Narrative Codes in Music Videos

I will be looking at Barthes Codes in music videos that I have chosen as part of my research. This theory covers five key elements which are; Enigma, Action, Symbolic and Cultural. Enigma and action are the first two codes that allows suspense to be created in the narrative side of the music videos. The first way in which it does this is by creating unanswered questions and the second is by anticipation of an action resolution.

Enigma Code

The enigma code is the code which occurs in the narrative of a text. It essentially means that there is something in the text that has no answer as to why it is in the text or why something happens. For example in 'Whats My Name' by Rihanna and Drake, a man with dread locks holding drum sticks gets air-time for a few seconds at at time throughout the video. There is no answer and his presence is not made clear by the end of the video, therefore this is the enigma code in this particular video.

Action  Code   

The action code is where the plot events imply further action. In other words, the audience is drawn into a sequence of action and want to know the resolution but the added action draws them away from the curiosity of knowing the resolution and they are drawn into the action in return. Here is an example from the song 'Badman' by Roll Deep. In this music video, we see a group of youths arguing and the action intensifies and one character shows the opposing 'gang' a gun in his waist band. This immediately draws the audience into the action and they no longer want to know the resolution of the arguing between the two gangs.

We then see another example of action code whereby the action then escalates and the suspense from the audience's perspective increases. The boy with the gun then pulls it out and shoots and accidentally hits a young school boy who was on the other side of the road. This is the point where the audience will be shocked and they will no longer be interested in the gun that was shown earlier but now the after-affect of the shooting.

Semic Code

The semic code is essentially where a text shows a sign which describes a character, event or setting in terms of cultural stereotypes. In 'Jungle' by Professor Green and Maverick Sabre, we see a lot of shots that show youth hanging around on street corners. The audience immediately jumps to stereotypes and associates youth in hoodies with trouble. In terms of what we see in this particular shot, the boys are not doing anything wrong but naturally the audience will feel intimidated.

Symbolic Code

The symbolic code in a text is essentially where an object or sign is given to symbolise or connote something. For example, a gun symbolises power, violence etc. 

Here is an example of how symbolic code is used in 'A Milli' by Lil Wayne. Here we see Lil Wayne's security guard outside his RV stopping a fan from getting in. This symbolises how famous Lil Wayne is and the power/authority he has. 

Cultural Code

The cultural code in a text is a reference to religion or scientific material. For example, if a music video has shots from the 1900's then that is an example of cultural code in that video.

This is an example of cultural code, specifically a reference to a historic event, which is the Vietnam war. 

This song is by the rap group, Jedi Mind Tricks and the song is called 'Uncommon Valor'. The whole music video is referencing the Vietnam war with comic book-type images. The lyrics to the song constantly reference the war as well.