ILL MANORS (SONG) ANALYSIS

The music video to Plan B's iconic song, 'Ill Manors', may be seen as controversial as it supports the stereotype given by the Media and the Government to the youth of today. These images, shown on the left, are screen-grabs taken from the music video, these images fuel the negative representations of youth and their collective identity youths find in gang culture. These images also support Dick Hebdige's theory because it is clear that the youths shown in the pictures are all associated through their clothing; track suits and hoodies, this again fuels the negative representation that the media 'give' to youths. The media create deviance amplification around the negative stereotypes of youths, supporting the theory of Stan Cohen. With creating a deviance amplification, the media are
unknowingly creating a moral panic, again supporting Cohen's theory, which is reflected throughout print and broadcast news, striking fear into the public against modern day youths.

The lyrics do not challenge the negative stereotypes 'given' by the media, if anything the lyrics support their stereotype, for example, "He's got a hoodie on give him a hug, on second thoughts dont you dont wanna get mugged". I believe that Plan B's intentions of this song are to be sarcastic and have a dig at the government, in particular David Cameron. The message behind this song is meant for the government, by saying that if they keep getting stereotyped in such negative ways then they will act like there 'given' stereotype, rather than negotiate it, showing the government that it is in fact their fault that youths act this way, supported through the lyrics "Fuel the fire, let it burn". Plan B's other intention through this song is to, in the long run, make the government see what they are doing, to make them stop demoralising youths and create equality in the hegemonic control ladder.

This music video was created to challenge authority and hegemonic control. This is shown in the music video through the footage of the London riots used, this tells authoritative figures that if youths have overtaken their power once, they can do it again. This shows a possible future representation of youths in society if the government dont lay of the stereotypes. This song may be classed as a warning.