Ron Artest music video analysis - hip hop influences

The opening shot of the music video includes an establishing shot of a basketball arena containing many visual effects and credits. This then cuts to a shot underneath the hoop with a countdown (done in the point board score style, with LED lights) . This then cuts to old nostalgic clips of the player, Ron Artest. As the beat drops we can see Babyface Ray performing on a stage in an arena while a game is going on. The vintage camera effect that carries on throughout the video provides a great level of nostalgia as intended by the artists, with the beat choice, lyrics and delivery. There are many clips that cut between the artists performing , different aspects of their lives as seen in one clip where Babyface Ray and 42 Dugg are sitting in a luxurious living room, surrounded by women and money. Settings like these immediately establish their status and wealth which is why these elements are generally incorporated in hip hop. Throughout the video, we see several scenes of Babyface Ray and 42 Dugg rapping their verses, often surrounded by expensive cars, designer clothes, and women. These visuals further reinforce their wealth and success in the music industry. There are also several scenes in the video that depict violence and criminal activity, such as illicit substances and shootings. These scenes represent the harsh realities of life in their communities, and how some turn to crime as a means of survival. One particularly striking scene that is able to project the artist's emotions and allows for a connection with the audience is when Babyface Ray is shown rapping in front of a mural of his friend, Ron, who was killed. This scene serves as a tribute to his friend and highlights the violence and loss that is prevalent in their community.

The music video also features several shots of their home town Detroit, where both Babyface Ray and 42 Dugg are from. These shots show both the beautiful and gritty sides of the city, emphasizing the struggles and triumphs of those who call it home.

Overall, the "Ron Artist" music video uses visuals to represent the wealth, success, and struggles of Babyface Ray and 42 Dugg's lives, as well as the realities of life in their communities.

While researching the genre it was made clear that Basketball has had a significant influence on hip hop culture, and the two have been intertwined since the early days of hip hop in the 1970s. A few ways that basketball has influenced hip hop culture include:

Fashion: Basketball players have been known for their unique and stylish outfits, from Michael Jordan's iconic Air Jordan sneakers to Allen Iverson's baggy shorts and sleeve tattoos. These fashion choices have been adopted by many hip hop artists, who have incorporated them into their own style.

Language: Basketball terminology has become part of the lexicon of hip hop, with phrases such as "dunk," "three-pointer," and "alley-oop" being used in rap lyrics. Players like Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant have also had successful rap careers, further bridging the gap between the two cultures.

A big way basketball influenced hip hop is incorporated in Music videos: Basketball courts and players have been featured prominently in hip hop music videos, from Run-DMC's "My Adidas" to Jay-Z's "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)" to Drake's "Laugh Now Cry Later." These videos showcase the athleticism and style of basketball players, while also emphasizing the close relationship between hip hop and basketball culture.

Lastly, Social issues have been plaguing these cultures for years and artists have used their platform to address social issues, including police brutality and racism, that are also prevalent in the world of basketball. In recent years, NBA players have become increasingly vocal about these same issues, creating a strong connection between hip hop and basketball activism

Mainstream bias has always been deeply embedded in hip hop culture since its beginnings as people who don't understand the culture and are quick to dismiss it due to the raw behavior and harsh topics with violence and crime. To the inexperienced and typical audience member, with a view like this from the outside it is understandable as this genre may not be for everyone. For the open minded individual experiencing this genre occurs by seeing the everyday through a new lens (AKA a postmodern society). Producing bias and perceptions against the genre as people saw society being influenced by language and resorting to delinquency. With the theme of disrupting the peace. For example, the song “It was a Good Day” by Ice Cube is an example of a song that was seen immediately as“disrupting the commonplace” when in fact, if one simply listens to the message and understands the artist's way of life, this opinion quickly changes, as the song turns into a globally recognized song about feeling good and positivity . In the classroom, teachers can use “It was a Good Day” to portray a new point of view or purpose that shapes the content and style of a text. This amount of in depth analysis may help people who are outsiders to hip-hop or are not familiar with the culture by providing them with some examples of everyday experiences through the lens of these artists and what they have gone through. Obviously, simply informing an audience would not be able to submerge the viewer in the topic as they may not find said experiences to be relatable in any form, although, open minded individuals who are willing to consider the messages conveyed in the music and given context are much more likely to enjoy the music instead of dismissing it. The song (It was a good day) presents everyday life in south central Los Angeles from the hip hop artist Ice Cube’s perspective. Here, rapper Ice Cube shares his story through rhymes and poetry. Although some details mentioned are quite explicit and require the viewer to put themselves in the artists shoes, talking about smoking, drinking, having sexual relations, hanging out with his friends, and not being harassed by local police, it is seen that the artist is depicting a life of short term pleasures and can even be seen as “flexing” it or glamourizing them when in fact, if analysed with context, the viewer would hypothetically pull back the curtains and understand why the artist is expressing himself in this way and the role of these pleasure in life and the corelation between these stereotypical topics and how they effected his life, where they provided an escape. This is also linked with another significant element of hip hop, relatability. With these concepts in mind, the audience can see bias and the different perceptions of the rapper’s activities in context as a young male in south-central Los Angeles in the mid-1990s. Hip-hop music helps us examine everyday experiences through a raw lens, but it also can guide our understanding of acts of social justice and understand a shunned side of behavior while also showing the control and influence of the media.

Through this, the close relationship between rock music and hip hop culture and how they may influence each other, as seen with the rap-like delivery in Cant Stop by the Chili Peppers while still catering towards a different target audience and still keeping the authenticity of the music which shows clear influence and ties between the genre. Another rock band from the 90s with a clear influence of both genres. The Beastie Boys are considered influential in hip hop music for a number of reasons. As well as being one of the first white acts to gain credibility and commercial success in the genre, they helped to bring hip hop to a mainstream audience through experimenting with different styles and sounds, incorporating elements of punk and rock into their music. Additionally, they were known for their energetic live performances and their irreverent and playful lyrics.