Research into Genre and Image
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In Plan B’s first album “Who Needs Actions When you got words” he was focused on the rap and hip hop genre. However with the release of his second album “The Defamation of Strickland Banks” Ben Drew, broke his rap/hip hop constraints and entered into soul and contemporary R&B, but not forgetting some rap and hip hop woven in.
In this album Plan B has developed his own unique style and cross genre with combinations of music styles. This consequently led the way for other artists to take on similar style. For example Professor Green, Devlin and Example. |
MUSIC THEORY
Andy Bennett
Plan B emerged as an artist through his lyrical message and analysis of British society, however, he is a counter typical artist in the sense that he condemns violence and misogyny in our society, rather than promoting it.
A.B also discusses rap/hip-hop origin and association with “black culture”. He argues that through this music “black culture” has become a global culture, in which all people of different races and nationalities can identify with the image and message involved in rap/hip-hop.
A.B also discusses rap/hip-hop origin and association with “black culture”. He argues that through this music “black culture” has become a global culture, in which all people of different races and nationalities can identify with the image and message involved in rap/hip-hop.
Bennett argues that rap and hip-hop is the most rigorously censored music due to it’s presence and reputation in the media. The media often presents it as violent and misogynistic which has led to modern negative stereotypes. He also argues that its appeal lies with the music's “shock value”, especially to youth, who can identify with the way in which rap engages and expresses dissatisfaction towards social problems and restrictions.
Personal summary
Plan B emerged as an artist through his lyrical message and analysis of British society, however, he is a counter typical artist in the sense that he condemns violence and misogyny in our society, rather than promoting it. A.B also discusses rap/hip-hop origin and association with “black culture”. He argues that through this music “black culture” has become a global culture, in which all people of different races and nationalities can identify with the image and message involved in rap/hip-hop
Influences on Music & Image
Due to his upbringing Plan B’s first album “Who Needs Actions When You Got Words” was influenced a lot by his life and his experience growing up. Because he was brought up in a fairly unprivileged environment his album was far more gritty and unrefined. It was very personal to him and was about his family and personal incidences. This real life gritty personal expressions were further emphasised through the rap and hip hop style.
His image was also influenced by his style and music as in his first album he was more “street” and rough dressed connotating to gangs and disorder and youth.
His second album, however, is far more fictitious and story based. Ben had always wanted to make his second album as a concept album and he had previously abandoned an attempt to make a hip hop follow up to his debut Who Needs Actions When You Got Words. After learning more about the technical aspects of singing and having written some soul songs such as "Love Goes Down", which was written whilst supporting The Roots on tour in 2006, Plan B came up with the concept of a story about a soul singer who gets sent to prison.
His image dramatically changed in his second album and became far more clean cut and smart. This was influenced by his fictitious character of Strickland Banks.
His image was also influenced by his style and music as in his first album he was more “street” and rough dressed connotating to gangs and disorder and youth.
His second album, however, is far more fictitious and story based. Ben had always wanted to make his second album as a concept album and he had previously abandoned an attempt to make a hip hop follow up to his debut Who Needs Actions When You Got Words. After learning more about the technical aspects of singing and having written some soul songs such as "Love Goes Down", which was written whilst supporting The Roots on tour in 2006, Plan B came up with the concept of a story about a soul singer who gets sent to prison.
His image dramatically changed in his second album and became far more clean cut and smart. This was influenced by his fictitious character of Strickland Banks.
Music Theory
Andrew Goodwin
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Copyright Permissions Letter
Below is a letter which we wrote and sent to the record label who own the rights to Plan B's music. We decided to write this in an attempt to gain the rights for the song so that we can create the music video because it would be protected against Copyright law. We sent this via email to the record label:
679 Records: [email protected]
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am currently studying A Level Media Studies at The John Fisher School in Purley. Myself and three of my peers, who are in 6th Form, are planning on creating a music video as part of our A2 coursework. Therefore, I am writing to you to request permission to use a song by one of your artists: Plan B. The song which we would like to have the rights to use is 'Stay too Long' from his album 'The Defamation of Strickland Banks'. The music will only be part of our short music video and would not be used for commercial use or for monetary gains. Due to Copyright laws if you should decline then we will not be permitted to use this in our coursework. We are great fans of Plan B and would love to send you a copy of our finish product should you be interested.
We would really appreciate your reply,
Yours Sincerely,
Mark Rogers
679 Records: [email protected]
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am currently studying A Level Media Studies at The John Fisher School in Purley. Myself and three of my peers, who are in 6th Form, are planning on creating a music video as part of our A2 coursework. Therefore, I am writing to you to request permission to use a song by one of your artists: Plan B. The song which we would like to have the rights to use is 'Stay too Long' from his album 'The Defamation of Strickland Banks'. The music will only be part of our short music video and would not be used for commercial use or for monetary gains. Due to Copyright laws if you should decline then we will not be permitted to use this in our coursework. We are great fans of Plan B and would love to send you a copy of our finish product should you be interested.
We would really appreciate your reply,
Yours Sincerely,
Mark Rogers