On to the Next One Video Breakdown

So many people were/are confused about the concept of Jay-Z’s new video “On to the Next One”. I have to agree I was caught off guard as well since it was not what one would normally expect from Hov. And this is why the video was brilliant; it was off-putting at first glance. Jay-Z is “on to the next one” in every sense. Not only did he drop his record label and has a multi-billion dollar franchise, he is moving away from what rappers stereotypically do in videos; focus on video vixens, flaunt their wealth and material possessions, etc. Lyrically Jay-Z conveyed his thoughts and opinions about today’s’ society, but it was symbolism in his video that highlighted his out-of-this-world artistry.

For all you confused souls out there here is our Sparknotes.

Themes and Symbols

1. New Mentality

"Used to rock a throwback

Ballin on the corner

Now I rock a tailored suit

Lookin like a owner"

Moving away from fast money and hood dreams and becoming a businessman in corporate America. He’s his own boss. A white man is no longer cutting the checks. He burns dice and basketballs- the infamous game of Cee-lo and such is done. No more taking chances with the “game” The game is up in flames. The empty basketball dreams of the hood and the need to make fast money is obsolete. You can’t take chances; you have to do better. Find new and better ways to make your money.

Skulls

Skulls are usually a symbol of death and having no substance. If you pay close attention to the color of the skulls you might think a little differently. During the beginning of the video when the song says “ if you want my old s*** buy my old albums” a white skull is shown. They represent record labels; the ones he was bounded by and were responsible for his old albums. He now has his own label.

That skull is followed by a black skull with black paint falling on it before this verse :

“Fuck a throwback jersey

Cause we on to the next one

And fuck that auto-tune

Cause we ooooon

And niggas don't be mad

Cause it's all about progression

Loiterers should be arrested

It symbolizes the Black man and the black mentality. Like mentioned before and reinforced in the verse. The cords represent music; like beats. On “fxck that autotune” they stop. Everyone uses autotone now making the same type of music, solely to make money, and that’s not what the industry should be about. “Its all about progression, Loiterers should be arrested” Hip hop was starting to become too commercial, everything was sounding the same, no one was progressing just like people who stay in the hood. If you are loitering you are idle, not moving, and therefore not progressing and in Jay’s eyes that’s punishable by law. Its not about cars, clothes, and hoes… sorry Trey.

Finally there is a black skull with white paint falling on it symbolizing thee white mentality. Using corporate America to our advantage that out the hood and into a corporate office success story everyone wants to be.

2. Racism

"I used to drink Cristal

Them fuckers racist

So I switched gold bottles

Onto that spade shit"

When the song says “racist” 3 bottles of white milk are shown. He is speaking to people to step up their game because black culture is being exploited and we are all victims just buying into it commercially (hence the shoes) because at the end of the day the same stereotypes exists and some suited exec ends up pocketing the money. He is firing shots at the racist industry which is why he might have chosen to have white people with black lips and makeup on. (blackface in reverse perhaps?)

The character that looks like the joker symbolizes haters. Corporate America that is not too pleased with the progression of the Black man. How do we know? The character is constantly frustrated throughout the video (see 3:25 of the video) and he is in a suit, none of the other characters are dressed as such.

He is definitely firing shots in this video… literally

Opportunities

Those random inkblot looking things reminded me of the Rorschach personality test. Maybe it takes someone special to see something different, the same way true success comes from being unique.

"Big pimpin in the house now

Bought the land tore the mufuckin house down

Bought the car tore the mufuckin roof off

Ride clean, I don't never take the shoes off

Bought the jeep tore the mufuckin doors off

Foot out that bitch ride the shit like a skateboard

Navigation on tryna find my next thrill "

JayZ has built his empire on the land HE earned and worked for. “Never take the shoes off” always staying at #1. He jumped at the opportunities that came his way. Just like shawty in the video. They’re warriors.

These were just some ideas and theories we talked about. Maybe we are completely off, maybe you are skeptical to believe it but watch the video and observe what imagery is placed with what lyrics and the pieces all seem to come together.

Rolling with the Punches

She's holds it in within her skin

the sin of a man who didn't give a damn

but always lended a hand

to her

Sending mixed signals to a naive individual

slowly converting her into a doll.

A doll that pretended to be perfection

yet let herself be played with

but that by the brown hair on her head

swore she was playing the game right back

but wasn't

she had no idea of it

she was fooling herself.

And as she speaks her tales of misery,

she speaks them hesitantly

for the reader might identify with her story

with that man

her love...

-- From "Copyrights & Trademarks"

Rolling with the Punches

Hall of Languages Room 202

Wed. 12/9/09 7pm

Make Wise Choices - Stupak Amendment

Today I opened my email and was informed that there will be a “rally on the quad on Wed., Dec. 2nd between 10:30 Am to 12:30 PM, to show our dissatisfaction for the Stupak Amendment, that if passed will take away abortion rights for women.” Framing is EVERYTHING! When I first read this, I immediately thought that abortion had become illegal in the United States of America, after research and questions I learned other wise. According to Wikipedia, “The amendment prohibits use of Federal funds "to pay for any abortion or to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion" except in cases of rape, incest or danger to the life of the mother,[1] … It also specifically allows individuals to purchase supplementary insurance that covers other abortions.”

