ill Manors music video analysis

Media Forms

How is it typical of a music video?

The use of the various settings is very typical for music videos and the constant transition from setting to setting is something that is commonly seen in music videos and especially within the rap and hip hop genre. The use of these settings create audience interest and also complement the fast pace of the beat, editing and cinematography. Also, music videos are usually quite arbitrary within the locations, such as being on a rooftop, in the beginning and then in a car park; they don't need to make sense in reality but they would usually perfectly align with the music video itself - the idea of Plan B smoking on the rooftop could suggest the rebellious society and how these 'poor people' do what they please; it may also be ironically used as a rooftop is the highest point on a building and we would typically associate the lower class with the bottom rather than the top, so perhaps Plan B is trying to highlight the fact that underprivileged people can also reach the top and he is an example of this. This is a message that could be subtly suggested through the use of the music video and alongside the lyrics, which is also a typical convention of these sorts of videos as there are motifs within and a typical theme and thread throughout.

In this case the message of the 'concrete jungle' and how society is uncivilised is explored through the song. Plan B's opening bar is 'let's all go on an urban safari;' the idea of an urban safari conjures up ideas of animals and the wild, which could highlight the fact that society is uncivilised and wild, almost like a jungle.

The use of direct address is prominent throughout the video as Plan B's rather sarcastic performance is directly addressed at the viewer. The lyrics of the song are deep and meaningful, humouring the idea of the class system and the stereotypes revolving around them. As the viewer, we are more engaged within a video if we feel as though we are directly spoken to, which makes the video all the more powerful and all the more captivating.

What this particular video does in an interesting and rather unique way however, is that it uses this sort of 2D graphical element, quite animated - which could again be a sarcastic approach to the whole concept of the song as Plan B is humouring the class system. This could also represent how society labels young people in today's society and the use of the black youth labelled as a 'chav,' reinforces this idea.

The costume represents urban life and the youth culture; the use of the hoods, tracksuit bottoms and caps highlights the accustomed stereotype of youths. Also the fact that they are associated with the estate is a negative representation of council estates and closely associates the word chav with coucil estates - 'oi look there's a chav, that means council housed and violent' - the sort of acrostic take here is another sarcastic approach to the negative stereotypes as Council Housed And Violent spell out the word 'chav.' The fact that Plan B makes it clear and reveals the message on screen makes Plan B's satire explicit to the audience. This subverts the typical music video as we would not expect to see an almost playful sort of aspect to the video when the subject matter at hand is as deep and important as it is.

In addition to this, the fast paced editing of the montage is a key convention of music videos. The fact that it breaks the rules of continuity editing is typical for music videos as we would expect to see the video simultaneously follow the beat of the song.

Media Representations

How does it represent the London riots/rioters?

A negative representation of London is presented as such a chaotic event is being presented here, which stereotypes London as being a uncivilised city. The rioters are all seen as young people, which again produces a negative representation of young people and therefore confirms the stereotype that young people are rebels and violent. The use of the propaganda; the real life footage from the riots, causes audiences to stereotype the city of London in a negative way.

The use of the police becoming violent reveals an alternative representation of the police as we would typically associate the police to be humane citizens of a country yet by revealing the negativity of the police force and the harsh reality of it, it shows the London police to be corrupted and therefore supports Perkins idea that stereotypes can be changed. The mise-en-scene of the police uniform is associated with authority and dominance, however as we see mid way through the music video, the policeman hits the young person with his baton, revealing the violence within the police force. Furthermore, the fact that all of the people showed within the riots were wearing hoods and tracksuits and the characters behind Plan B within the video were wearing similar clothes relates the youth culture with rebellious behaviour. This therefore represents costume in a negative way as audience members would confirm the stereotype that young people in a hood are dangerous.

The use of the fire within the real life footage of the riots and then again with Plan B as he sets a car on fire, creates the link between the youth and havoc. Fire already has rather violent and negative connotations, connoting danger, which would conjure up thoughts of the rioters being quite dangerous themselves. This therefore reinforces the stereotype that young people are dangerous. This also supports Medhursts theory as the audience can immediately link the idea of youths to the riots.

In addition to this, the setting of London is seen in a rather dark light as the audience see nothing more than council estates and the London riots. The fact that Plan B has deliberately not shown the audience any beautiful parts of London makes non-British, non-London residents question the city as it is revealed negatively rather than positively. The fact that the most negative extreme has been shown, reveals Plan B's motive of the film and of his message as we are aware that this song is sarcastically portraying urban life in the most stereotypical way possible.

Media Audiences

What audience pleasures does the music video offer?

