Genre Signifiers: R'n'B

Genre signifiers is another term for common conventions. They are the elements that we expect to see in certain media products. A genre is what categorises music into a group with shared qualities and conventions.

Some examples of music genres are:

• Pop
• R'n'B
• Hip-Hop
• Rock
• House
• Techno
• Classical

  Genre Signifiers of R'n'B

Long shots and wide shots are often used in these music videos. It could be to show off the surroundings of the artist i.e. the location. A lot of the time the locations in these music videos are very extravagant, therefore wide shots are used to show off these flashy locations. Leading the audience to believe that the artist must be extremely wealthy, which will make the artist seem more powerful and successful because it is what people associate with wealth. Creating the star image that Goodwin believed is created in music videos. For example in the music video for 'Strip' by Chris Brown, there are lots of wide shots and long shots featuring a him in a party ,presumably his, whereby he is surrounded by girls. Suggesting to the audience that lots of girls like him, which could lead male audiences to aspire to be like Chris Brown.

With regards to locations, as I have already explained in R'n'B music videos they are almost always set in big mansions with really scenic views.

If the song is particularly sad or has a slower tempo, the music video tends to have a black and white/ greyscale filter. It will help to make the music video more sad and melancholy as grey is a very gloomy colour. It may also give more of a sensual atmosphere to the video due to the fact that it makes the footage look more dark and mysterious.



Artists usually include some sort of monologue in their music videos, where they talk to the camera usually about something linked to the subject of the song. It may be to allow the audience to gain more understanding of what the artist is trying to demonstrate in the song, making the song more meaningful. Or there is a small intro showing a short story for the same effect.

Women's costumes are usually very minimal, and the males are usually shown with no top. This costume choice is used to invite the audience by making the artist or characters sexually appealing. The male artists are usually shown surrounded by women. The accessories are also usually very flash, as they are covered in gold chains, watches, sunglasses or designer clothing. It is to again show off the wealth that these artists have, encouraging the audience to aspire to them as they will seem successful and powerful.