North Star- ‘Love Like This’

Northstar are a british group of a hip-hop and r&b nature.

I analysed a music video from this group as it is a british group with a similar target audience as ours; the younger, urban generation of the UK today.

Their lyrics are all written from personal experiences and feelings which attracts a similar audience that we wish to.

Music videos from this group can be found on britsh uk music channels such as ‘channel u’ and ‘aka’. Also now on international music broadcasting channels such as Mtv Base. Our production would be aimed to be seen on channels such as these.

The song is based on a male lead expressing his feelings to his girlfriend and committing himself to her. He refers to her as ‘My Love, My Friend, My Everything.. My Love, My life, My Wife.. ‘

He’s making eternal promises to her to do anything to keep her happy and a future together.

The audience is first introduced to the female lead in the first scene as she is in the shower but we don't see her face. The setting is very simple and natural. There is then a black flash to an intimate moment of the couple which then leads to a blackened flash to him sitting on a luxury car. This sequence of shots are of great significance as we are introduced to the main character in their ‘natural’ settings and together. As two different, individuals from different backgrounds are together as one. Already the audience gets the sense of the true feelings between them.

In this video, it is mostly of narrative as he is describing his feelings but the video is just of them in natural scenes such as shopping. He is singing while sitting on the stairs. He is sitting on the lower part of the stairs which could be interpreted as him lowering his defences and not worrying about a certain image to upkeep. The video also includes parts of the female singing . Nearer to end they are together as a group. This shows that she is accepted amongst him and his friends.

The love between the couple is conveyed thru their simple admiring looks at each other when walking down the road. There is a scene in which they go shopping and the sales people from the upmarket store give them disapproving looks. This gives the idea that they may have a very narrow minded thinking of the younger afro/ Carribbean generation.

There is a close up of her singing in the showers which gives the idea that she is in her natural setting expressing her true feelings

There is also a close up of her expression when he is singing to her.

The close up shot of just his hands is significant as it is showing off his ‘bling’ and implying that he lives a life of luxury and can afford the finer things.

A great technique is used to emphasise on the lyrics being said. This is done by the unfocused blur on an image that comes in to focus. They use this technique in the video by the focus on the singer.

An editing technique used is that of a faded split screen that show the comparison between the two characters but also allows the audience to contrast what the two characters are saying.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals

‘Afford a love like this..’This adds meaning as he is showing that he can buy her anything she desire and like worldly possessions, this love comes easy

‘Sipping champagne..’Meaning is added as he describes the luxurious lifestyle they can live together

‘Like my cars..’This adds meaning as his car is evidently special and one of a kind as is their love. Its a necessity to him.

Iconography

Genre related style; urban and stylish clothing. Evident luxury wear with fur and jewellery to emphasis wealth. Hoods and hats are typical of that style of clothing. Also tattoos and ear piercings are common among hip-hop and r&b stars.

Repeated close ups (1st minute)

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