Rap Video Evolution

1990s brings...

2Pac's "I Get Around" (1993)
Director: David Dobkin

CONTEXT: Everyone calls him 2Pac but his real name is Tupac Shakur and was with Interscope records from 1991-1996. He is truly iconic.

CONTENT: 2Pac and his friends are getting ready for a party with all the girls and then continue to have a party, just have fun, and fool around.

FORM: The video includes sped up clips, the way the camera comes close to the subject and keeps on moving from many angles, and when the whole group is sitting and nodding their head to the beat. There is also not any real long transitions because it is a more upbeat song so there are just quick cuts from each clip. In addition to, most of the clips shown are 2Pac rapping into the camera and being real with the audience but there are few where he isn't that just shows everyone hanging out and playing around.

Both screenshots depict the closeness of the camera to the subject

The screenshot below shows your typical 90's music video shot of all the friends sitting down vibing to the music and nodding.

It is apparent that the camera goes all around and shows everybody who is there at many different angles throughout the video.

2000's brings...

Snoop Dogg's "Beautiful" (2003)

Director: Chris Robinson

CONTEXT: Snoop Dogg's real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. and was signed with Star Trak Entertainment at the time of this music video. 

CONTENT: Snoop and Pharrell are exploring the beauty of Brazil and its people while things are going on right around them.

FORM: An intro was expected most of the time in a 2000s music video whether it was short or long. Even just the artists saying one thing in a shot I feel like was always incorporated at the beginning of the video. The colors of the video include a green/blu-ish tone to it as well. Different shots appear to be a little more slow motion and some transitions are slower too.

The Intro:

 Green/Dark Tones shown:

Thing are happening behind Snoop while rapping into the camera:

2010+ (Now) brings...

Wiz Khalifa's "Celebrate" (2016)

Director: Dan Folger

CONTEXT: Wiz Khalifa (real name, Cameron) is a rapper from Pittsburgh currently signed to Atlantic Records.

CONTENT: Wiz and Rico Love are riding around in Miami celebrating everyday life on boats and cars.

FORM: From todays music videos, shots and transitions seem to be cleaner because the technology has changed. The look of most of todays videos are more sleek. Cameras that hover in the sky over different, potential shots are also happening a lot. Slow moving shots of scenery is a big thing too. Then, as Wiz was getting into the white car and something happened where it went slow motion then fast, and then slo-mo again. The view of the video is widescreen, not square.

Boat view from the sky:

Slow moving scenery:

Overlapped transition: