some white police officers with all white people so maybe has lost respect for them as a whole.

YouTube

DJ Akademiks – ‘ASAP Rocky under fire for “lets talk about black on black crime” comments.’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc8BeRI1tbY

· Rapper ASAP Rocky talks about how people who are for the black lives matter movement aren’t looking in the mirror at themselves
· He wants black people specifically to question whether they are against white people killing black people or if they want to abolish killing as a whole
· For example, when a police officer kills a black person there is a protest and ‘mixtapes’ are formed. But when its one black person killing another black person its a way of life (gangster/ghetto lifestyle)
· These rappers are the ones talking about killing others and glorify it but want to make songs about justice
· Specific rappers can only protest in a song without audiences questioning the artists
· If rappers aren’t reciting a party line like ‘F*** COPS’ or ‘Black Lives Matter’, then people may not respect the artists. They may feel the artist is betraying the black community or siding with the police. Also occurred with Kendrick Lamar

I side both with the people for the campaign and ASAP Rocky to an extent. I do believe these gangsters need to understand constantly killing people isn’t reflecting positively on black people as a whole. This is because these people are the ones reported in the news on a weekly basis trying to create a moral panic and reinforce white people of middle and upper class’ ideologies and beliefs on black people. Therefore, some of them form stereotypes of the ethnic minority in the US or UK and generalise it amongst all black people. So ASAP Rocky is right in a sense because black people need to show the World that they shouldn’t be feared because they have done nothing wrong. However, the fact that some black people are letting down the black community shouldn’t result in all black people being treated as criminals by the police and justice system. Its not right that police abuse their authority and are killing these innocent people. Therefore, some rappers feel the need to express their and the community’s emotion on the matter through songs. Artists like Kendrick Lamar and J Cole are known for giving black people a voice because they all feel the same on the injustice behaviour by the police. Also, I don’t believe artists like these two are being hypocritical because they don’t promote gun violence or glorify killing like most rappers do.

Thursday, 6 October 2016

Critical Investigation: Project Proposal

How does hip hop represent black people, with specific reference to the track 'Plug' by Rich the Kid?

Working title

To what extent are young people being influenced by hip hop music with reference to the song 'Plug' and artists like 'Rich the Kid; Playboi Carti; Kodak Black;'

Angle

Aren't youngsters exposed to a life of criminality when their favourite rap artists are criminals themselves? Are hip hop videos becoming even more explicit with content shown like drugs, women and violence and wouldn't it reinforce stereotypes, representations and ideologies of young people? Or aren't these rap videos a compressed film which portrays a way of living?

Hypothesis

Hip hop has a negative impact of black people as a whole because the music videos are explicit and reinforce ideologies created about them which has been generalised amongst black people for decades.

Linked production piece

MIGRAIN

Representation:

Negative representation of black people as they are portrayed in an over hyped manner suggesting they have had some intake of drugs - seen as the song is about it. This means that dominant ideologies of black people can be reinforced and would eventually be generalised with all of them meaning people's view would stay the same and not be challenged. Tesa Perkins' theory can be applied to infer some stereotypes may be true.
There is an obvious case of young people being motivated into becoming a criminal because the artists in the song are all young themselves. Therefore, this suggests rap music had a impact on their lives and now they have followed the foot steps of some of their favourite rappers. Despite this, these artists are making legitimate money from being in rap and this is what opinion leaders (news institutions) don't show their audiences.
Typical representations on display in a hip hop music video. The artists are showing off their luxurious items and money and at times it doesn't correlate with the lyrics of the song. This is deliberately done to emphasise their wealth and want the World to know about it. However, a major representation we would associate with hip hop music videos is the objectification of women which we don't see in the music video. So this slightly challenges the stereotype rap has on the way women are treated in the genre because they aren't shown wearing revealing clothes because they aren't shown at all. This is the reason why I don't believe it entirely challenges the stereotype because the artists probably would have objectified women if they were in the video
The artists are doing the representing in the music video. This is a self representation which shows the youngsters gloating about being criminals and the struggle they went through to become successful. In addition, the representation on display can be used to suggest these artists had nothing when growing up and no guidance to become successful through education for example.
Altogether, the representations are accurate of the artists and any other artists involved with 'trap' music. Ideologies of this genre would be reinforced due to the music video because of the narrative, lyrics and props in the video. However, it wouldn't be fair to generalise these representations with all young people as that would be a stubborn and outrageous claim.

