Eminem - Guilty Conscience ft. Dr. Dre
In my own research I used all these narrative theories above to evaluate 'Guilty Conscience'.
Throughout the music video there are 3 main different characters with different roles. These 3 characters are called:
- Eddy a 23 year old fed up with life, he plays the princess role as he's in danger of entering a life of robbery unless he can be saved - Eddy's conscience struggles before robbing a 'liquor store'; Dre who plays the Hero role and tries to make Eddy make the morally right choice while Slim (Shady) who plays the villain who tries to get Eddy to rob the liquor store. Thankfully the Hero comes out on top and saves the princess from entering a life of crime.
- Stan a 21 year old whos the princess in danger of making a bad life choice - Stan's conscience fights over whether 'taking advantage of a 15 year at a party. Once again Slim, the villain, attempts to make the hero make the bad choice. Meanwhile Dre isn't as successful as Slim this time as the villain wins and Stan makes the bad choice.
- Grady a 29 year old construction worker who comes home from work to find his wife cheating - Grady's conscience battles here as its the final battle between the helper and villain as the villain wants to take the extreme route of killing his wife and the man she was sleeping with. Dre tries his hardest to find a peaceful route but eventually gives him and agrees with the villain making Dre turn out to be a 'false hero' in the final situation.
In this song the two main characters (Eminem and Dre) wears baggy pants in each of the three character scenes. This is the stereo typical sort of pants that got labelled to rappers. The lyrics have a close relation to what happens in the music video. Proof of this is when in the first verse when the narrator says that 'Eddie' was about to 'rob a liquor store' until 'his conscience comes into play'. This shows that he's going to doubt his decision and change his mind. There is also a strong relationship between the audio and visuals as the audio is telling the story that the visuals shows. There are close ups of both Eminem and Dre each time they rap their view on each situation. This is to show the intensity and conflict in the characters conscience between their 'good' and 'bad' sides. The Notion of looking is always who's the centre of attention whether it's Eminem/Dre or who is mentioned in the lyrics. An example of this is when they talk about how ole the store clerk is they show the store clerk.
The meaning of this video is perhaps to show how you should think about stuff before you do it and how bad some of the decisions made in the video are.
The performance narrative concept is just showing each scenario so the audience can visualise the scenario the characters are in.
Lyrics
Meet Eddie, twenty-three-years-old
Fed up with life and the way things are going, he decides to rob a liquor store
("I can't take this no more, I can't take it no more homes")
But on his way in, he has a sudden change of heart
And suddenly, his conscience comes into play
("Shit is mine, I gotta do this, gotta do this")
[Dr. Dre]
Alright, stop! (Huh?)
Now before you walk in the door
Of this liquor store
And try to get money out the drawer
You better think of the consequence
(But who are you?)
I'm your motherfuckin' conscience
[Eminem]
That's nonsense!
Go in, gaffle the money and run to one of your aunt's cribs
And borrow a damn dress, and one of her blonde wigs
Tell her you need a place to stay
You'll be safe for days
If you shave your legs with Renee's razor blades
[Dr. Dre]
Yeah but if it all goes through like it's supposed to
The whole neighborhood knows you and they'll expose you
Think about it before you walk in the door first
Look at the store clerk, she's older than George Burns
[Eminem]
Fuck that! Do that shit! Shoot that bitch!
Can you afford to blow this shit? Are you that rich?
Why you give a fuck if she dies? Are you that bitch?
Do you really think she gives a fuck if you have kids?
[Dr. Dre (Eminem)]
Man, don't do it, it's not worth it to risk it!
(You're right!)
Not over this shit (Stop!) Drop the biscuit (I will!)
Don't even listen to Slim yo, he's bad for you
(You know what Dre? I don't like your attitude)
("It's alright c'mon, just come in here for a minute")
("Mmm, I don't know!")
("Look baby")
("Damn!")
("Yo, it's gonna be alright, right?")
("Well OK.")
Meet Stan, twenty-one-years-old
("Give me a kiss!")
After meeting a young girl at a rave party, things start getting hot and heavy in an upstairs bedroom
Once again, his conscience comes into play
("Shit!")
