Common Letter to the free
1) What other projects has Common been involved in over recent years?
A project that "Common" has been involved in is the Tribeca Film Festival, where a onger version of the "Letter to the Free" video was debuted.
2) What is the 13th Amendment of the American Constitution?
This is the article that states that slavery is illegal and is unaccepted, including involuntary servitude.
3) What were the Black Codes?
These were laws followed by Southern State during the post Civil War period,which were made to try oppress black people by restricting their freedom, and making them work for les money.
4) Why do people suggest that the legacy of slavery is still a crucial aspect to American culture 150 years after it was abolished by the 13th Amendment?
This is due to the use of the term "criminal," which in actual fact was only a label, which restricted their freedom, whereas they were effectively still slaves, but with a different name.
5) Why was Ava DuVernay inspired to make the Netflix documentary 13th?
Ava DuVernay was inspired by the legacy of the 13th Amendment and focuses on this. Although, there were loopholes which continues the enslavement of black people, despite the 13th amendment being introduced.
6) Focusing on genre, what was the most significant time period for the rise in political hip hop?
It can be argued that the most important period of hip hop was it's rise, which was around the late '80s and '90s, and included artists like Big Daddy Kane, Mo D and N.W.A.
7) Common talks about other current artists that have a political or protest element to their music. Who are they? Are there any other hip hop artists that you are aware of that have a strong political element to their work?
The other artists mentioned in the interview with Billboard are: Chance the Rapper, from Chicago,and Kendrick Lamar, from Compton Los Angeles. Other artists with substantial political influence include: Dave, Eminem.
8) What album is Letter to the Free taken from? What was the critical reception for this album? You'll need to research this - the Wikipedia entry for the album is a good place to start.
"Letter to the Free" is from the album "Black America Again." This album has been critically acclaimed, receiving an 88/100. It has been said to be an album that you really need to listen to, and as not for the casual listener, perhaps meaning that there is a deeper meaning, which relates back to the title of the album, and Common's intent behind that name.
Close-textual analysis and representation
Re-watch the music video several times to complete the following tasks in specific detail:
1) How does the Letter to the Free music video use cinematography to create meanings for the audience? (Camera shots and movement).
The cinematography of the video is quite sombre, perhaps to go with the theme of enprisonment and that there is some sort of message about black freedom in todays society, in that maybe hes's trying to say that it isn't substancial or noticeable enough. Furthermore the slow paced video could be representative of a slow paced reveal of what life for the "criminals," that were wrongly incarcerated and kept away from society.
2) What is the significance of the constantly moving camera?
The slightly shaky camera could be to try and give the audience a more immersive experience, making them feel like they are actually walking through the prison as the cinematics go on.
3) Why is the video in black and white?
The video could have been in black and white may have been used to portray the mass incarceration of black people in contemporary societies, as we look to be in a slightly modernised prison, as well as the incarceration of black people in the past. Furthermore, it can be argued that the black and white gives the video a more serious and mature tone to it, which I think captivates the reader attention and forces them to think about this topic in a more intellectual manor.
4) How is mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience - prison setting, costume, props, lighting, actor placement?
The actors are separated in different room, this could have been done to create thi idea of unification trough the music a they all play together. In addition to this, this may have been done as it allows for full focus on all of the different performers, perhaps signifying that there is a vast amount of meaning in this song.
5) Focusing on the track, what are the key lyrics that suggest the political message of the song?
"We staring in the face of hate again, the same hate they say will make america great again." This is a direct link to Donald Trump and his racist supporters whom believe that immigration is not a good thing, ass clear through the hatred being distributed to other races and ethnicity.
6) What is the significance of the floating black square motif? Discuss your own interpretations alongside Common's explanation of it in the Billboard feature linked above.
The floating black square has said to be representing a black person, from Common as he says in the interview "It represents the infinite thing about blackness and blackness can't be defined in time or space" The black square can also represent freedom and Commons interpretation of black freedom as in the end we look to see a field, thinking the black square is free, but in actual fact it looks more like a field for a slave, therefore Common could be saying that black people aren't fully free yet.
7) How does the video reference racism, slavery and the oppression of black culture? Make reference to specific shots, scenes or moments in the video.
The video makes reference to racism during multiple prison shots, where there is writing on the walls, one of which that says "No Excessive noise," this could be referring to black power and the idea that America doesn't want to see it, the same way that there is meant to be no noise in that prison area.
8) How can Gilroy's idea of black diasporic identity be applied to Common's Letter to the Free?
This can be applied through the idea that all of the musicians are separated from each other, this can be symbolic of the oppression that is being dealt with today, and there is this idea of unity through race as well as the music. Also, it can be argued that this song is an example of resistance to white culture and capitalism as Common cries for freedom and explains whats wrong with contemporary politics.
9) What other theories of race and ethnicity can be applied to this video? E.g. Hall, Rose or Dyson.
Dyson's idea that hip hop doesn't get enough credit is very clear in this music video as it is part of the minority of contemporary hip hop that really focuses on a meaningful topic, compared to the majority of hip hop today, which focuses more on fast cars and money.
10) What current events in America and worldwide are referenced in the song and video?
"Shot me with your ray-gun and now you want to trump me". This quote is a clear link to Donald Trump and his presidency as he has been arguably the most controversial president ever, not only because of his behaviour, but because of his actions against immigration. He also references mass incarecration of black people throughout the song in the lyrics.