The music video was released as a protest video to create awareness about council estate youths and how they are not dangerous thugs. The 'Uses and Gratifications Theory' would be prominent here as the audience are active. They would choose how to respond to this particular music video due to the controversy of the subject matter, some audience members would watch the video simply because they like Plan B as an artist and like the way his music sounds and would therefore use it for pleasure rather than for educational purposes. Whilst other audience members may be influenced by the powerful message that Plan B aims to emit and these audience member would therefore want to watch this video as it provides them with an information and meaning.

In terms of gratifications, an audience member would find this video increasingly enjoyable to watch due to the humour presented within due to the satire that Plan B aims to present throughout the video. In addition to this, the use of the cinematography and editing is also very captivating and fast paced, which would therefore interest an audience as they would enjoy watching such a thrilling video. Furthermore, the use of the animations also make the video different from the usual music video and would therefore be enjoyable to watch.

In terms of education and providing information to a viewer, Plan B says that 'Ill Manors says if you stereotype people as socially worthless then they will grow into those stereotypes.' This links to Dyer's theory as he also states that the stereotype becomes accepted by the person and the group. The fact that Plan B wants to make a difference and is actively working to make a difference, shows that his music is more than just music so the use of the London riots and the council estates and the lower working classes reveals the whole idea of these stereotypes and how they are alienated within society, within their own social group.

This video also helps audiences with social identity as youths are able to identify with the video and also understand the impact of stereotypes and how some youths have grown into their stereotype due to them feeling alienated and trapped. The audience viewer would predominantly be young adults and the youth demographic, therefore they would relate to the concept of the music video, even if they are not living in a council estate or from the working class background, all youths fall under the bracket of being youths. This therefore adds to the idea that the stereotype effects all youths and this is why they would relate to the concept of Plan B's video as it may not be something that effects the individual but it does effect the whole. The video also promotes anti-government as it is a protest song. They have counter hegemonic ideas as they are against the rich and need more equality within society. 

Media Institutions

How does the music video help to promote the film?

The music video and the film both act as a cross promotion as the video includes the characters within the film, producing synergy simultaneously. The fact that the song is called ill Manors and so is the film already creates the immediate link between the two and therefore acts as a cross promotion. Due to the characters being within the video, it again makes it clearer to the audience that this is part of the ill Manors film and would therefore promote the film.

Furthermore, the fact that Plan B is directly addressing the audience within the film makes the audience feel directed and also makes us understand that he is referring to us. The fact that Plan B is within his video also promotes the film as we are aware that he directed the actual film. The use of the same song being used over the film trailer, again promotes the film as there is a direct link between the two.

In addition to this, music lovers would see this video first, through social networking platforms and e-media, such as twitter. So fans of Plan B would initially watch this music video and therefore get to know about the film and would therefore want to support the artist and watch the film. This would be the same for film lovers as audience members may see the film first being promoted on twitter, instagram and other social networking platforms and would therefore find about the music video as the two interlock.

The use of print media for the film's poster would also catch the attention of many people as there would be billboards around, which would create exposure for the film. The use of other promotional techniques such as through broadcast media, would help promote both the music and the film itself. Furthermore, on sites such as YouTube, the music video would be easily accessible and a larger audience would be able to watch this video and therefore gain awareness about the film. The most typical way of people knowing about the music video and the film would be through word of mouth and the use of e-media such as twitter as the use of user generated content allows users to upload their thoughts about the video and inform others about the film too. As soon as a viewer comes across the music video it is inevitable that they will also be aware of the film also as the use of the synergy helps to promote the film in a positive way.

Soundtrack Research Task 

Record companies & institutions: 

Released by Atlantic Records. 

• Parent company is Warner Music Group 
• Distributor is Atlantic Records Group

Plan B is signed to: 

• Atlantic Records 
• 679 Artists 
• Mercury Records 
• Warner Bros. Records 
• Asylum Records 
• Cordless Recordings 

Sales/Downloads: 

The Ill Manors single was made free to download on the pre-order of the deluxe edition of the album. 

The album 

Music Reviews:

Received general acclaim for music critics. 

Metacritic gave the album an average score of 83/100; 

It became the first soundtrack to be nominated for the Mercury Prize 

NME have reviewed the album and said that "at times it's brutal, tactless and uncomfortable, but that's the price you pay for smashing up the hit factory." 

The Independent on Sunday, "This is one of the most exhilarating albums of the year"

RapReviews.com, "Ill Manors, depressing blunt and provocative, fulfills one of rap music's most noble tasks - to touch the sore spots"

Q magazine, "Drew's work is lyrically dense and confrontational, but the music is blissfully rich and specious. 

Drowned in Sound, "Ill Manors becomes less overtly political but no less vivid, as the remaining tracks depict in gruesome detail the dismal lives of London's underclass"

Fan Reviews: 

On YouTube there are a range of comments from fans and also not from fans; majority of the reviews are positive. The ill Manors music video itself has over 7 million views and only 1,700 dislikes. The message the Plan B gets across is appreciated by fans as they understand what Plan B wants to share - the harsh reality.