Music videos have long been a space for social and political expression. A more recent example is “This Is America” by Childish Gambino, which uses powerful visuals and choreography to address commentation on the United States gun violence and systemic racism and more. The layered symbolism throughout is not just about the music its a from of critique in motion. From anti-establishment messages to social justice themes artists have long used visuals to make statements that go beyond lyrics and adress societal issues.

Specifiaclly applying this through the lens of hip-hop and rap and its abilities to stand out specifically. The genre born from resistance, growing out of the struggles of marginalised communities and was shaped by systemic inequality. More than music, it’s storytelling and a resistance culture all wrapped into one and naturally that energy found its way into the music video format.

In contemporary hip-hop, we’ve seen this politicised visual language in discourse and action,through Beyoncé’s Lemonade exploring themes of Black identity, trauma, and generational healing. Alongside a Black males American experience, Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly and DAMN., both of which take strong stances on race and power within social injustice in America. Their videos are complex,layered and intentional as the lyrics themselves

A powerful example of this in the UK scene is Little Simz’s music video “Woman”. Directed by Simz herself and alongside Otis Dominique, the video is a visual celebration of Black womanhood. Serving as a declaration of self-love, pride and unity within the community. “Woman” makes its political point through instead centering women in the video and showcasing the elegance of Black womens strength, and softness. In doing so, it pushes back against a world that often ignores stereotypes or misrepresents them.

As Diane Railton and Paul Watson (2011) argue music videos are never neutral; they actively shape how identities are seen and understood. “Woman” challenges dominant cultural narratives by presenting a rich and empowering portrayal of Black women, giving visibility to voices that are given the representation they deserve. In a world that frequently misrepresents or erase black women in media, Little Simz expresses a political stance through the vibrant, life-affirming portrayal of women in “Woman”, where simply existing in full colour exhibity and pride and softness becomes a powerful act of resistance.

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REFRENCES:

Childish Gambino (2018) This Is America [Music video]. Directed by Hiro Murai. USA: RCA Records. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYOjWnS4cMY

Railton, D. and Watson, P. (2011) Music Video and the Politics of Representation. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Beyoncé (2016) Lemonade [Visual album]. Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records.

Lamar, K. (2015) To Pimp a Butterfly [Album]. Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope Records.

Lamar, K. (2017) DAMN. [Album]. Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope Records.

Little Simz (2021) Woman [Music video]. Directed by Little Simz and Otis Dominique. From the album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. Age 101 Music / AWAL.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHGf6tmnLYE