Ill manors: music video

How is it typical of a music video?

The music video is a hip-hop protest song which stars Plan B and was released by Atlantic Records. The music video uses some codes and conventions which a typical music video uses, this is shown by the use of camera work-use of close-ups and using a montage to show lots of different aspects of things related to the movie. The music video uses fast-paced cuts to match the rhythm of the song which is very electric and upbeat. The cuts are edited quickly to reinforce the rhythm of the song, also footage from the London riots which took place in 2011 is used. This creates a montage and like other music videos this promotes a message about how the working class are not seen as significant is society and ultimately they resort to violence.

Plan B's music video is significant is embracing the idea of spectacle and using 'direct mode of address.' This is important because Plan B is using direct mode of address to help educate the youth about how society should involve everyone, yet lecture the youth about standing up for their position in society but in the right approach. The music video visually represents how Plan B is standing up for the working class, as he himself comes from the same background, and wants an end to the working class not being provided enough opportunities. In the song itself one lyric states: "Who closed the community centre? I used to kill time there." The lyric suggests how the government are closing down opportunities which may encourage the youth to stay off the streets and avoid being in trouble. By the government taking these opportunities down the youth have nothing to resort to but violence. The use of this is to help Plan B justify the actions of why the youth get into trouble, especially with the London Riots.

Also, the soundtrack is a form of promotion for the movie "Ill Manors" and gives the audience insight on the themes involved in the movie, the main theme being violence. The song itself incorporates many ideas from typical music videos, particularly using camera work. Close-ups are used of Plan B to help enhance his star image and inform the viewer about his success, even though Plan B may have previously faced legal trouble he uses the Ill Manors music videos to express his thoughts on society (typically the government). However, this music video challenges typical music videos because this song was written as a protest, as well as for entertainment purposes. It presents how the working class are seen as damaged and corrupt. Typically, hip-hop music videos promote the ideal lifestyle through the use of flashy cars, women and alcohol but because this is a protest song it focuses on how the working class are portrayed not so much the lifestyle they want to carry out. 

How does it represent the London riots/rioters?

The media in general present the rioters as negative and as a result their image of being corrupt is reinforced through the music video especially when it shows people fighting each other and Plan B is in front of them still rapping. It also shows how there are no role models in society as the youth are easily influenced. However, because this song is a protest song which demands for immediate change it demonstrates how society will adapt to the working class because the music video is very confrontational. This links to the theorist Medhurst who argued about stereotypes being short-hand and as a result of the video glamorizing violence it's expected that society makes changes before the working oppose a bigger threat to society.

In addition, the music video represents males more to be associated with violence. There are very few females in this video, Plan B intended to represent males more to advocate how males are the focal gender who are associated with violence, especially in the London riots. Ethnicity also plays a huge role, along with age, because the music video focuses on white, black and mix people who are between the ages 16-24. Plan B used this target audience as the film is based upon the London riots.

Plan B's main aim is to show the perception of "society's failure to nurture to disadvantaged youth" and ultimately the music video employs this message by showing how the working class are disregarded in society as politicians in particular focus on the upper/middle classes. It could be argued that Plan B was justifying the actions of the rioters because the "disadvantaged youth" who appear to be from a working class background have no voice in society. The rioters appear to be making an attack on politicians in particular. This demonstrates how this song is a reaction to the 2011 riots and it sarcastically attacks the media's view of the working class, especially the ring-wing tabloids such as 'The Sun' and 'Daily Mail' who present the rioters as a threat to society when in reality violence is the only thing they can resort to because there are not a wide variety of  opportunities.

What audience pleasures does it offer?

The key theme used throughout this music video is violence, along with the video promoting a sense of freedom. Generally, hip-hop songs are a way to express one's feelings through rhyming words and this song perfectly demonstrates Plan B expressing his feelings about the London riots.The chorus in particular is a chant with the lyrics: "Oi! I said oi!
What you looking at, you little rich boy!" This suggests how the song takes pleasure in attacking the upper classes. People from the working classes and who live in the suburban areas of London may find a voyeur and enjoy looking at those upper classes as important.

Moreover, the video shows the characters as breaking the rules and going against many norms of society.Politics is the main topic mentioned throughout and David Cameron and Nick Clegg, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, both feature in the video, despite not being mentioned in the lyrics. However, Cameron's "Hug a Hoodie" campaign is alluded to. This ultimately would attract teenagers making it appear that they can talk about anything as freely as they would like to. Although Plan B's intentions were to help the working class's voices be heard, this music video appears that the characters are only reinforcing their negative stereotype in society rather than making th appear as protesters. 

The demographic for the music video focuses along the D and E group as this relates to the young, unemployed teenagers in the music video. The video presents these teenagers acting violent and established in a council estate area making the audience interpret the actors are from the struggler and reformer categories. This video appeals to strugglers because they are the ones being represented and reformers are attracted to this because the video itself is a protest from class equality and ultimately reformers would agree with the song because teenagers need opportunities to prevent them from rioting. 

How does the video help promote the film? 

The music video was created to help raise awareness about the voices not being heard in society. The upper classes are describes as living luxurious lifestyles with good jobs whereas the D/E demographic are usually associated with thugs, violence and badly behaved people. Plan B himself grew up in a council estate before he rose to fame so it's only natural that he wants change for those who are discriminated. The concept for both the movie and video are the same as they both indulge in the theme of violence. They both use a narrative to describe real-life situations.

Also, synergy is created because Plan B is associated with releasing both the music video and the film. The music video was released by Plan B's record company Atlantic Records and Plan B also directed the movie himself. This helps Plan B to enhance his brand identity because of his forms to promote and market the film. Plan B is the main star focus in the music video were he makes his presence known, whereas in the film he only makes a short cameo appearance which helps the audience know that's his mark of success.