Representation of Race in Hype Williams' Music Videos

Representing race can be very dangerous in different media texts as it could either cause offense or influence people's image of ethnic groups in an undesireable way. People, like Hype Williams, have a very important role within society as they could initially control the views and opinions of the public by how they portray those with different racial backgrounds in their work. Hype Williams uses this power wisely as in his music videos he illustrates the equality and individuality of black people with great responsibility. He demonstrates the strength and independence of black people through many varieties of techniques. Some of Williams' commonly used motifs within his directed music videos are the use of a fish-eye lense, low angle shots of the artists, abstract settings, expressionists costumes and featuring a mainly black cast. I will be exploring the representation of black people in particular through the use of these motifs.

TLC - No Scrubs
The first music video that I will be concentrating on is TLC - No Scrubs.

The denotation of what the song lyrics mean is that they are not willing to take on any man who doesn't work hard for what he wants. This shows the TLC members as strong minded women who kno what they want from a man and that they will not except anything less. This power is shown through the many low angle shots of the artists, which makes them look superior to men. Stereotypically, black women are seen to be strong willed and independent and Williams' has used this positive stereotype to portray the TLC female members.
 
The TLC members have many expressionists costume changes in the music video that emphasises their feminine bodies. This could be to show off their curves for the male audience to look;voyeurism. Some of the expressionists costumes are so exagerated that it could be seen as overly sexualising the image of black women. Also, the sexualised dance moves adds to the over sexualised image of black women. Contextually, this could be linked to the colonial idea of promiscuous black women in the past, which puts a negative vibe on black woman and is seen as a very racist view of black women.

Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See

Moving onto Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See by Busta Rhymes...

The genreal theme of the music video seems to be of an Ancient Tribal image with again the expressionists costumes present and the dance performances throughout. the dance performances are over exgerated and can be seen in two different lights. Because it is exagerated, it is almost seen as self mockery of the culture as it is fairly humerous. This can be negatve as it gives out the assumption that all black people are from Africa and have these "humerous" routines and rituals. However, the exagerated dance routine could be seen as a celebration of the African cukture; enjoying the dance rituals and the origin of some black ethnic people. Depending on how the audience views the faux-African dance sequence, depends on whether black people are represented positivel yor negatively in this music video.

Another stereotype of black people is that they are seen as inferior to other races in society. in the past, many slaves were black who served for a typical, high class, white family. In contrast to this, Williams subverts this stereotypical image by placing Busta Rhymes in a situation where he is of the highest authority. He is seen in an outlandish palacial setting which carrys connotations of luxury and power. Also, he has the many of servants who serves him like royalty by carrying out tasks for him unecessarilty; for example,brushing his teeth for him.

Notorious B.I.G. - Mo Money Mo Problems

Finally concentrating on Notorious B.I.G.'s Mo Money Mo Problems...

The celebration of black people rising in society is demonstrated in this music video. At the time of when this music video was being produced and released, Tiger Woods, a black golfer, was at the peak of his career. This had strongly influenced the Mo Money Mo Problems music video as the concept of a golfing match was used. it reinforces the strength and rise of black people in society, demonstrating it in a beneficial way to the balck race.

In conclusion, I believe that it was and is Hype Williams' sole intention to use positive stereotypical factors of black people in his music videos to boost the image of black people, in general, in a positive light in society as a whole.