Michael Jackson Essay

Construct an essay:

Analyse how the Billy Jean music video by Michael Jackson represent or subvert black stereotypes of black identity.

Word count minimum 700

The music video "Billie jean" was recorded in 1982,directed by Micheal Jackson himself and Quincy jones.The song is considered to be a pop and R&B which is stereotypical for a black male artist.The pop video is upbeat and has Michael Jackson doing his iconic dances moves down the street which is also another generalisation of black people have good rhythm and are good dancers.At the beginning each cut between shots is on the beat which creates a flow of rhythm to the music.Michael Jacksons short film "Billie jean" which is a music video about love which is a stereotypical topic for the pop genre,were he sings about how a woman named Billie Jean is lying by  claiming  Jackson is the father of her child.Black men gave the stereotype of not taking responsibility for the child and that they're absent fathers.There is a relationship between the lyrics and visuals as a man is stalking Michael Jackson trying to set hi up for a crime even though he is innocent.

He was the first black artist to be played in heavy rotation on MTV, due to having the best music video production ,which then got lots of people interested and amazed at the entertaining  Pop video with a different style which then influenced other artists.In the video the music is very performances based as the camera focuses on him as he walks down the urban street.The pavement lights up as he dances which has a disco vibe and draws the attention to his dancing footwork. Everything Jackson touched turned white as though,it is purified.The floor,the homeless man changes into a white suit,the dirty bin becomes white and the bed sheets also glows which can be portrayed as 

'be careful of who you love' which implies that they have had a history together but the adjective 'careful' portrays she may be crazy which refers back to the statement he isn't the father. 'She is just a girl that claims that I am the the one'', thus has stereotypes of black men as they're seen as 'breaking young girls hearts' as they're stereotyped for messing around with girls and being emotionless as they play with their feelings.The story is linear,as the narrative is in chronological order.Although,the narrative is enigmatic as the end is left open with him being invisible but notifying the audience he is still their as the floor lights up.


Black people also have the stereotype of being criminals 'law was on her side' this creates thus portrays she got the court involved and that her plan was making him look in the wrong, 'she's in demand' it can be assumed she is a  white  female and is taken more seriously by the law as she gets sympathy,whereas Michael Jackson is looked down upon as he looks like a father who doesn't want to claim his child.Furthermore,the man stalking Jackson is also a white man who is trying to set him up negatively as they try to portray him as a bad person.The audience how get see him being happy dancing and also helping the homeless which makes the audience see Michael Jackson look innocent as he is the protagonist.Whereas,the detective is dressed in a dark outfit and is portrayed as sly and mischievous which makes him the antagonist. In addition, it is also justified as the video is argued to show voyeurism as the audience are permitted to watch him perform live in front of a billboard .Moreover the billboards are of two white females who are seen  as looking down on him thus further evoking sense of everyone "watching".