Comparing Music Video Genres

I am going to compare two music video's in order to see the different elements that make the video fit a specific genre. I have chosen to compare Britney Spears - 'Till The World Ends' which comes under the dance-pop/electro-pop genre and Chris Brown ft. Justin Bieber - 'Next 2 You' which comes under the genre of R&B.





Both videos have links between the lyrics and the music even though they are different genres and both videos also have links between the lyrics and visuals. Below are some image stills from both music videos, that show the links between lyrics and visuals.

"See the sunlight..."

"Keep on dancing..."

"Till the world ends..."

"We aint stopping..."

"You got that smile, that only heaven can make..."

"I pray to God everyday..."

"One day when the sky is falling..."

"I'll be standing..."

When it comes to genre characteristics the certain traits within the music videos are immediately obvious. From Britney Spears' pop video, there are bright colours, background dancers and a club vibe in an underground location. The popular traits that I noticed were in Chris Brown and Justin Bieber's R&B music video were dark colours, street dancing and cars.
The notions of looking within 'Till The World Ends' portrays Britney Spears as a sexy pop artist, and this is achieved by the hair, make-up, styling, dance routines and the track itself. However, Chris Brown is portrayed as a romantic and a hero in 'Next 2 You' and Justin Bieber is also portrayed as a romantic young hearthrob.
From watching both videos, I couldnt see any intertextual reference. It has been included in a variety of music videos including Pop and R&B video's, however there wasnt any within the two video's I am comparing.
The majority of Britney Spears' music video's consist of very similar traits as she mainly produces Pop music. Just like in several of her other video's, Britney Spears does a dance routine, wears various different outfits and is surrounded by flashing lights and dancers. This is something that the record labels do to their signed artists to give them a certain image and style.
Whilst watching Chris Brown and Justin Bieber perform their song in the music video, the audience can see that they are both talented dancers as well as singers. By showcasing several of the artists many talents in a music video, the producers of the record label can help to enhance an artists career further.
The music video for 'Next 2 You' has a linear narrative although the ending isnt 100% clear. Its obvious a story is being told, and the audience can see that the world is falling apart (quite literally!) and that Chris Brown and Justin Bieber are heroes within the video. 'Till The World Ends' is more or less performance based as it doesnt have a particular story, Britney Spears is just performing the song.

Overall, although the two music videos come under different genres, they both have a handful of similar traits and elements that help to define a specific genre within music.