A Sociological Report on the Portrayal of Violence in Western Music

This report provides a qualitative analysis of five Western music videos, focusing on the sociological themes of violence and sexual objectification. The analysis explores the presentation styles, lyrical content, and visual imageries of the selected music videos, including tracks by Snap Capone, 67 ft Giggs, Reekz MB, and KB. The report identifies violence as a recurring theme across the videos, portrayed both explicitly and implicitly, while noting the absence of sexual objectification. It also touches upon the communal angle, observing that the videos are predominantly created by American blacks. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of balancing artistic expression with social responsibility and the need for an administrative framework to maintain social harmony, advocating for a combined approach that fosters creativity within socially maintained parameters.

WESTERN MUSIC VIDEO AND SOCIOLOGY
The qualitative analysis of music video consists of developing themes, codes based on the
findings and analysing the videos as a whole. The report barfly delves into such research on five
music videos discussed herein.
Music Video 1:
Song: Behind Barz
Artist/ Band: Snap Capone
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH5SZi_CKqs
The presentation of the video is in a simple format where lyrics plays a vital role in
conveying the message embedded with the song. It has been shown that the artist is recording the
song in the studio with headphone in his ears. The optical theme of the song has not been
emphasized by way of making a background story or through some imageries or visuals. The
lyrics contain abusive words with the focus on youth mindset without putting emphasis on the
visually illustrative way of sexual objectification.
Music Video 2:
Song: Lets Lurk
Artist/ Band: 67 ft Giggs
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f10yTpZzuv4
The given music video of drill sound genre has been created with high production value and
strategic approach to a target youth audience. The dark background and the flavour of the night
in the city's road have put in the video. Girls' have not been shown that signifies that the theme is

not based on sexual objectification. However, the police van and the gangs of boys, some of
them wearing ghost-like silver masks, depict the violent attitude and the turbulence in the mind
(McQuaid, 2016).
Music Video 3:
Song: No Face
Artist/ Band: Reekz MB
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woBoEoKlpv0
The video has an almost similar approach with that of the previous one with almost the same
production value. Shooting in the night with a dark and somewhat blurry background and gangs
of young boys smoking symbolise the aggression. The aggression further aggravates when nuns
are being shown using guns and shooting people, burning the car and causing the death of people
and police sitting idle and watching the massacre so presented (Ballinger, 2018). In this context,
it may be noted that such bold content influencing young mind towards violence has been
criticized by many ("UK rappers in jail", 2018).
Music Video 4:
Song: Listen Up Freestyle
Artist/ Band: KB
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vnPyNESWSw
The video has been shot to present a disturbing viewing for the audiences. Jump cuts,
defocusing and jerks have been used within the video to portray the disorder that attracts the
adolescent mind and may lead them to violence. In addition, the lyrics have also been found to

be offensive with much use of slangs and rude words. Depiction has not been explicit in terms of
bloodsheds; however, smoking and gunfire have been exhibited that may conceive to be a
depiction of crime. Also, women have not been shown as san sexual object that signifies the
theme of the video is not the sexuality.
Music Video 5:
Song: Drillin Off
Artist/ Band: 67 (Dimzy)
URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig6eYOuTc48
The music video has been shot in outdoor, on the streets. High rises are being shown along
with the roads of the city. The production value is high with the professional camera being used.
Strategically the face of most of the singers is being wrapped up with black masks that denote a
dark meaning. Interestingly the gunshots, fire or even the sexuality has not been shown anywhere
in the video explicitly. Only the smoking, firing and driving are being shown through the hand
and finger movement which may be contrasted to be a common feature in hip-hop or rap music
videos. The lyrics suggest that the theme of the song has been being vocal about the social and
the political issues that are prevailing within the country and hence demanded due consideration
for the same (Kameir, 2018).
Based on the discussion it may be concluded that all the songs have a common feature of the
portrayal of violence. Some of the videos have made it explicitly, whereas, violence and
aggression have been shown implicitly in some of the productions. Therefore, violence may be
construed to be one of the codes of the research. Besides, the sexual objectification is assumed to
be another code and theme of the videos which none of the videos has presented and hence, it

may be stated that the branding of all the videos has been done accordingly. Lastly, it may be
observed that all the videos have been created by the American blacks that explore a communal
angle of the research as well. On a separate note, it may be stated that the song or a particular
music genre may be viewed or treated as creation and an art form in its own meaning, It is up to
the listeners and general people who will be deciding whether the same will be accepted or not.
However, there should also be an administrative framework that will protect the peace and
harmony within the society and any effort to deviate from such socially maintained parameters
may need to be carefully controlled. A combined approach of both will significantly contribute
towards the sustainable society where the artists will get the opportunity to explore and create art
within the social parameters and equity framework.

References:
Ballinger, C. (2018). Gang jailed after forensics link them to same gun in shootings. Retrieved
from https://www.croydonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local-news/gang-jailed-after-forensics-
team-1069845
Kameir, R. (2018). 67 on police targeting of U.K. drill music: “It’s not right to blame or alienate
one music genre”. Retrieved from https://www.thefader.com/2018/07/24/67-uk-drill-
music-police-youtube-open-letter
McQuaid, I. (2016). The 20 best grime and UK rap tracks of 2016. Retrieved from
https://www.factmag.com/2016/12/04/best-grime-uk-rap-tracks-2016/
UK rappers in jail. (2018). Retrieved from http://breathenews.co.uk/uk-rappers-in-jail