Wild Thoughts, Rihanna - Textual Analysis

In this essay I will be analysing the music video for Rihanna, Bryson Tiller and DJ Khaled's, Wild Thoughts. Wild Thoughts is a hip-hop rock song which features samples from "Maria Maria" by American rock band 'Santana'. It was released on June 6th 2017 so it engages a summer vibe. 



The genre for this song is Hip-hop Rock, but it will greatly come under pop as it is frequently played on the radio and is in the charts. Today, Rihanna is one of the most famous hip-hop/pop artists ever. Hip-hop is generally stereotyped with the black race. The video is filmed in 'Little Haiti' a small neighborhood in Miami, Florida. This town is closely related to the Caribbean and they even provide there own Caribbean market. This empowers the majority of the black race in this town, again relating to the hip-hop genre. 

In the opening of the video, Rihanna and DJ Khaled are shot together. Whilst Rihanna struts down the isle of the Caribbean in her off the shoulder red blouse, her right head scarf, tinted red glasses and huge gold hooped earrings. DJ Khaled is shown standing slightly behind her representing her 'side-kick' role. Rihanna strut represents her confidence in herself and her sexual body language (for example, running her hands down her body and moving her hips) demonstrates how she feels sexy and wants to show her sexual gaze. This scene uses low-key dimmed lighting however, her vibrant colored outfits and the vibrant decor of the scene creates a happy, summery feel to the opening. 

We then see a different scene with Rihanna on her own in a tropical colored room. Again, the director has tried to create a low-key, dimmed lighting but the exotic colours of the decor and Rihanna bright blue dress counteracts the dullness of the low-key lighting. We are again engaged with Rihanna sexuality as she is pranced up against the dresser with the fan blowing her hair behind her. She has created a more messy look her as she has curly, wet hair and a more casual outfit and make-up which again is portraying sexy but in a more natural way. However, she is still wearing red lipstick which is a direct indication to sex. With her pattern of off-the-shoulder blousers it is also relating to the sexualness of the video as it teasing the audience with nudity. A few seconds later, we are referred back to this scene where Rihanna has moved from the dresser to the bed which again highlights sexual gaze. 

In the split seconds between Rihanna's scenes, we are introduced to the surroundings of the scenes. It shows many local residents dancing explicitly whilst whining upon each other. These scenes are slowed-down to a slow pace to highlight and focus on the sexual, loving and happiness idea of the video. It also takes the focus away of Rihanna and shows how the people around her are also enjoying their selves too. Low-key, dimmed lighting is continuously used again but the surrounding lights make the mood feel warm and joyful. 

Bryson Tiller is also featured in the music video, he is shown sitting beside a window in low-key lighting with an orange tint which is suppose to be from the street lighting. This moves away from the happy and joyful feeling the other scenes demonstrated. It shows loneliness and despair which represents how he may have been heart-broken by Rihanna (at least that is what the act of the video is). 

The idea of him being lonely then contrasts in a following scene of him next to a flash car with DJ Khaled and loads of people surrounding him. A close-up middle shot is shown here to show his importance in the video and how he is superior. Low-key lighting is used again, however it is intended to give off a night/club, party vibe rather than a dull, depressing vibe which is normally the aim of low-key lighting. This scene shown he is liked and favoured by his surrounding crowd and it is also like DJ Khaled is potentially his body guard. 

One of the final scenes shows all 3 artists: Bryson Tiller, Rihanna and DJ Khaled all stood on a platform using a below shot to show how all three of the singers are superior to everyone else. There is also multiple fireworks being set off in the lit-up, night sky background behind the trio. All three are carelessly dancing and the camera smoothly increases closer to the trio still using a low, close up shot which builds up the audiences excitement to see the singers up close. Rihanna is situated between the middle of the two men which shows how they protect her and also how she is the main focus. 

In terms of selling the video, the director has performed a good job in creating a sexy, summer and joyful vibe video. It shows different locations in the films which keep the audience interested. When the video comes to an end it makes you want to see more of the video as the singers are so intriguing.