Underdog alisha keys

• Alisha keys is a solo r and b artist /soul artist
• She has been awarded a raft of awards during her career. Billboard named her as the top r and b artist of the noughties
• She has twice hosted the Grammy awards. She is a philanthropist and activist
• The track underdog was taken from her 2020 album Alicia released on RCA records
• It was written by keys and other contributors including Ed sheeran
• Speaking of the track keys said some people may think of the word underdog as a negative word but I see it as a powerful word representing who may be underestimated and yet still rise to the challenge and exceed except actions
• The video for underdog was directed by Wendy Morgan a Canadian film director who has directed music videos for gnarls barkley janelle monae and Laura mvula
• Morgan said her aim in creating the music video was to create a space grounded in reality a joyful natural world for the video to live in
• The aim of the performer is to interpret the lyrics through a narrative of which alisha keys is an integral part
• In this particular performance the artist songs directly to the camera which involves the audience in the story and the artist and some of the characters eventually come together to perform a celebratory dance
• The involvement of the artist in this style of music video allows them to establish their persona and in the case of alisha keys uses the music video form to raise awareness of societal issues and inequalities that are o concern to her
• Different cultural codes are established through clothing styles and colours highlighting the inclusivity and diversity of the community
• For example the young women in hijabs dressed in convential prom dresses and the bright clothing and headdress of the street all carry cultural connotations
• Keys wears understated clothing which signifies the music genre but doesn't draw attention to her as the artist
• She blends in as part of the htroup active creative decision
• The music video is filmed in real location s to create a sense of realism
• Locations include urban street scenes domestic situations and the market
• The desaturated earthy colour palette reinforces the sense that real life is happening and this is juxtaposed with the bright vibrant colours of the larger than life street dancer character
• The only audio in the music video is the song lyrics
• Instead of dialogue the individual stories are constructed through expressions and gesture
• For example the exchange between the young woman and the street seller is inaudible but the meaning is effectively conveyed through the lyrics, gesture and expressions
• Similarly the upbeat atmosphere of the music video is reinforced by waving smiling and clapping which are recognisable signifers of positivity
• The use of the close-up shots of the characters in the music video and their positive expressions creates an upbeat feeling and an engagement with the audience
• The low - angle shot looking at the sky through hands is repeated and is a visual representation of the lyrics rise up connoting aspiration
• The establishing shots of the urban milleu anchor the narrative in a realistic setting representing real life and experiences
• Tracking shots follow the characters in their everyday lives the man on the pavement and young women on the bus
• The use of slow motion is a reminder that this a stylised construction
• The editing cuts between the individual stories and the performance of the artist establishing a clear link between the two. The young mother spinning with the child in her arms and the street dancer spinning on the table reinforces a sense of community through visual signifers
• The narrative is linear featuring disruptions and a resolution that reflects the dominant message of triumph over adversity. The narrative focuses on the central premise that those that are underestimated in life can defy the odds and rise up
• The story is essentially positive and celebratoru and redefines the idea of the underdog. The narrative shows that chance encounters with strangers can have an impact on your life and draws attention to groups different groups in society that often may be overlooked
• The different narrative strands are woven with the performance of the artist who acts as the storyteller, this is a typical convention of music videos. The repitive lyrics of the chorus reinforce the narrative
• The resolution of opposites can have ideological significance particularly in music videos that encode social messages
• Consider how this music video brings together disparate groups through their individual narratives to create a cohesive community with a single aim to raise up
• born in Hell's kitchen a deprived area of midtown manhattan. Her music is influenced by her experiences of discrimination and inequality
• Is an r and b artist this genre of music historically covers themes and lyrics related to the experiences of afro-Americans. Keys uses the conventions of the music and its historical roots to reinforce positive, contemporary representation of ethnicity, race and gender
• As a female artist in this genre she also strives to produce a positive representation of women through her music
• Underdog constructs a version of reality using real locations and believable characters. The paradigmatic choices of visual and technical codes work together to convey a point of view of the world
• Refuses to accept that certain social groups who are misrepresented and underrepresented due to their ethnicity, gender and social class should be as victims. As a result the representations are positive challenging audience perceptions of the homeless and young single mothers as well as other struggling societal groups who are in need of support and recognition
• Keys challenges audiences perceptions of particular social groups. She includes stereotypical shots of young children fending for themselves in a domestic setting but goes on to subvert this stereotype by representing them as resilient rather than as struggling
• The shots of the arrival of their mother have a warm colour palette and the audience is invited into their home as they sit together at the end