goosebumps - travis scott x kendrick x prod. cardo x dir. brthr

Here is part 2 of the 4-part series where I analyse four different music videos for an A2 Media Studies research task. Number 2: goosebumps - travis scott ft. kendrick x prod. cardo x dir. brthr

[goosebumpstravisscott]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dst9gZkq1a8

Click the link to watch the video!

[goosebumpstravisscott]

Oh and did I mention the obvious reference to the infamous child horror series?

[goosebumpstravisscott]

Personally, this video was effective because of its successful psychedelic aesthetic, as well as the multitude of symbolism and references, in the imagery, to Travis’ unholy trinity, as well the ‘Carpe Diem’ message.

[goosebumpstravisscott]

BRTHR consistently use thought beats throughout the video, as well as a hydraulic low-rider bouncing to the beat. As per the typical rap video, we have depictions of wealth, women and w---drugs. There is a small narrative here where human Travis dies and falls to hell where he becomes a fallen angel appearing on a throne. The imagery is comparable to to the prophesy depicted in the Book of Revelation in the Bible.

[goosebumpstravisscott]

Travis Scott and Kendrick Lamar, both leading artists in the hip/hop and rap game, further cement their legacies as experimental, trend-setting innovators who exemplify their stylistic range in this euphoric track and video. From their involvement on pop tracks to trap features, their appearances in the industry attract the eyes of any music fan; and on this alternative track they solidify their stardom as artists who, through colourful visuals, are able to express their experiences and views on the unholy trinity of rap: sex, money and drugs.

[goosebumpstravisscott]

The song has been inaugurated as one of the greatest bangers of 2016 as on “May 15, Travis Scott burst into the Guinness Book of Records after performing his song "Goosebumps" 14 times in a row. At the time this was the most consecutive plays of a song at a show ever.” Thus, together with the song’s hedonistic lyrics, we see this ‘Carpe Diem’ tone of the song. With the hard hitting beat, and the duo’s expressions of pleasure and wealth, we definitely see  Travis’ message to get amongst life and to jump at new experiences as they come.

[goosebumpstravisscott]

As per the conventions of any BRTHR x Hip hop/R&B artist collaboration, we are presented with psychedelic, epileptic, surreal and colourful imagery. The effect of this is the amplification of the song’s themes, especially love and drug-use. Travis’ infatuation with his lover is compared to a psychedelic experience and the flashy effects reinforce those themes. 

As aforementioned, there is also a sense of aggression and evil with the self-realised and intentional implementation of symbols like dogs, snakes, blood and fire.

[goosebumpstravisscott]

This BRTHR directed ‘trip’, takes us into the depths of drug-use, sex and money. The typical hip-hop condemning cynicist would argue that ‘Goosebumps’, as a song and video, would again conform to the misogynistic, drug-cultured, ‘bad influence’ stereotype. However, the track creatively morphs the ‘unholy’ trinity into a single entity, as the duo raps about how they get ‘goosebumps everytime, when you come around...”, as well as the fact that goosebumps is also a side effect of LSD and great excitement. 

We also get a sense of evil, as Travis is depicted as a fallen angel, as well as the video containing imagery of vampires/cannibals, snakes, fire and other demonic images.