A project that "Common" has been involved in is the Tribeca Film Festival, where a onger version of the "Letter to the Free" video was debuted.
2) What is the 13th Amendment of the American Constitution?
This is the article that states that slavery is illegal and is unaccepted, including involuntary servitude.
3) What were the Black Codes?
These were laws followed by Southern State during the post Civil War period,which were made to try oppress black people by restricting their freedom, and making them work for les money.
4) Why do people suggest that the legacy of slavery is still a crucial aspect to American culture 150 years after it was abolished by the 13th Amendment?
This is due to the use of the term "criminal," which in actual fact was only a label, which restricted their freedom, whereas they were effectively still slaves, but with a different name.
5) Why was Ava DuVernay inspired to make the Netflix documentary 13th?
Ava DuVernay was inspired by the legacy of the 13th Amendment and focuses on this. Although, there were loopholes which continues the enslavement of black people, despite the 13th amendment being introduced.
6) Focusing on genre, what was the most significant time period for the rise in political hip hop?
It can be argued that the most important period of hip hop was it's rise, which was around the late '80s and '90s, and included artists like Big Daddy Kane, Mo D and N.W.A.
7) Common talks about other current artists that have a political or protest element to their music. Who are they? Are there any other hip hop artists that you are aware of that have a strong political element to their work?
The other artists mentioned in the interview with Billboard are: Chance the Rapper, from Chicago,and Kendrick Lamar, from Compton Los Angeles. Other artists with substantial political influence include: Dave, Eminem.
8) What album is Letter to the Free taken from? What was the critical reception for this album? You'll need to research this - the Wikipedia entry for the album is a good place to start.
"Letter to the Free" is from the album "Black America Again." This album has been critically acclaimed, receiving an 88/100. It has been said to be an album that you really need to listen to, and as not for the casual listener, perhaps meaning that there is a deeper meaning, which relates back to the title of the album, and Common's intent behind that name.
Close-textual analysis and representation
Re-watch the music video several times to complete the following tasks in specific detail:
1) How does the Letter to the Free music video use cinematography to create meanings for the audience? (Camera shots and movement).
The cinematography of the video is quite sombre, perhaps to go with the theme of enprisonment and that there is some sort of message about black freedom in todays society, in that maybe hes's trying to say that it isn't substancial or noticeable enough. Furthermore the slow paced video could be representative of a slow paced reveal of what life for the "criminals," that were wrongly incarcerated and kept away from society.
2) What is the significance of the constantly moving camera?
The slightly shaky camera could be to try and give the audience a more immersive experience, making them feel like they are actually walking through the prison as the cinematics go on.
3) Why is the video in black and white?
The video could have been in black and white may have been used to portray the mass incarceration of black people in contemporary societies, as we look to be in a slightly modernised prison, as well as the incarceration of black people in the past. Furthermore, it can be argued that the black and white gives the video a more serious and mature tone to it, which I think captivates the reader attention and forces them to think about this topic in a more intellectual manor.
4) How is mise-en-scene used to construct meaning for the audience - prison setting, costume, props, lighting, actor placement?
The actors are separated in different room, this could have been done to create thi idea of unification trough the music a they all play together. In addition to this, this may have been done as it allows for full focus on all of the different performers, perhaps signifying that there is a vast amount of meaning in this song.
5) Focusing on the track, what are the key lyrics that suggest the political message of the song?
"We staring in the face of hate again, the same hate they say will make america great again." This is a direct link to Donald Trump and his racist supporters whom believe that immigration is not a good thing, ass clear through the hatred being distributed to other races and ethnicity.
6) What is the significance of the floating black square motif? Discuss your own interpretations alongside Common's explanation of it in the Billboard feature linked above.
The floating black square has said to be representing a black person, from Common as he says in the interview "It represents the infinite thing about blackness and blackness can't be defined in time or space" The black square can also represent freedom and Commons interpretation of black freedom as in the end we look to see a field, thinking the black square is free, but in actual fact it looks more like a field for a slave, therefore Common could be saying that black people aren't fully free yet.
7) How does the video reference racism, slavery and the oppression of black culture? Make reference to specific shots, scenes or moments in the video.
The video makes reference to racism during multiple prison shots, where there is writing on the walls, one of which that says "No Excessive noise," this could be referring to black power and the idea that America doesn't want to see it, the same way that there is meant to be no noise in that prison area.
8) How can Gilroy's idea of black diasporic identity be applied to Common's Letter to the Free?
This can be applied through the idea that all of the musicians are separated from each other, this can be symbolic of the oppression that is being dealt with today, and there is this idea of unity through race as well as the music. Also, it can be argued that this song is an example of resistance to white culture and capitalism as Common cries for freedom and explains whats wrong with contemporary politics.
9) What other theories of race and ethnicity can be applied to this video? E.g. Hall, Rose or Dyson.
Dyson's idea that hip hop doesn't get enough credit is very clear in this music video as it is part of the minority of contemporary hip hop that really focuses on a meaningful topic, compared to the majority of hip hop today, which focuses more on fast cars and money.
10) What current events in America and worldwide are referenced in the song and video?
"Shot me with your ray-gun and now you want to trump me". This quote is a clear link to Donald Trump and his presidency as he has been arguably the most controversial president ever, not only because of his behaviour, but because of his actions against immigration. He also references mass incarecration of black people throughout the song in the lyrics.
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