Research for Music Video: Analysing costume, setting and location

COSTUME, SETTING & LOCATION

In this post, I will be focusing on how the use of costume, props and locations differ in certain genres.

Hip Hop:

Rich Gang - Lifestyle ft. Young Thug & Rich Homie Quan

Within this music video there are various locations and costume changes. The costume changes consist of designer clothing as well as different jewellery each time. This gives off the impression that the artist as well as those in the video are wealthy which is typical of the hip-hop/rap genre. This links to the lyrics as they rap about living a lifestyle they always dreamed about. In addition to this, there are many prestigious locations such as the mansion, on a yacht, in the streets driving luxurious vehicles and on a private jet. There are also base tracks of the performers in run down area's otherwise known as the 'hood' as well as in a shoe store. The purpose of these not so luxurious locations is to show their transition from living in poverty to being wealthy which is spoken about in the lyrics. 

Hardcore:

Sleeping With Sirens - If You Can't Hang

In this video, the band are positioned on a stage in the normal structure a rock/hardcore band would be in. There is one location in this video and no costume changes. The location is a stage and the room is dark with few lights shining from the back of the performers. Furthermore, their clothes are quite simple, consisting of black t-shirts, black jackets, black tank tops and black jeans with the lead singer wearing a US National flag t-shirt, making him stand out, reinforcing the idea that he's the main performer. The dark clothes and dark setting is common of the hardcore genre due to the 'dark', furious and depressing themes of the music.

Electronic (Trap):

Keys N Krates - I Just Can't Deny

This video opens with the performers walking through backstage onto the main stage as the music slowly begins. Once the tempo of the song increases, they're performing on stage, with shots of the crowd jumping and dancing to the energetic music. They're at what seems to be a day festival which is typical of electronic music videos, where the DJ is on stage and the crowd is going wild. There are no costume changes and the clothes are simple, which makes the main focal point the energetic music.