[Eminem (Dr. Dre)]
Now listen to me, while you're kissing her cheek
And smearing her lipstick, I slipped this in her drink
Now all you gotta do is nibble on this little bitch's earlobe
(Yo! This girl's only fifteen years old
You shouldn't take advantage of her, that's not fair)
Yo, look at her bush. Does it got hair? (Uh huh!)
Fuck this bitch right here on the spot bare
'Til she passes out and she forgot how she got there
(Man, ain't you ever seen that one movie Kids?)
No, but I seen the porno with Son Doobiest!
(Shit, you wanna get hauled off to jail?)
Man fuck that, hit that shit raw dawg and bail
Here I lay
(Damn it feels good to be home)
Meet Grady, a twenty-nine-year-old construction worker
After coming home from a hard day's work, he walks in the door of his trailer park home to find his wife in bed with another man
("What the fuck?!")
("Grady!")
[Dr. Dre (Eminem)]
Alright calm down, relax, start breathing
[Eminem]
Fuck that shit, you just caught this bitch cheatin'
While you at work she's with some dude trying to get off?!
Fuck slitting her throat, cut this bitch's head off!
[Dr. Dre]
Wait! What if there's an explanation for this shit?
(What? She tripped? Fell? Landed on his dick?!)
Alright Shady, maybe he's right Grady
But think about the baby before you get all crazy
[Eminem (Dr. Dre)]
Okay! Thought about it, still wanna stab her?
Grab her by the throat, get your daughter and kidnap her?
That's what I did, be smart, don't be a retard
You gonna take advice from somebody who slapped Dee Barnes?!
(What you say?)
What's wrong? Didn't think I'd remember?
(I'mma kill you motherfucker!)
[Eminem]
Uh-ha! Temper temper!
Mr. Dre? Mr. N.W.A.?
Mr. AK comin' straight outta Compton y'all better make way?
How in the fuck you gonna tell this man not to be violent?
[Dr. Dre]
'Cause he don't need to go the same route that I went
Been there, done that. Aw fuck it
What am I saying? Shoot em both Grady, where's your gun at?
Token- Exception
Throughout this song there are a few characters but all of them have a obvious roles.
The 'Hero' role is played by Token. Token could be seen as a hero as he's sympathising for 'Andy', who could be seen as the princess that needs saving. Whilst sympathising him, Token talks about saving him by stepping in to stop the two bullies. These two bullies play the obvious villain as they bully Andy constantly. However right at the end both Andy and Token could be seen as the 'False hero'. This is because one day Andy turns up to school late and pulls a handgun out of his pocket and shoots the 'villains' to defeat them, although this could make him look like the hero for defeating the villains; he also shoots Token as he notices him watching him being bullied everyday but never steps in. This makes them both appear as a false hero as Andy kills Token who wanted to help but at the same time token could have helped numerous times and never did making him also fit the false hero role.
In the photo below it gives a example of when the two villains are bullying Andy and Token see's it but ignores it as the shot is in tokens point of view.
The Genre character characteristics in this music video is once again the rapper in a hoodie and jeans following the general codes and conventions of rap.
The relationship between visuals and lyrics are very close as once again it tells the story of a victim of bullying and Token's view on the situation. For example when Token describes the classroom without the victim in it. - "The next day Andy didn't show up to school and I was nervous, he always came to this class, I wonder what was the purpose"
The relationship between visuals and audio is also very close as you see the situation of 'Andy' being bullied through Tokens eyes with his description of each situation.
This song is full of close ups of both Andy and Token. Andy to show who's the centre of the song and Token to show its a serious and intense situation/story.
Notion of looking is constantly on either Token, Andy or the two bullies. One scene is through the bullies eyes looking down on Andy showing he's the one with power in the situation.
The intertextuality/ meaning is that if you witness bullying you should always tell someone about and if you don't speak about it you're as bad as the bullies are.
The performance narrative concept could be to do with a real life situation he's experienced maybe and regrets not telling someone about as Token just witnessed a person he knows get bullied.