Narrative:

The narrative is typical of a hip hop music video as it is about drugs being distributed to people. There isn't a major story line to the video but the one that does appear comes on screen whenever the chorus is being played. It is of Rich The Kid holding a bag (drugs inside) which will probably be given to his client. The chorus acts as an example of what these artists do to get the expensive assets they show off in each verse. Therefore, the chorus has a chronological order.
Some of the audience may be able to use uses and gratification theory personal identification so would be able to relate with the artists. This means that they may live a life of criminality by selling drugs or may have money or expensive cars like the artists in 'Plug'.
The setting of the trap music video is completely different in contrast with your common trap music video. This is because where it would normally be in a run down neighbourhood or a house party, we see the artists in a more lush area and in the narrative we see Rich The Kid go in an elevator of an apartment to the top floor. It has a pool which can immediately suggest the apartment is expensive.
The editing of the music video is common with a trap song. The key conventions of a trap music video would be the fast pace of transitions, sound effects. This is done to give the audience a realistic perspective of the artist's state of mind which would be the opposite to a sobered person. For example, the fast paced transitions can be used to suggest they can't really process what is taking place, everything seems to be a blur and there's too many things happening at once.
The camera movement is also fast to increase the hype for the song and remind the audience about the purpose of the song which is to become successful in anyway possible. The use of the close up on each artists when they begin their verse is simply used to show audiences the central image and who to focus on. This is important because new listeners want to know who's verse is approaching so they can ready their selves to enjoy a verse

Institution:

The music video was distributed on YouTube by the famous hip hop music channel, WorldStarHipHop. The channel now has 3 million subscribers compared to the 2.9 million at the time of writing up my research. This is a significant increase over that short period of time which shows the popularity of the channel. Therefore, it would give 'Plug' a good amount of listeners for the song to become global which it has with 18.6 million viewers. The channel is reliable for distribution as this isn't the only example of a song that's been a hit as this one of many popular music videos.
In addition, MexikoDro created the beat to the song. He is a producer from Atlanta who has established himself through Sound Cloud and YouTube. We would assume he is a low key producer which he is and that he has little experience of working in the industry professionally. This is because he publishes his work on services without professional artists creating lyrics to go over it. Therefore, it implies the music industry allows people to break through and become successful not matter their academic achievements.
WorldStarHipHop is also responsible for uploading other hip hop songs which are new. They usually are trap songs which is affiliated with drugs, sex, violence and has a more aggressive style of approach. In addition, the YouTube channel releases songs exclusive to the channel so works as a tool for synergy to attract an audience to the same distributor which can significantly increase the hype for songs
Social media works as a perfect platform for distribution of this song and others similar to it. This is because its free to advertise the song using this method so wouldn't cost the artists much as the only institution that would need to be tackled would be the social networking site. For example, Instagram is a way for the artists to advertise a new release which is ideal because their fans would be able to be informed immediately about it and can buy or download the song.
WorldStarHipHop: the owner of the channel is Lee O'denat

Genre:

The genre the song belongs to is hip hop which fits under the category of trap. The phrase 'trap' originates from southern America which can be analysed through connotation as well as denotation. The simple meaning of trap could be the struggle black people (specifically) face of trying to escape the ghetto. In addition, the deeper meaning could be the unfortunate circumstance these people face and the standard of living. Drugs, violence are some of the problems about living in 'trap' areas like Atlanta Georgia because these people see it as a way of protecting themselves. Therefore, the song does perfectly fit well with the situation it's audiences are in.
The props from the music video is expected of a hip hop music video. They are showing off their expensive garments and assets as a whole. For example, the 'flexing' of the Jordans suggests the artists are rich are able to buy luxury goods. Tess Perkins theory can be used to state some stereotypes are positive because these artists have put in work to have the fortune to pay for expensive items
Something that is unique about this song is that women aren't really being objectified by the artists like other hip hop music videos do. In the video we don't see any women dancing half nakedly because there is no presence of a woman. This immediately would infer the song will be about something more serious or about the artist's lives because they don't want the audience's attention to be distracted by the women. It also subverts the stereotype of women being portrayed as sex freaks which was formed decades ago with the introduction of rappers from groups like N.W.A and Mobb deep.
The artists fit the image of a rapper because they are young black people who are wealthy. Also, the style of rap has changed over the years which is a lot less clearer lyrically but is becoming the norm. Rich The Kid for example has a fast flow but people would find themselves having to research what he is saying in his songs at times.
The setting subverts an audiences expectation of a song like this. This is because we would associate hip hop with drugs and run down neighbourhoods.

Language and forms:

Denotation comes from the expensive items the artists show off with. No surprise with this as its expected of a hip hop music video
The main connotation comes from the title of the song 'Plug' which is a person from the trap who sells drugs. This is important to understand before listening to the song because the artists are constantly referring to the phrase.
Non verbal gestures is similar to other trap music videos. For example, the artists use gun signs and use the infamous 'dab' - dance.
The setting of the song is Atlanta Georgia which is a place where the artists are all familiar with. Its the location where some rappers currently live or chill because the rap game is popular there.
Use of the phone is a typical stereotype of youngster's addiction to technology. These artists probably use the phone for connecting with friends and clients.

Values and ideologies:

Dominant ideologies of black people being reinforced. This would be their association with violence, criminal behaviour and rap as a whole.
Dominant ideologies of youth being reinforced. This would be the constant use of the phone and their joy of gloating and boasting about their expensive items
The preferred reading of the song would be positive because its what people who enjoy this type of music want and expect
Values may be changed due to the the lyrics outlining how to become successful through criminal activity
Ideologies of rap may slightly change because of the irrelevance of women in the video

Audiences:

Target audience for the song would be young people from the age 16 to 27
Black people would probably be targeted too because they may be able to relate to the artist's lives more - personal identification
Audiences can use the song for pleasure. For example, people can use it to dance to and upload to social media which they have done. Some people make money from posting videos of themselves dancing to songs like Plug for money
The song wasn't published for the purpose of 'personal identification' as it can be for people like me who like the song.
People who would want to listen to the song would know to check WorldStarHipHop for the official song. This is just shows the connection the channel and the audience have constructed over this time.

