"Look at her butt!" - Ironi som motståndsstrategi

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to examine the ways in which signs in Nicki Minaj's video for Anaconda can connote gender, race and class. By employing semiotic methods as well as theories on respectability this study analyzes the visuals and the lyrics of the music video. Focus lies on how signs operates and interacts to create codes for jungle, working class and sexiness. With the butt as a central sign this study examines how Nicki Minaj is limited by the boundaries of respectability, which is set for her on the basis of being a black woman. Parallels are also drawn to the lyrics and Pictures of Mr Sir Mix-A-Lot's nineties hit Baby got back. The conclusion presented is that Nicki Minaj by the use of signs for primitive sexualy makes an ironic excessive play of the role of "the black woman". In this way she does resistance to White prejudiced stereotypes that these rolee is a portrait of.