Ill Manors music video

 

Media Forms
How is it typical of a music video? 

This is typical of a music video because several techniques have been used to fulfill the conventions of a music video. For example, the use of fast-paced editing makes sure there is constant movement in the music video which is typical of mainstream music videos because it gets the audience engaged and increases their interest. In terms of editing it could be argued however that this music video is actually quite experimental as it merges graphics with the actual clips of videos which is not done often in mainstream music videos.

The video is also a montage, which is typical, and this allows a theme to run through the entire music video (Street violence, rioters, gangs). The music video also hints at the theme around the film, as the music video is subtly advertising the film. The fact that the music video has the same name as the film suggests to the audience that it may have the same concept running through the film as the music video. 

The fact that it is also filmed in several settings and locations is typical of a music video. This helps the audience to see a council estate from different views, and can be linked to the recklessness of the residents of these council estates as they are seen in a car park fighting etc. This creates enigma codes as the narrative is still not quite clear, but one thing the audience do know is that it is a dangerous place to live in.

Media Representations
How does it represent the London riots/rioters?

The music video represents the London riots/rioters in a negative light as several clips of the riots that have been merged into the music video suggest that London is in fact quite a corrupt and dangerous city full of yobs. This is quite ironic as Plan B is trying to change this image of teenagers yet he still reinforces the negative stereotypes of the young people. The music video as a whole is an alternative representation of London as it is usually represented as quite a safe and and civilized city. 

The music video also creates a division between the rich and the poor, with the term "Rich boys" constantly being used which belittles the authorities. The video also suggests that the people in the government should actually be subordinate to the members of the public as some clips suggest that the rage of the public is empowering them over the government. By merging actual clips of the riots such as the police officers attacking members of the public reinforces this alternative representation of the government being dangerous and corrupt rather than being there to protect the public, therefore indicating to the audience that there actually is a reason to feel rage towards the government as they are not doing anything for the poor or those who are less better off. 


Media Audiences
What audience pleasures does the music video offer?


The music video offers several pleasures which allows the audience to be engaged when watching the video. For example, the use of cameos of actors, clips from the news and political ideologies makes the audience feel as if their knowledge is being rewarded. 

The music video can also reach out to much of the audience on a more personal level. For example, some members of the audience may be able to identify themselves within the concept of the video and lyrics because they may also be as frustrated as Plan B is and can relate to his view on the issue, and other members of the audience may use the music video as a form of gaining awareness and information on the issue of the London Riots from a different perspective as several clips from the news have been inserted into the music video (Katz and Blumler theory on uses and gratifications).

The ambiguity of the music video can also be seen as an audience pleasure to the audience. The fact that the characters appear in the actual music video rather than showing the different clips of the movie will make the audience gain interest as they still are unaware of what the film is actually about and this will make them want to watch it for themselves.

Media Institutions
How does the music video help to promote the film?

The music video helps to promote the film in various ways. For instance the use of cameos of the characters of ill Manors i.e. Chris creates synergy between the film and the music video through their settings and costumes etc. This makes the audience question if they are playing the roles of their characters or whether they are presented as their true selves and they support Plan B's movement. 

The fact that the music video has the same concept as the film suggests that it was created to gain public attention. By posting the music video on social media networks such as Youtube will allow it to be easily shared and gain more interest from the audience to make them want to watch the film. Plan B himself being in the music video and being the director of the film allows cross-promotion to take place. Members of the audience who were already his fans will most likely want to watch the film, and those who are unaware of Plan B will want to check out his music once they realise that an inexperienced director/rapper actually filmed iLL Manors.


Ill Manors Soundtrack Research

The record companies/institutions behind Plan B:

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

Sales/downloads for the soundtrack: 

Ill Manors peaked at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart on 1 April 2012. The track was also made available as a free download on pre-order of the deluxe edition of the album (Wikipedia)

Fan's and critic reviews:

Review 1) "Whether you like his music or not, fair play to the guy for actually writing songs that say something about society and trying to get younger people thinking about current issues. Most music these days is so bland and corporate. Popstars convey nothing in their songs in the modern era except how much money they have or how many chicks they've bedded. Music used to inspire the young to rise up and challenge the establishment..."

Review 2) "I find this a bizarre song. I can't fathom whether he is glamourising or satirising youth violence? The sentiment of the video seems to be aiming to cement class divisions by valorizing last year's riots as:

a) a valid way for alienated and disenfranchised youths to vent their frustrations
b) placing the blame for the violence, or the conditions that prompted it, squarely on others: 'rich boys' 'the police' 'politicians' etc
c) portraying people who are from council estates, urban areas and poorer backgrounds as essentially and qualitatively different to the rest of society - and proud because of it

I'm confused though. The aim of the song also seems to want to debunk the above observations. And surely, a true progressive (which I am not sure Plan B is) would want to say no one person from any socio-economic background is essentially different to another, they are just cultured into certain ways of being or imbricated into certain situations by a combination of chance and choice"

I have picked these two reviews on the iLL Manors music video because they have conflicting views, with review 1 praising Plan B for creating music that raises awareness on the issues that are having to be faced by many today while review 2 goes into depth and asks whether Plan B is glamourising the youth violence as portrayed in the music video.

In terms of music reviews: 

1. Metacritic: 83/100
2. Rotten Tomatoes: 79%