Music Video AnalysisJhené Aiko- The Worst

The worst..

The worst was released in 2014,and is from her album ‘Sail out’. The worst is a mixture of R&B, indie pop and neo soul. The song features a smooth flow with a slow to mid tempo and "aggressive" lyrics.

Narrative

The Music video is based on a narrative. It tells a story about a woman who kills her lover as she tries to justify killing him by saying he used her. The music video is set in her house as subtle events take place such as drinking wine in the kitchen. The music video does not show her actually committing the act, however little clues are given away such as her washing her bloody hands in the sink which leaves the rest to the imagination of the audience. The events that take place throughout the music video suggest that she is preparing for her arrest as she puts on make up and wears fine jewellery before the police come at the end of the song. This may suggest that she isn't sorry for her act and may have turned herself in.

Voyeurism

Voyeurism is used in this music video as throughout the music video Jhené is see wearing seductive underwear with a bath robe on top. This is a common convention in a female R&B music video. In the music industry ,sex sells and females are seen to be objects viewed by men, despite the context of the music video women will always probably be viewed in a sexual way.

Intertexuality

Women are often not portrayed as ‘killers’ in society or in Music video’s in general. However there has recently been an increase in R&B female artists depicting themselves as powerful and adopting traditional male roles. The Music video reminds me of a film called basic instinct where the woman is a serial killer.

Demand for close ups

This close up is used to establish the main character that is the artist herself. It is also used to emphasise her facial expressions in this case anxiety as she looks around nervously. The use of red lighting in this shot connotes danger.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals

There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals. This is shown where Jhené says ‘I just cant keep running away’ the visuals show a dead body on her kitchen floor .This suggests that she has killed him and she cant escape from this atrocious act. The blurring effect and the slow motion also creates a sense of confusion.