Language

• Opening shot establishes the urban setting with a wide shot of a UK cityscape. The accompanying audio code of birdsong connotes hope and optimism
• Colour palette creates meaning with the soft shades throughout signifying a positive mood. For example the pink sky connotes hope and optimism and the gold used to highlight the bones of Stormzy and the other boy reflect courage and inner strength
• Iconography used in the video is associated with Black empowerment. The placards and raised fist in the protest scene send a message of black power.
• There is symbolism at the end of the video when Stormzy places world in boys hands before leaving sends a clear message of optimism for ’young black kings and queens’ who have the power to change the world
• Costumes create a meaning with Stormzys black outfit symbolising black empowerment. The boys adidas tracksuit was chosen to create relatability for the young audience and adds authenticity.
• Doesn’t include artist performing the song so subverts music video conventions. It is entirely narrative based as it shows Stormzy leading the young boy in a typical hero’s journey with the lyrics narrating the story with cultural references to real events and people in 2020
• Stormzy is the hero (Propps Character Theory) as he rescues the young boy when he falls flying himself. The young black kings and queens could be seen as Proppian heroes who receive help on their journey to empowerment
• Intertextuality creates layers of meaning. E.g when Stormzy is flying with the boy it might be seen as a reference to Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story. And the boy working out the maths problem may reference Neo from The Matrix
• Technical codes also create meaning. A low angle shot establishes Stormzy as the hero the first time he meets the boy as he is being looking up at demonstrating him to be an inspirational role model
• Animated nature of the video enables the characters superpowers to be constructed imaginatively (eg. the musician with six arms to show his many talents)
• Lighting is used throughout to connote power and energy. Lightning, sunlight and stars are used to connote positivity and reflect superpowers (lightning effects show Stormzy teleport to different locations)