I am pro – choice and unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the rally for too long tomorrow. I want to see what others have to say on the issue. I myself, am on the fence with the amendment. It does not take away a woman’s choice, but it does make it more difficult to get one. A problem with teen pregnancy and other unwanted pregnancies often escalate because of the unavailability of abortions. After studying health insurance, I know that many Americans are currently under or uninsured, and adding another charge to the equation might complicate things. I do agree with the exceptions stated in the amendment and the fact that the amendment might cause for more people to be more sexually cautious. I continued to be troubled by the thought and asked my friend Alexandra Volcy, my politically aware friend, what she thought. She said:

“Safe sex is a very controversial issue within America. It's one that is often looked past very, and too quickly. For that reason women and men respectively should take extra care and precaution to avoid unwanted pregnancies. The Stupak-Pitts Amendment solely focuses on abortions by choice, not those dealing with rape, incest, or endangerment to the mother. For that reason I am in full support of the Amendment. This Amendment leaves much room for interpretation. First off, it does not ignore those that STILL want coverage for abortions, it simply states that you must buy supplemental coverage. Just like getting amazing dental health care, that would cover such luxuries as braces, abortion should be treated the same. That was a choice/mistake made by the woman/man involved, and they should see the consequences to the actions. Secondly, according to national surveys only 13% of all abortions are normally billed to private insurance companies. With that said this Amendment may not affect many women, and in fact may help them re-think their actions and responsibilities. Thirdly, those who choose to buy supplemental coverage will omit the stress of having to pay a large sum for an abortion when needed, and will let federal money to take care of it for them. Lastly, this Amendment gives those that are pro-choice and pro-life a law that supports either/or stances, which in a bi-partisan government is truly important.”

No matter what your stance, you are now more aware of what is happening. I know that I had no idea what was going on until I received the email. If you would like to voice your opinion or talk to more people on the issue you can attend the rally tomorrow:

Syracuse University Quad

Wed. December 2, 2009

10:30am – 12:30 pm

Chasing impossible Dreams

What do you perceive as beautiful? The pictures we are surrounded by and see everyday are not real images. Women constantly chase an ideal that doesn't exist, and men desire an impossible woman. So how will we ever be satisfied, if the bar has been raised too far above the humanly possible? We as a society must learn to see beautiful people as they are, without the makeup, with short lashes, under eye circles, oily skin, acne, natural hair, and the body they have been assigned. If we continue to try to alter what we are given, nothing will make us unique.

My swagga be from Maui!

"Raised in the pro-jects roaches and rats"- thats where Sonia Sotomayor is from: Bronxdale Housing Projects. From the borough of the Bronx, Sotomayor has become the 1st Hispanic to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. She exemplifies hard work, determination, and change. As a woman of a minority group and a fellow Hispanic, I can say that I am truely proud to see where our country is going, and optimistic about what may lie ahead. The opportunities are endless. Minorities are no longer minor, just in number but not in heart.

THAT Girl.

This will send chills ladies.

Why Women Should Sit Back Relax & Enjoy the Show

Wow it feels like an eternity stands between me and "Copyrights & Trademarks." My job/intership has consumed me and I feel like the only time I have to write is spent sleeping. -_- Due to a conversation I had with one of my bestfriends today, I realized that women are really all paranoid about similar things sometimes and that Im not the only one, which is a huge relief. I really thought I was in need of therapy but here goes my take on paranoia.

Men:
There are some simple rules you should follow for smooth sailing.
1. Call when you're supposed to! If you say you are gonna call back/ or later do so. Trust me we are expecting the follow up.

2. Make us feel special. We dont like to feel like the next chick. Adore us and we are happy.

3. Lastly and most importantly: WE are always right. thee end.

Now for the real reason Im writing. We all at some point feel the weight of insecurity tug at our hearts. Now, nagging seems quite obselete because all it does is annoy both parties. Him because he has to hear it, and us because he doesnt listen to it. So do everyone a favor and just keep the nagging to yourself unless you are ACTUALLY going to do something about it. Half-assed ultimatums dont really get anything accomplished.

When it comes to worrying about other girls, DONT. He is still with you for a reason. Focus on making him happy because if he is a good man he wont stray unless provoked. Yes, I know you must be thinking WTF its not all about him, but then again isnt love about making that special someone happy? ok then. If you are constantly acting like a psycho the only confession you are gonna get is that he cant be in a relationship with you anymore. As Joe Budden said: the worst thing to do to an innocent man is accuse him.

Looking through their phones. Stop it right there. If you seek, prepare to find, and that your heart can take it. In connection to point 1, dont go looking for evidence you arent going to use to convict the defendant. If you look through his phone, find something you dont like, and do nothing about it, then that was a waste of time now wasnt it? Same thing applies to any other personal communication tools such as facebook and myspace. You will only end up aggravaited.

and the big one: If he doesnt call back, answer the phone or text quickly or seems to have disappeared odds are they are a) sleeping b) away from their phone c) playing some kind of game or sport. I know we automatically think they are up to something, but unlike many of us, alot of men arent as attached to their phones as we would like, and yes they actually forget about us sometimes. They really do lay in bed all day and not call us and think it is ok. Dont start freaking out, but if this becomes a habit and you seem to be an option rather than a priority... then you might want to look into another relationship.


Thats all I have for right now, since work awaits me. Part II coming soon.
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