Gavin's Similar Text Analysis

50 Cent- I Get Money

I get money is a rap song off 50 cent’s third album “Curtis”. It is an iron fisted code to living large. In this song the artist talks about the large amounts of wealth he has and many ways of which he spends it. This song is a representation of the artist’s power< dominance and control over the rap industry. He also lyrically explains that all of his wealth has not come from his rap career but other ventures such as vitamin water. The video for this single was made initially as a promotion video for the Internet to create a buzz for his upcoming album, however it eventually made its way onto television.

At the beginning of the video there s an onscreen flame along with an audio snippet of an explosion, the explosion introduces the large letters across the screen which spells out “50 Cent”. This states the artist of the song. We also hear a voice which says “this guy has a lot of money man”. This is an early example of what message that this song and video will be portraying. We are introduced with large green letters that say the song title “I Get Money”, the colour green is to represent the American green dollar which also represents his wealth. The type of colour and font used stands out from the background. The word are also backlight which make the title look more important.

As the intro ends the opening to the video is started with a birthday cake made up of stacks of dollar bills and among it all are the candles which are numbers “5” and “0”. As the camera then pulls out we see that 50 cent has blown out the candles with a fan made up of hundred dollar bills. This opening is a good example of a convention that is seen in many rap videos; that being the appearance of large sums of money. This represents the amount of wealth that 50 Cent possesses. Then as the song begins with the repeated words “I Get Money”, an onscreen display of lyrics that match the vocals is seen along the top and bottom of the black straps.

As the words are repeated with matching visuals of the lyrics we are presented with an array of fast shot scenes which compile of the artist along with various members of the rap group “G-Unit” violently bouncing around with the beat of the song. This portrays a very masculine image to the viewers and represents the power 50 Cent has along with his group.

The music genre of Hip-Hop is very clear though the early images of the video. The conventions of good looking women, exhibiting seductive behaviour is present. There are many medium and close up shots of 50 Cent as he repeats the words “I, I get it”. The cuts are very fast and ar parallel with the speed of the words. In the first verse of the song he has a visual performance that matches his lyrics. As he says “ have a baby by me baby, be a millionaire , I’ll write the check before the baby comes, who the fuck cares”, onscreen there is a women standing next to 50 Cent whilst he holds up a child then it cuts to the women holding up a cheque to the screen with the artist name on it. Then as the bass beats the camera gets closer to the cheque so his name can be eventually seen.

As the verse goes on there is illuminated writing that appears along the bottom and top of the black screen. It is used as an advertising tool and persuasive tool in this video. For example in the end of the verse “pay attention stupid” comes up which noticeable attracts the attention of viewers to the action on the screen. Then as an advertising tool it is used to promote many Hip-Hop Djs which are known to the fans and viewers.

As the video progresses we see another audio visual link when he says “I bake the bread”, we see 50 cent rips open a loaf of bread. In the hip-hop culture, the word bread is used to represent money, so bread is money. This convention video is used to maintain the audience’s interest and put a message across clearly. In this case is used to illustrate that 50 Cent posses his humour in his lyrics. Then immediately it cuts to another shot where the straps along the bottom message to all viewers, that being “this is hip-hop”. By doing this it is ultimately telling the audience that the artist creates real hip-hop therefore bettering his image in the hip-hop community as a rapper.

Then the second verse he states that “I got rid of my old bitch, now I got new hoes”, as the lyrics are said three images are split on the screen with 50 Cent with three different girls beside him. This is an reinforcement of the hip –hop video convention that good looking women are always apparent. By using the effect of three separated images on the screen at once is that the viewers see he means what he says and that he can get any girl he wants. This shows his characteristics of being dominant, muscling and wealthy. Women are being represented as an accessory, given a degrading name, as hip-hop culture are criticized for there vision of woman as being a pleasurement or a toy.

We then see another employment of the advertising and promotion side of the video. Where the straps along the bottom if the screen displays the illuminated words “Curtis is coming”, which is 50 Cent’s third album which was soon to hit stores. Whenever the text appears it is always colour co-ordinated with the main colour and so was the clothing the artist and the women are wearing, along with a blue Lamborghini, this also being a representation of his wealth.

As we approach halfway the lyrics and again accompanied by matching video, when he states “I’ll make your whole click break dance”, we see a man performing break dance moves. Break dancing is very popular in the hip-hop culture and is used to symbolise that in this video. Then we get a shot of 50 Cent alone with the words “I’m #1”, this is to reinforce that he is the best at what he does. Then we get the words “I’m still undefeated” “undisputed”, this is more of an aggressive and physical notion. Because undefeated and undisputed are words normally associated with more physical sports which require masculine power and strength. Therefore in this case undefeated is used to signify that no one has yet beat him in the hip-hop industry and undisputed is used to reiterate that he has accomplished all there is to accomplished.



We are then presented with 50 Cent and four other women clinging onto his body, whilst the background is decorated with his upcoming album cover. The use of women in this shot is to show that he is desired by women and he can also acquire women. The camera then closes in on his chain. The use of chains around rappers necks are used to show their wealth and style it is used in almost every hip-hop video as a key convention. Then once he chain is in clear sight the next shot is within the chains pendant. As it gets closer we can see the chain is of a television with another shot. The television is then blown up into full screen. This editing technique is used as a wow factor. It creates a more special edit rather than just a plain cut.

We then are presented with a woman fanning 50 Cent with a wad if dollar bills, this image is used o represent his wealth hence the title “I Get Money”, and his constant company of women. As the shot cuts to 50 Cent wearing a bullet-proof vest with the words “I Run New-York” are presented along the top and bottom straps. The bullet-proof vests shows his hard, gangster image that he has and probably will still go through violent situations. The text is used to show that he is still the best rapper in New-York and that his power is so great he alone dominates the cities hip-hop scene.

Then as the last chorus starts we are shown various shots that are cut along with the repeating kick from the beat. The shots contain the artist along with a large mob of men. They are all dressed similarly and have cameos in which other famous rappers and Dj’s are present. The cameos are used to show that they are well connected with other big Dj’s and rappers. Then as a high pitched synthesizer is used in the beat which eventually drowns out it portrays a slow motion experience which is represented by a woman on the floor wiping her hand across in front of her face, and is slowed down to match the beat. Finally as the upbeat chorus comes to an end, 50 Cent turns his back on the camera and walks away from the screen. At this time the wall behind is decorated in the album cover in which the single is used to promote, also on the back of his bullet-proof vest is an image of him wearing a crown suggesting he is “King 50”, this is another representation of his power and dominance in the hip-hop scene.