Artist: Kanye West

Song: Bound 2

Narrative:

This video begins showing a selection of nature's finest views whether it be mountains or forests. Then it cuts to Kanye West and his then girlfriend, Kim Kardashian. He's riding a motorbike with her in front, topless. Throughout the video, they stay like this. The camera cross cuts from Kanye rapping to the camera but the video ends as it begins. This decision to shoot the video like this symbolises the strength of their relationship. The title implies that they are bound to one another, literally on a motorbike and metaphorically in life. The background changes throughout the video, suggesting that their journey isn't changing any time soon despite the circumstances and obstacles faced and that nothing, not even the weather or distance apart can break them apart; no matter what, they are sticking together. The fact that they stay bound together on the motorbike implies that they are inseparable and that their relationship is going at a very fast pace, which is what the motorbike connotes. The limited distance between them represents the closeness of their relationship and the hope that they will carry on their journey through life together.

 

Visuals:

The mise-en-scene in this video is very limited and open for interpretation. Kim's lack of clothing and choice to be topless represents how raw Kimye's love is for one another and her bare skin contacting his connotes how little can get between them. The different views at the beginning of the video compares just how beautiful their love. Showing a montage of breath taking views then Kimye half naked on a motorcycle implies that they believe their love is as raw and beautiful as nature's finest scenery. The level of intimacy shown during the video on the motorbike symbolises how open their relationship is and how unafraid they are to flaunt their love; Kanye will even show deep levels of intimacy for the whole world to see. Showing intimate scenes with nature behind you is iconic to this video especially as there is nothing more natural than a bare man and woman.

 

Conventions:

This video is extremely unconventional, so unconventional that it is highly controversial. However, the fact an artist as unconventional and controversial as Kanye West has created this, somehow makes it conventional to him and his brand. Featuring Kim Kardashian, somebody as controversial as Kanye West heightens how unique and iconic the video is. For a rap based video to feature the rapper's girlfriend is very unconventional however, it does have an aspect of mainstream, typical rap and that is when Kanye raps directly to the camera - a convention associated with the majority of music videos.