CB: Music Video Analysis 3

Pound the Alarm (Nicki Minaj, 2012)



Representation

Nicki Minaj is represented as a "sexual magnet" through the use of MCU's focusing on her feminine assets. For example, when she appears wearing a gemmed bra, her cleavage is made present purposely for the male gaze.

When applying Dyers critical framework, it is evident that she has a semi-mythological set of meanings constructed around her star image. Star qualities such as youthfulness and rebellion are highlighted through the manipulation of burlesque style feathers and carnival type atmosphere, which position her to fit in with the stereotypical teenage pop genre audience.

 



The incoherence of Nicki's star image ensures that audiences continually try to work out her style, as her identity is constantly absent with the bleach blonde wig and use of make up such as false eyelashes. She is further absent within the video as she looks away from the camera and closes her eyes which breaks the fourth wall connection with the audience.

 





Her star image is further represented as metonymic, with Nicki stood next to a male singer on a higher platform which accentuates her star persona to be seen as desirable.

 

 

Social groups such as women are presented particularly as sexual objects within this video by the use of mise en scene. For example, all throughout the video they are wearing minimal clothing which consist of gemmed bras and knickers. This has been done because it allows their feminine assets to be highlighted; their skinny figures, boobs and bums which a female audience would aspire to have and male audience to stare at.

 

 

Women are also sexualised through camera angles which magnify their feminine assets. For example, a CU of two women's bums grinding against each other is shown for male satisfaction.

 

A dominant ideological discourse of women is present within the video as they are typically objectified for the intention of the opposite sex.