Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby

Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby

I have also looked at a popular song called Ice Ice Baby by a hip hop artist Vanilla Ice released on 2^nd July 1990. It also includes some elements of the Jack Swing genre. Vanilla Ice uses some music from the sound track Under Pressure by Queen and Bowie. The music video is performance-based as it focuses on Vanilla Ice performing a song about himself. The fun nature of the song implies that it will not only be focused at hip hop audiences, but also party atmospheres and people of all ages as shown in the video. Throughout the music video there are several visual images which reflect the lyrics of the soundtrack. The graffiti design saying ‘Ice Ice Baby’ is matched in time with the lyrics, certain dance moves appear each time the lyrics designed to match them are stated in the soundtrack. The sound track also matches the visuals of the music video for example at the start of the music video when the spray can is being used on the wall the sound of a spray can is also heard. The pace of editing in the music video operates at a fast pace so that it is suited to the beat of the music this also permits some parallel editing to take place between the dance moves and the singing of lyrics on the sound track. There are a few special effects used, Vanilla Ice’s appears cropped into the foreground of a few scenes in the music video which gives him the main focus in the video. This is done in the studio and over the back drop of the city buildings. Vanilla Ice and his dancers appear against the back drop of the city sky scrapers and their lights which emphasises the youth and liveliness Vanilla Ice portrays in the city and also of the sound track. Special Effects are also used to completely change the colour and appear of the scenes, the audience see two gold silhouettes a male and a female dancing and enjoying themselves to the soundtrack against a calm blue background, the video and the colours used show vibrancy and energy. The dancing is displayed using 360 shots, panning shots, tracking and close-ups. The dancers are also seen using an overhead shot which presents the dance routines in a creative manner.  The dance moves often appear using high angles which make the audience feel that the dance moves are quite complex and very energetic. It creates an urge for the audience to join in an dance to gain this happy feeling. The lyrics of the chorus also are repetitive so encourage audience participation and enjoyment.  Vanilla Ice’s youth is also evident in the video as he drives around in a convertible car aiming to get female attention. Vanilla Ice and the other males attraction to the other sex is made clear in the video, the first shot of the female which the audience see are heels, the camera then moves up across her body showing her clothing which is tight and revealing; she is also wearing make-up. This video like many others portrays females as an object or prize. High-lighting and focused lighting appears on Vanilla Ice to keep the focus on him in the music video.