Music Video – Letter to the Free
Context
Common – a black American cultural icon who has maintained a political and social concern in his
music
The song was written for Ava DuVernay’s documentary ‘13th ‘
Outlaws slavery as well as pave the way for state law reforms that created loopholes that effectively
enabled the continued enslavement of Black Americans throughout mass imprisonment
Common’s non star persona representation
It’s anchored by corridor shot of him leaning against a wall with drummer
Two shot of girls singing Freedom is cut against two shot of performers in warehouse
- All musicians who appear in the video are stripped of their star persona
“Instead of the word ‘nigger’ they use the word criminal”
- Cut against the rectangle, which is jet black and suspended above a prison cell anchoring the
link between black ethnicity and imprisonment
Cinematography
The camera shots change:
- Long shot so that we can get to see the entire location
- Medium angle puts the focus on the person in the scene
- Close ups allow audiences to have a look at the person’s facial expressions where they could
pick up more messages from and understand the character’s emotions
“But a method of having black and brown bodies fill them”
US prison system created modern day slave culture populated by non-whites
= confront and break stereotype by sending the message of equality
“Forgive them father, they know this knot is undone”
Word play ‘not’ and ‘knot’
, = referring to the idea of ropes used in lynching and Jesus’ final words when being crucified
Mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience
Used to reinforce black culture - e.g. when one of the musicians is scene playing an African drum
All the characters are dressed in 'normal' outdoor wear which you see in America which could be
represent they are the same as everyone else
They have used low-key lighting to create the mood as this music video isn't intended to create a
bright, happy feel as they are talking about black life struggles and inequalities
Significance of the constantly moving camera
It sows different parts of the location so audiences get to see the setting and that would also convey
messages to them (e.g. when they showed a prison cell)
The camera work also constantly changes as different singers come into the song
Another reason for the camera constantly moving is so that they can feature all the artists involved
in the music video
Black and White video
Creates a dull and serious atmosphere, which sets the mood for the music video as they’re carrying
out a serious message
It could also be because they are talking about things in the past such as the 13th and how they
believe things still haven’t really changed years down the line
Social significance
LTTF is part of an album entitled ‘Black America Again’
- A call to social action that asks its audience to stand up and be counted
The video’s setting explicitly connects to the social issues
- Which Is also evident with the lyric ‘Institution ain’t just a building’ ‘new Jim Crow’
= He’s gazed upon by white females, woman in the white sheets remain enigmatic
Cultural significance
Race issues and an aesthetic lineage
- Which goes back through Maya Angelou “the caged bird sings for freedom”
- and Billie Holiday “Southern trees we hung from”
The song/video are connected to documentary 13th
Context
Common – a black American cultural icon who has maintained a political and social concern in his
music
The song was written for Ava DuVernay’s documentary ‘13th ‘
Outlaws slavery as well as pave the way for state law reforms that created loopholes that effectively
enabled the continued enslavement of Black Americans throughout mass imprisonment
Common’s non star persona representation
It’s anchored by corridor shot of him leaning against a wall with drummer
Two shot of girls singing Freedom is cut against two shot of performers in warehouse
- All musicians who appear in the video are stripped of their star persona
“Instead of the word ‘nigger’ they use the word criminal”
- Cut against the rectangle, which is jet black and suspended above a prison cell anchoring the
link between black ethnicity and imprisonment
Cinematography
The camera shots change:
- Long shot so that we can get to see the entire location
- Medium angle puts the focus on the person in the scene
- Close ups allow audiences to have a look at the person’s facial expressions where they could
pick up more messages from and understand the character’s emotions
“But a method of having black and brown bodies fill them”
US prison system created modern day slave culture populated by non-whites
= confront and break stereotype by sending the message of equality
“Forgive them father, they know this knot is undone”
Word play ‘not’ and ‘knot’
, = referring to the idea of ropes used in lynching and Jesus’ final words when being crucified
Mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience
Used to reinforce black culture - e.g. when one of the musicians is scene playing an African drum
All the characters are dressed in 'normal' outdoor wear which you see in America which could be
represent they are the same as everyone else
They have used low-key lighting to create the mood as this music video isn't intended to create a
bright, happy feel as they are talking about black life struggles and inequalities
Significance of the constantly moving camera
It sows different parts of the location so audiences get to see the setting and that would also convey
messages to them (e.g. when they showed a prison cell)
The camera work also constantly changes as different singers come into the song
Another reason for the camera constantly moving is so that they can feature all the artists involved
in the music video
Black and White video
Creates a dull and serious atmosphere, which sets the mood for the music video as they’re carrying
out a serious message
It could also be because they are talking about things in the past such as the 13th and how they
believe things still haven’t really changed years down the line
Social significance
LTTF is part of an album entitled ‘Black America Again’
- A call to social action that asks its audience to stand up and be counted
The video’s setting explicitly connects to the social issues
- Which Is also evident with the lyric ‘Institution ain’t just a building’ ‘new Jim Crow’
= He’s gazed upon by white females, woman in the white sheets remain enigmatic
Cultural significance
Race issues and an aesthetic lineage
- Which goes back through Maya Angelou “the caged bird sings for freedom”
- and Billie Holiday “Southern trees we hung from”
The song/video are connected to documentary 13th
