Dizzee Rascal - Dream
The general video moves away from the conventions that would normally be present in rap genre music videos. General conventions will include props like guns and money- which is generally used to represent their status and wealth. The videos may often use dark lightening, in order to set a specific tone. However some conventions are used in the video: the artist raps directly into the camera, however it isn't paired with a low angle shot, like other music videos in that genre. Furthermore, their are girls present in the video, but they're unconventional and don't fit the image of what females look like in other rap videos- for a start, they're puppets; and even so the puppets are dressed in long dresses, whereas in other music videos, females are likely to have costumes that are more revealing.
The video is set up like the old children's TV show 'Watch with Mother' in which the female character, acting as 'Mother' addresses the audience as 'boys, and girls'- away in which children are addressed by adults. This sets the theme for the video, alongside implying the audience members are children (or at least child-like). The child theme connotes a sense of innocence and ignorance, which contrasts the themes Dizzee Rascal is exploiting, this makes the video ironic. The juxtaposition in the two themes reflects society, as although society is experiencing serious issues, most of the world is ignorant to their existence and the problems go ignored. Furthermore, this blindness and ignorance is demonstrated as many audience members will be captivated by the visuals and become ignorant and detached from the lyrics. Audiences will be drawn to the video due to the child-like theme as it will bring a sense of nostalgia, and although an older audience demographic may not be Dizzee Rascal's target audience, and older audience will be drawn in by the use of nostalgia. Nostalgia will be effective as it'll remind an individual of past events and times in their lives, which could have brought them a greater sense of happiness, which will be instilled to them when watching the video.
Although the video addresses issues in society, it's inspirational. Dizzee Rascal talks about how me managed to get where he was even though it didn't seem like he'd get as far as he did when he was younger. Talking about his journey will provide motivation for the audience to have a dream, and achieve it. The chorus talks about dreams, and that if you don’t have a dream, how can you expect to achieve it and get far in life. When talking about societal issues, such as teen pregnancy he said ‘young babymothers, yo I got your back as well’- providing those who can relate with a sense of support. He also mentions the teen fathers, and provides a postive representation of them in the fact that they’re present and supporting the mother and baby. The puppets in this scene are black, and so it goes against the stereotype that black males are not in their children’s lives.
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