MC: Deconstructing Music Videos (2)

• The video for 'Pyramids' directed by Nabil Elderkin, 2012 is loaded with special effects achieved in post-production, as the video begins with the protagonist, and singer (Frank Ocean) taking four shots of absinthe, (a drink incredibly high in alcohol content) and his intoxicated journey unravels as the rest of the video progresses. 
• The video is strong amplification of the lyrics, and is more freestyle when it comes to the subject matters, relying on visual imagery to connote the drugged/alcohol intoxication.
•  Effects consist of blurring, and ghosting of moving images, demonstrated by the motion of the motorbike and the character laughing hysterically.

• The video makes references to popular culture, and the audience’s current preconceptions about the consistent references to ‘the pyramid’ are eye-opened. Of course there is a clear play on Egyptian history, with reference to the ancient queen, Cleopatra. But the name refers to a character, who works at the Pyramid club, located in the East Village of Manhattan, New York. 
•  It promoted drag and gay scenes during the 80s, and progressed in reputation from then.  The shots in the video that have a glowing neon blue pyramid feature strippers in slow motion, surrounding the protagonist, dancing and indulging in acts of whipping, whilst being lavished in dollar bills. The women’s faces are time stretched through editing and modulate with makeup, embellishing their cheekbones heavily. This makes these characters look mal-nourished and emit a primal ambience.

• The video contributes a lot conventionally to the artist’s current meta-narrative. He is heavily based on retrospective imagery. This is used in the video through the use of neon lighting and a classic old-looking American strip club.

• At the end of the video, John Mayer makes a cameo appearance, in front of a huge neon pyramid, performing a guitar solo. It contributes to the hallucinagenic feel to the whole video, as this famous guitarist is seen as an icon by many. This could even demonstrate intertexuality of the artist, in terms of music. The modern R&B track is a game-changer for its genre.