Goldie’s Innercity Life

Analysis

Goldie Innercity life

• Goldie is an “English electronic music artist, disc jockey, visual artist and actor”. He gained exposure through his graffiti arts and then became known for innovations in the music genres of bass and drums. The video was released in 2006.

The Marxist Approach

• For this video I will be analysing the video through the Marxist theory which centre’s the following:• The Marxist approach is an economical and sociopolitical theory that looks at society in terms of

classes and the struggles between them.• It takes into consideration the materialistic needs of a person. • It sees the mode of production as the basis to the majority of other social phenomena.

(social/political/legal systems)• Because of this the class struggles exist, as materialistically there are inefficiencies between the

two classes.• The bourgeoisie own the means of production; whilst the proletariat produces the goods and

services.• Marxist theory believes that this socialist system is a necessity.• “Hegemony is the ruling class’s domination through ideology and the shaping of popular

consent” Cultural Studies - Hegemony and Ideology - Media, Hegemonic, Culture, and Gitlin - JRankArticles http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/articles/pages/6487/Cultural-Studies.html#ixzz1qbTSl8aE

I will be questioning how the Marxist theory would see this video and if it’s ideas contradict it or not.

In the intro of the video we see bills, and a single mother working whilst her children are sitting down. She has an exasperated and lonely look on her face as she sighs. The video is clearly showing us the hardships of her life. In terms of the Marxist theory this family would be known as the ‘proletariat’ and this would be advocated by the approach.

We are introduced to young children who live in these ‘inner city’ parts. They spend their time playing ball games and hanging around. The video is questioning whether these children of ‘proletariat’ have a fair chance in life.

As the tempo of the music begins to become more upbeat, we see a different side to this city. We’re in a club and people are dancing and enjoying their time as the DJ spins the records. This may apply to the idea of hegemony in the Marxist approach as these people are ‘following the status quo’. However, one may question whether they are leading a ‘materialistic’ lifestyle or rather escaping the lack of it. Especially as there are drugs circulating the club.

There is a complete contrast between these two scenes, from the melodic scenes of the estates to the upbeat tempo of the clubs. However, in both cases people who have turned to crime such as drug abuse or those worrying about bills- are struggling.

Destructive imagery

• The video also presents a lot of powerful yet destructive imagery such as a burning car, a trolley being thrown down and bills being put on fire and thrown away. This could be Goldie’s way of ‘destroying’ both poverty and a life of materialism.

Summary

• The Marxist approach may reject some ideas in the video and say that the proletariat are a necessary part of society.

• Hegemonic control through the media would also say that people’s ideas and thoughts would be overpowered by those in control and in some sense these acts of ‘destruction’ may be seen as defiance and do not really exist in reality.