Textual Analysis: Empire State of Mind

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During our lesson today, we were given a task to deconstruct the music video of Jay-Z and Alicia Keys': 'Empire State of Mind'.
Click here to watch the music video

To begin our task, we viewed the music video four times:

First viewing: we had to discuss our thoughts and observations
Second viewing: note down individual observations and the meaning we think is created in the video
Third viewing: note down connotations and discuss how meaning is constructed in the music video

After watching it for the last time, we had to choose three heading and note down three observations for each - I chose: connotation/symbolism, narrative, camera angles, mise-en-scene and genre:

*written in note form from my notebook*
CONNOTATION/SYMBOLISM:
‣ Brooklyn Bridge: a connection to Jay-Z's past and present life; where he came from and where he is now
‣ Title (Empire State of Mind): "Empire State" + "State of Mind"
‣ Red stairs: shows his success/fame; could also refer to the red carpet

NARRATIVE:
‣ Jay-Z looking out of a window (the window could symbolise a barrier) + Empire State building
‣ Video starts of black and white, slowly progresses to colour
‣ At the end of the video, Jay-Z throws a gesture (like the Statue of Liberty [New York])

CAMERA ANGLES:
‣ Low shots (symbolise Jay-Z's past; was still unsuccessful)
‣ Aerial shots of New York (establishing how he has "made it to the top")
‣ Close-ups (of Jay-Z's face)
‣ Dutch-angles

MISE-EN-SCENE
‣ Jay-Z rapping in the streets; to rapping in a large building
‣ Alicia Keys in Times Square playing on the grand piano
‣ Whenever they sing the lyric "New York", aerial shots are shown
‣ Goes from the streets to city; poor to rich; plain to fancy (a lifestyle change)

GENRE
‣ Jay-Z + Alicia Keys = mix between Rap and R'n'B  (binary opposites)
‣ Classical; piano

To conclude, the song glorifies Jay-Z's success in life and how he is not forgetting his roots - he is also not dreaming about what New York has to offer because he already has it.


About The Author

An ENFP who happens to be an aspiring globe-trotter with a love for art, music and iced coffee. Trying to be pretty alright at everything.

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