Michael Jackson

Snoopdogg	Chill druggie, comedic
Jason derulo	Sex/relationships
Sean Kingston	Lovable, kind
50 Cent	Gangsta, drugs
Chuck Berry	Gangsta
Nas	Lovable,  inspirational
Stormzy	Gangsta, grime
Skepta	Gangsta? grime
Santandave	Drugs, grime, comedic?
Jay-Z	Gangsta
Drake	Sex/relationships
R-Kelly	Sex
Will-I-Am	Comedic
Michael Jackson	Comedic, crazy
Childish Gambino	Lovable, comedic
Usher	Kind, popish
Ice Cube	Gangsta
Chris Brown	violent
Biggie	Gangsta
Tupac	Gangsta

Launch of MTV

At 12:01am on August 1, 1981, history was made when MTV, the first 24-hour video music channel, launched onto our television sets and literally changed our lives with the birth of the music video. The first video ever played on the network was quite ironic — “Video Killed The Radio Star” by The Buggles. Though virtually unknown in the States, The Buggles would be reborn and become one of the biggest one-hit wonders of all time thanks in large part to the “Video Killed The Radio Star” music video airing on MTV. 

Rick James - Superfreak got refused by MTV for not fitting the genre of rock at the time. Carolyn B. Baker, who was black, had questioned why the definition of music had to be so narrow, as had a few others outside the network. "The party line at MTV was that we weren't playing black music because of the 'research'", said Baker years later. "But the research was based on ignorance ... we were young, we were cutting edge. We didn't have to be on the cutting edge of racism." Nevertheless, it was Baker who had personally rejected Rick James' video for Super Freak "because there were half-naked women in it, and it was a piece of crap. As a black woman, I did not want that representing my people as the first black video on MTV." 

"Rick James’ subliminal media language of “the “Black Buck” was not suited to white producers."

According to popular stereotypes during the post-Reconstruction era, "Black Buck" was a black man (usually muscular or tall) who defies white will and is largely destructive to American society. He is usually hot-tempered, excessively violent, unintelligent, and sexually attracted to white women. Most often, any attempt to restrain, reprimand, or re-educate the individual will fail, necessitating the individual's immediate execution (usually by lynching).

The first video by a black artist to receive heavy rotation on the network, “Billie Jean” opened up the door for other artists of color to be featured on MTV. “Billie Jean” also paved the way for Michael Jackson to star in the 14-minute music video “Thriller,” the most expensive music video ever made then. James accused the network of racism. When MTV and BET both avoided playing the video for "Loosey's Rap" because of its graphic sexual content, James considered the networks hypocritical in light of them still playing provocative videos by Madonna and Cher.

BILLIE JEAN STORY

• represents groupies (from the jackon5 days)
• first notable video by a black artist on MTV (1983)
• represents himself as a sexual man
• keeps disappearing as a detective follows him around
• sleeping around?
• being framed?
• based on crazy fan
• high budget ($50,000)

PART 2

• Discuss aspects of the video’s (media language)  present Jackson as an American Teenage Star/Heartthrob.

the costume is similar to teenagers prom wear in the 1970s/80s. 

can dance

"She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene"

"'Cause we danced on the floor in the round, baby"

it's not as sexual as ricks James' super freak.

getting in bed with someone else - this can link to sleeping around. disappearing at the end can link to a one night stand.

In fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character —usually the protagonist— to highlight particular qualities of the other character. the foil in this music video is the detective.

Michael Jackson is a counter-type because he wears sophisticated clothing which is opposite to the stereotype that black men are uneducated and thug-like.

  discuss how Jackson’s video consolidates the representation of

“talented musician/dancer”

michael jackson was renowned for his dance moves specicifically the moonwalk and going onto his toes. another move of his was the lean. this video also made his sgnitaure "hee hee" famous.