Research on Artist - Myxx

I've finally chosen my artists! They go by the name of Myxx and consist of 2 sisters, where one is the rapper and one is the singer. I like their style, it incorporates pop and rnb and you could say rap as well.

Well here is some basic information on them.

MYXX

• These sisters are originally from Bridgeport, Connecticut.
  
• They go by the names of Elizabeth and Evonne Hunnicutt.


• Both were born into a musical family and are cousins of the successful band members B5 (now known as 'Audio') who are a boy band from Atlanta ,GA.


• Once reunited with their cousins in Myxx decided to pursue a singing career of their own.


• 22 year-old Evonne is known as the rapper of the group who accompanies 21 year old Elizabeth who poses as the main singer for the group.


• Elizabeth has a "unique silky voice tone which straddles the fence of the R & B and Pop vocal styles with both power and passion, she continues to hone both her singing and writing skills, and strive to write songs for other artists in the industry"
• "Evonne is an outgoing person she is also a clothes designer; she is also an artist that is good with pencil, ink, and pastel drawings. She has a flair for spontaneity in her creative works and her personality exudes that potential in almost everything that she does, she can sew and cook."
• Their favorite artists, and probably biggest influences are : B5, Destiny’s Child, Aaliyah, Rhianna, Ludacris, Linkin Park, etc. Some Old School like Patrice Rushen, Loose Ends, Chic, Gap Band, etc
  
• In November 2002 Evonne and Elizabeth came to visit family when a Producer (Andrew Lane) noticed how beautiful they were and said, "if they could sing or dance, man they would be an ideal group, so when their mother (Deborah Hunnicutt) and father (Troy Hunnicutt) replied with “they sing and dance”, a group was born.

Their Accomplishments:

• In 2005 Myxx appeared on ABC’s State Lake Building stage to perform their version of Jingle Bells, theirs is called “Jingle Jam”. They also performed at Casual Cal’s “Universoul Circus” Myxx performed over 20 engagements with the circus, they were well received.

• In 2003 Myxx performed to various High Schools throughout the “Dirty South” with B5 to perfect their stage performance; The reception Myxx had got from the performances was very optimistic because they were very friendly and seemed down to earth.
• Their name 'Myxx' is based on the fact that they are born from a black and white family.

Links:
[Info] Jamm Entertainment Group
[Info] Myxx Fansite
[Info] Myxx Official Myspace Page
[Info] Myxx Official Website
[Website] www.jammentertainmentgroup.com
[Official Site] www.myxxonline.com

Codes & Conventions of POP/RNB

POP

* Men and women usually potrayed in a modern way, eg. glamorous & good-looking.
*Women often made to look powerful/dominant, e.g. Alexandra Burke video where Alexandra was very dominant over the men.
* Shots -> usually long shots, with very common use of close-ups to show emotion and facial expression.
Continuous shots, e.g. in Justin Timberlakes 'Rock Your Body', where the audience were made to feel that they were moving with Justin each time he turns and 'sails to the right'
*Common theme of using very bright colors or alternatively Black and White backgrounds, e.g. In Lady Gaga's 'Alejandro', this creates better lighting and thus helps to make the audience feel more connected to the artist/band.
*Locations include desolated areas, particularly car parks at night (e.g. in Alexandra Burke's 'Bad Boys'.
* Props -> often glamorous connoting a strong sense of style, classic example is Lady Gaga's glittery glasses.
*Most shots are performance based, highlighting dance moves.
*Flashing lights, bright lights to create excitement.
*Creative settings and backdrops.
*Costumes -> designed to make the musician look innocent and relatable for younger audiences.
*Constant scene changes to hold the audience's attention.
*Fun and lighthearted.
*Teenage scenario, e.g. having a crush.
*Usually the video has a narrative where the lyrics link directly to what is happening in the song.
* Huge POP examples include: Lady Gaga, Britney, Christina Aguilera.
*Modern attire, broader range of colors.

RNB

* Costume -> revealing clothes, urbanized street wear, e.g. in Justin Timberlakes 'Like I Love You', he wear his signature hat and leather jacket and also the main female in the video is wearing a belly top and jeans with hoop earrings associated with urban,city culture.
* Props -> fast cars, money, jewellery and stylish clothes that denote wealth
*Relationships-> love, fights and break-ups e.g. Usher's 'Confessions' video.
* Women's dance routines are usually sexually provoking.
*Usually have a narrative, with a strong emphasis on females and the emotions they are experiencing.
* often focused on the physical appearance of the artist/singer
*Locations usually include a nightclub, party or city environment
* Editing includes fades & quick cuts between scenes

Examples of POP/RNB Artists
- Janet Jackson
- Jennifer Lopez
- Amerie
- Keri Hilson
- Beyonce
- JoJo
- Fergie
- Ciara
- Rihanna
- Gwen Stefani
- Nelly Furtado

These codes and conventions are going to be so important in the shaping of my music video.

Most of them are what I would have expected, for example: aspects of modernity in videos, glamorous props, sexually provoking dance routines... but it all depends on what symbolic and technical codes I may actually want to use because some of them are more possible than others, like I probably wont be able to get flashing lights or creative backdrops being on such a tight student budget!

But I definitely want to incorporate aspects of the costume, the camera shots and the settings , for example, the desolated areas.

Pop & R'N'B Music - General Research

I've finally chosen my genre of music that I want to do: POP/RNB music.

My general reason being because I have more familiarity with these music genres than any other genres, although I also like to listen to Classical, Emo/Screamo,Hip Hop, Rap, Rock or Alternative music I think the lyrics in POP/RNB videos are a bit more simple and less abstract, so this will help me to visually portray the words in the music video better. The research has identified both genres to be highly westernized in their origins and because I live in a western society, I think it would make sense for me to do a music video on these genres as I have experience of what it is like living in a western, contemporary society. I can therefore apply my own knowledge which will further aid me in the whole process of this coursework.