Music Video Analysis: - Dr. Dre - I Need A Doctor (Ft. Eminem & Skyler Grey)

Media Representations And Conventions

This music video constructs an emotional montage of the relationship the rapper Eminem and Dr. Dre have. The story behind this video is about how Dr. Dre signed Eminem and believed in him in his early days and now Eminem is returning the favor. This music video starts with a montage of various footage of his music career. this includes when he was a member of the N.W.A and also the funk group World Class Wreckin' Cru. Also there is footage of  Dr. Dre and his family, such as him hugging his daughter and son and getting married. Futhermore there is footage from past music videos which he has done. Many rappers such as 2Pac, Eazy-E, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem are included in this. As all this is happening, he is driving down on a road in a Ferrari with flashbacks interluding. When he crashes the car the song starts to play. This is where they fast forward ten years later where he is on life support.


When this music video starts there is a sense of calmness about it; this is shown through shots of the water and the stern look on Dr. Dre's face. During this they use splitscreen shots to show his music career past while showing the 'present'. Also you can tell that there is something on his mind and the audience anticipates that something is about to happen. The edits begin to pick up speed when he is driving and you can tell that he is concerned and there is literally something 'running on his mind'. This is shown by the quick flashbacks of music videos, interview and magazine covers.

Dr. Dre looks very anxious.

Split screen effect of the flashback on the right and the present time on the left.

Car crash in the music video.

From when Dr. Dre is hospitalized, the music video uses a combination of special effects and features to enhance it when Eminem is rapping. This is first seen of the 'ghostly' holagram image of the actress Estella Warren. She mouths the words to Skylar Grey's chorus in the song.


As eminem is rapping, the video focuses on the emotional side; he paces up and down infront of the lifeless body of Dr. Dre and you can see the passion and expression on his face when he is rapping.

Eminem rapping to the lifeless body of Dr. Dre

Eminem's expression in his face

The video as a whole is a like one big metaphor. The underlying meaning behind it is that Eminem is trying to inspire Dr. Dre to believe in himself again and this is portrayed by him being hospitalized (giving up) to him finally waking up from the car crash and becoming stronger (eventually arising and believing in himself).

A variery of special effects continue as Dr. Dre is put in an 'isolation tank' while Eminem continues to rap to him. I quite like the location because the scenery isn't at all like a modern hospital. The location looks very old fashioned and this is reinforced by the old, dull colours in this. Also small things such as the lights on the ceiling, the lit candles in the background and many more. However this contrasts with the modern technology in this, for example the media tablets and up to date phones.

Eminem rapping to Dr.Dre in the 'isolation tank'

This video continues to use metophorical references in the form of Dr.Dre finally waking up. This represents him waking back up in the form coming back to the hip-hop industry. This is reinforced by him lifting weights, so in a sense he is becoming a lot stronger and has his confidence back. The old location continues with old fashioned weights but yet it still has a modern feel to it. He continues to exercise as the video uses a variety of close up shots to show the pain on his face as he is lifting weights.

Long shot of Dr. Dre lifting weights

Audience

Ive notices that in this video, they advertise a variety of brands including Dr.Dre's Beats technology, Gatorade, Ferrari, HP Laptops, and G-Shock.

 

 

 This follows the popular trend to advertise existing media products in a promotional video. Dr. Dre is in fact, promoting his own products which help them to get out there more.

Overall, this video is quite emotional and tries to make the audience feel how much of a connection Dr.Dre and Eminem have and how they inspire each other to keep on going. The video ends with a close up shot of the rapper Easy E's grave.

For any of the audience who knows Easy E, or N.W.A for that matter, this shot is a very emotional one as Dr.Dre stands over the grave of his felllow collegue and friend. This shot will touch many of the audience who has known and listened to hip-hop music of this era.