SHEP

'Black Lives Matter'. This is a campaign that has been generated over the past year because of the increasing numbers of injustice killings by police (mainly in America) on African Americans. It was created to create awareness and because black people of America were frustrated with the killings inflicted on their people. Hip hop has also attempted to make itself recognised through the artists recording songs stressing their's and other people's pain. Artists like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole are the rap artists who try to be influential and display the perspective of inferior ideologies which has given black people a voice.

Influences of this song however shows the consequence of inequality. This means that black people feel as if they aren't being treated fairly so are more likely to break the law and these artists are doing this according to the lyrics through their use and selling of drugs. Trap artists in general rap about different pleasures and illegal activity which people usually listen to so they can vibe to the song.

Hip Hop in the past is similar to rap nowadays when considering the lyrics of these songs. A song like 'fuck the police - N.W.A' can be related to a song like 'fuck Donald Trump - G Eazy, Macklemore'. Both songs attempt to challenge the political system and people within it because they believe their rights were/are being breached which is evident with the numerous mysterious killings by police officers on black people both then and now.

The methods of distribution of songs have altered in the past decade for sure because of the rise in new and digital media. This has led to easier and free ways of audiences being able to obtain music they want through illegal downloading websites which has meant these artists aren't making as much money as they would in the past. However, it could play into the artist's hands because their fan base could increase significantly because audiences would be able to listen to their music for free and if they enjoy it may attend the artist's concerts or buy albums. Furthermore, I don't believe it would affect these musicians that much because some could suggest they make their biggest profits through their illegal activities rather than the music industry. It is probably used a source for recognition and extra money.

People of upper, middle classes are absolutely against hip hop because the impact it has on society. They are afraid young people will be influenced by the lyrics and music videos produced by rappers because it is inappropriate and degrades all kind of people. Most specifically the way women act in rap music videos is an unrealistic representation of them which can have an impact of the ways young males and females think of themselves.

Hip hop songs are usually uploaded to WorldStarHipHop which is a YouTube channel that mainly publishes trap music. This is because these artists are usually low key or upcoming so need the recognition WSHH can give them.

Newspapers try their best to reinforce stereotypes (right wing) of black people by using rap and the impact it has on people. For example, they may refer back to hip hop when delivering a news story. They want their preferred reader to maintain their dominant ideologies of certain groups of people and this links back the hypodermic needle model because people believe what they the media spoon feed them.

Issues/debates

Representation/stereotype:

The representation of black people
The representation of youth
Stereotype of police
Stereotype of hip hop artists

Media effects:

Impact trap music has audiences
Impact the trap music has on youth specifically
The impact the new style of rap is having on rap community

Moral panic:

News institutions would want to influence it's audience into believing the hip hop industry is having a negative impact on society and children
Theory like the hypodermic needle model can be utilised
The association between black people and crime

Ownership and control:

Artists are challenging against piracy
Audiences are able to download music for free through illegal websites
Low key rappers have a better chance of becoming successful because of the increase in digital media

Media technology and the digital revolution:

Music can be distributed on more platforms
Low key rappers are able to emerge into the hip hop industry
The sound of hip hop has changed now compared to when rap first began because of the increase in technology - auto-tune

Theories

Semiotics:

The denotation in hip hop comes mainly from the lyrics. An example of this would be 'Plug' which can have different meanings. This is where the creativity would come from in the song as people who do understand the meaning would be able to establish the meaning for each of their verses or the chorus. The connotation could be the deeper meaning of the phrase repeatedly used by the artists.

Gender and ethnicity:

The artists don't outline their ethnicity but they specifically outline where they come from in America. This is because they are gangsters and want to represent where they are all staying. Therefore, this can have a impact on the representation of black people as they are portrayed to be criminals.

Marxism and hegemony:
The division of classes shows the difference in the way black people are treated.

Audience theories:

The hypodermic needle model can be used to suggest the news influences it's audience

Genre theories:

Rap has slightly changed when considering the quality of artists but the meaning has stayed the same.

Research plan

Media text:

The main text will be on the hip hop song 'Plug' by Rich the Kid feat. Playboi carti & Kodak Black

Other media texts:

Madeintyo 'Jerry Stackhouse'
Madeintyo 'Uber everywhere'
Kodak Black 'Like Dta'
Big Will 'What you Mean'
21 Savage 'X'
Madeintyo 'I want'

TV documentaries:

Link Up TV. This releases music videos and other type of videos of rap artists
Police brutality. The documentary shows how the law enforcement abuse their authority.

Academic texts/books:

Dennis Rome 'Black Demons' - Negative deception of African Americans
Jeff Chang 'Can't stop won't stop: a history of the hip hop generation' - the way to become successful in hip hop

Internet Links: