Eminem Just Lose It Postmodern Analysis

This song is a perfect example of a postmodern music video. The artist Eminem is known as a very controversial music artist, often offending and outraging audiences with his music videos and lyrics; however his I dont care attitude is exactly what postmodernists love. Intertextuality/pastiche: This music video is simply full of intertextual references. To begin with, the video begins with a high angle shot of Eminem dressed as Michael Jackson, stepping on floor paves that light up which is a direct reference to Michael Jacksons music video Billie Jean. There is also a reference to Michael Jacksons paedophilia sexual offence accusations that were often talked about in the press. This makes the video outrageous and offensive, which is shocking, alike to many other music videos that are considered as postmodern as they are made to engage the audience. The music video also later references MC Hammer, in the form of his outfit and the lyrics also say STOP. Pyjama time! This is a mock of the real lyrics to MC Hammers song STOP! Its hammer time! There is later a reference to Madonna, when Eminem is dressed in a light peach cone bra during her Blonde Ambition Tour. Eminem also uses references to films, as well as particular people, his lyrics Everything looks like its 8 Mile now which refers to his own film based on his life. As well as this, the shots of Eminem dressed as Santa, with the child on his lap are linked to the film Bad Santa, which was released not too long before his music video. Hypridity: This is when there is confusion or a mixture between old and new elements. This is present within this music video as all the intertextual references are from the past: Madonna, MC Hammer, 8 Mile, Michael Jackson etc... This is used to show the differences between current day and previous times. As then there are cuts to Eminem dressed in current modern trends (tracksuit bottoms and matching hoodie) dancing in a studio with lights flashing in the background. Jean Baudrillard: This music video also links to Jean Baudrillards theory on postmodernism, that there is no difference between reality and its simulacrum (representing image). This is because the audience are watching this music video and feeling amused/offended by the images Eminem creates, however does not separate the meaning and the story, but is more just interested in the visual entertainment. This also links to Baudrillards idea of Mediatisation, which essentially talks about how TV and the media causes a loss of history by making past events retro. In the case of this video, Eminem does this, by taking iconic moments from other music artists lives and making them retro. For example, Michael Jacksons nose is seen to be stood on in this music video, which makes the loss of his nose humorous for the audience, but takes away the historic event of when Michael Jackson got a nose job.

Incredulity towards metanarratives: Lyotards famous description of the postmodern condition applies to Just Lose It also. This is due to how the music video provides the audience with no set narrative or story, but rather a collection of witty, insulting, amusing sequences, involving intertextual references to pop culture, however there is no overall message.

The Active Audience: This is a postmodern element that states that the media rely heavily on their audience to deconstruct or decode the media products, in order to understand it. This is evident in this particular postmodern music video as it is clear that the intertextual references to pop culture and icons is what make up the content of the video. However, if the audience did not understand the pastiche, then they would not find the actual music video. For example, the finishing shot of the music video, it Eminem dressed as Michael Jackson, sitting on his bed, whilst young boys dressed in their pyjamas jump on the bed behind him. This would not entertain audiences if they were not aware of the sexual offence accusations towards Michael Jackson.