Lyrics
There they go again, harassing this kid so easily
His name is Andy, he grew up right down the street from me
I barely know him though, I just see him in school while passing me
Usually followed by two kids giggling in back of him
I don't know why I feel the need to interfere and I'll be honest
The kid is obviously a little weird
He's got a stutter, plus always talks to himself, but it is clear to me they shouldn't mess with him
He probably wishes they'd disappear
Like yeah hes different, so?
He ain't causing harm to anyone
Yeah he might annoy them, not on purpose though
He's never done something intentionally offensive like these other kids
Like yelling "stop being a retard!" when they see him mumbling
Or called him a faggot when he's saying something awkward
Yeah, he lives with it, but he shouldn't have too any longer
He's just a kid like any of us
Matter of fact, next time I see him I'm gonna say something and have his back
[Verse 2]
The next day ain't any better, they're abusing him
Everyday gets worse 'cause people accept it as they become used to it
And he don't stand up but what can you do with that hate against you
You call 'em out, he's called a spaz with some anger issues
They hear but they don't listen, senseless
They're hearing that bullies are everywhere thinking that here must be the exception
But it's so alive and its so true
They got open eyes but they don't view
They got growing minds that they don't use
And its pulverizing our whole youth
But to be honest, most of these bullies don't mean any harm
They're just kids like any of us, they like to be in charge
They like attention, but just lack guidance in getting it
So they put others down, none of us are always innocent
But that don't make it right, cause again I'm watching Andy get tortured by two of his peers with no reason in sight
And I know he knows I watch and he sees me paying attention
And It's getting worse and worse, I hope he knows that I respect him
[Verse 3]
The next day Andy didn't show up to school and I was nervous
He always came to this class, I wonder what was the purpose
The same class had the two kids who been messing with him
But without a target, both of them just blended right in
Twenty minutes later, the class was pretty quiet
As Andy walks through the door, he was shaking and crying
As all heads slowly in sync turned, he pauses
Then pulls a pistol out of his front pocket
The girls screamed, the boys sat there terrified
Nobody expected this but everyone knew the reason why
And before anyone could say something fully
Within seconds, two bullets flew into his bullies
More screams as the bodies collapsed
I felt I should say something cause I was the only one who had his back
I said "It's over Andy, they're dead! You had you're wish!"
He turned to me and said "You? You were the third on my list"
Joyner Lucas - Ross Capicchioni
Throughout this song there are very few characters but very clear characters. One of the two main characters is a new kid to the area called 'Ross Capicchioni' which we know as the song is based on the real Ross Capicchioni story. He plays the princess role as when he joins a new school he's getting picked on and bullied by his fellow classmates until the hero appears, this is the other main character that eventually gets introduced to Ross's family. He plays the hero as he defends Ross from other kids at school who try to jump him until he steps in and defends Ross. Ross eventually gets a car and takes this 'hero' out for a ride while being directed. When he gets to a abandoned house where the 'hero' gets out the car with the car keys and drags Ross out the car. At this point we identify him as a false hero. When Ross is on the floor the false hero gets a shotgun and shoots Ross 3 times - once in his arm, his body, and attempts to shoot his head but Ross pushes it away just in time.
The genre characteristics in this video is clearly shown as once again the characters wear hoodies and baggy jeans following once again stereotypes for the 'rap' genre. Also there are scenes of fighting following the 'aggressive' stereotypes of rap.
The relationship between the visuals and lyrics are once again close as the visuals follow the story in the lyrics throughout this narrative music video.
There is a slight relationship between the music and the visuals as towards the end the shotgun shots are used as part of the beat to show how harsh the story in the song is.
There are a few close ups of Ross and the false hero through each of their eyes as you see each of their sides of the story.
The notion of looking once again is through both Ross's eyes in the first half of the video and through the false hero's eyes in the second half so you can see both perspectives on what occurs.
The intertextuality in this song is reference to a real life event that happened on June 6th 2007 as it says at the start of the video.
The performance narrative concept for this song is to tell the story of a real life event that occurred to the real Ross Cappicchioni, to tell his story and how he survived this 'Gang initiation'.
