Wiley ft Daniel Merriweather- Cash In My Pocket

Codes and Conventions used in this Video: Grime/Hip-Hop Music Video

Performers/Performance

Rapping about success

Tracking Shot

(Editing)

A Concept

Angry/’Tough’

Facial Expression

Construction/Content

Through the lyrics of the song heard in the video, it is evident that the song discusses the desire of money. The workers perform the song as opposed to the artists, which therefore travels away from the conventions of a hip-hop video. The workers are from the ‘financial’ district of Bishops gate in London, which has a direct link with the lyrics of the crave for money. As this includes ordinary workers, this may enhance the fact that the song relates to the economic bust at the time of the production of this video, making it more relatable to the public and providing the public a chance to empathise with a hip-hop artist’s beliefs. This is emphasized with the conceptual aspect of the whole video being one continuous shot, which exudes realism, making it relatable to the English public.

Wide shot of all performers sing along to the song

Camera WorkIn the beginning of the video, there is a low angle shot of the ‘The Gherkin’ building in London representing two men looking up at it. A long angle shot shows intimidation, whereby the two men seemed to be in awe of the building. This connects with the notion of the song with people wanting money, therefore the Gherkin building may symbolise this, as the building represents wealth.

Two medium shots of the workers performing song

A low angle shot of 30 St Mary Axe (The

Gherkin)

In most shots of one performer lip syncing to the lyrics, the rule of thirds is used, whereby the performer is always in the middle (the second third section). This directs the audience to the most important aspect of the video- the workers lip syncing.

Editing

The whole video was captured in one take, which is an unconventional aspect to have in a Hip Hop/Grime music video. However, this gives off a sense of realism, which makes it relatable to a wide audience. This subverts the stereotypical conventions of Hip-Hop videos whereby the artists commonly sing about their success, instead, this video consists of office workers performing as opposed to the artist himself, to provide the audience with an opportunity to identify with the song and video.

A wide shot of two workers by two door A wide shot of many workers lip syncing to the song

Mise-en-scene

These elements work together to subvert the general conventions of a Hip Hop/Grime video. Smart clothing is associated with middle class work and an office is commonly associated with working 9am-5pm hours. These two aspects of the video subvert the ordinary conventions of a Hip-Hop/Grime music video, and therefore make it more relatable to individuals in a society where money is essential.

A low angle shot of 30 St Mary Axe (The

Gherkin)

Wide shot of three workers performing the song

This skyscraper is commonly associated with finance and is known to be one of London’s most modern architecture. In general, Hip-Hop videos tend to boast about their success and money, however in contrast, although this building radiates high class and status, the intention of showing the building is to look to something to aspire to, rather than empathise with, which links with the desire for money theme in this song.

Representations

The main representation shown in this music video is workers being playful as they lip sync to a Hip-Hop/Rap song. Not only does this representation subvert the dominant representations shown in Hip-Hop/Rap music videos, it also subverts the representations associated with financial workers. Dominant representations of financial workers are that they are wealthy, pretentious and serious, however, this music video does the complete opposite, as even the stereotypical financial workers desire more money.

Wide shot of workers at a desk lip-syncing to the song

Wide shot of worker surrounded by balloons

Is the video a performance, narrative or conceptual video? Is it a hybrid? Explain your answer.

I believe that this music video is a hybrid of performance and concept.

The performance aspect of this music video is shown by the workers performing the lyrics. Although performing adheres to Hip Hop/Grime videos, this video subverts the conventions of Hip-Hop/Grime genre as the artist is not in the video himself, instead, business workers are performing the song, showing that it can link with many different social/culture groups in society, not only the stereotypical Hip-Hop/Grime artists and listeners.

The concept feature of this music video is that this video is all in one take with office workers performing to the camera. This challenges the conventions of a Hip Hop/Grime video, as one take without different shots or editing technique links with a sense of realism, and makes the message easily relatable to a wider range of audiences, as opposed to the common convention seen in Hip-hop/Grime videos of rare and abundant success.

A wide shot of workers at a desk lip syncing A medium long shot of performers following the camera