Class Analysis: Jay Z - 99 Problems

Genre Characteristics: Hip Hop/Rap

• Guns (criminal activity),
• Balaklavas,
• Graffitis,
• Suitcase of money/drugs in the boot of the car (x-ray shot),
• Police search,
• Mainly black cast/race tensions,
• Run down urban area, Brooklyn,
• Girls in bikinis,
• Baseball cap/baggy jeans/hoodie,
• Bling,
• Street dancing.

Intertextual Reference

• Rick Ruben; founder of Def Jam Records,
• Lots of close ups of Jay Z,
• Recrod shop scene; emphasising musical intergrity,
• Low angle shot of Jay Z; makes him seem powerful puts the audience in awe of him,
• Exit signs pop up through out-recurring motif,
• Recurring use of the diamond throughout; reference to Rock Nation, promoting others on the lable as well as himself,
• Vayeristic treatment of women but very few shots of women (less than expected); amplifies the message of the song that he has lots of problems but (bitch ain't one).

Other:

Black and White (editing)

• Urban, dull and gritty,
• Reflects the poverty of the area,
• Reflects the themes and tone of the song,
• Screen within screen (looking).