Surena Urban
Drake—God’s Plan—Music Video
Double
Entry Log
Writer and/or director
Aubrey Drake Graham, known as
Drake, wrote the lyrics.
The director of God’s Plan is
Karena Evans.
Executive Producer is
Director X.
Rhetorical Information
Describe background
information about the writer/director.
Drake
originally is from Canada. He was recognized first on a teen drama television
series Degrassi: The Next Generation until he went on to pursue a career as a
rapper with the release of his debut mixtape, Room for Improvement, in 2007.
Drake has won three Grammy’s to date; his first was for Take Care and the other
two were for Hotline Bling. Drake has been very generous in donating to
portions of his earnings to meaningful causes.
Describe background
information about the story or film.
Drake, the director, and those involved in the production
of God’s Plan, truly executed a beautiful idea when they gave the money that
would have otherwise been used on a very expensive video to those in need. The
moral of the story is to spread positivity and allow others to rejoice in your
success as well. Drake described God’s Plan as “The most important thing I have
ever done in my career.”
Describe the story or film’s genre.
The genre of God’s Plan is Hip Hop/Rap. Although a
negative connotation typically comes along with rap, this video tears down
those inaccurate stigmas and shines a whole new light on a genre some people
are typically leery of.
Describe the audience. Who is
the audience for this story or film? What expectations do they have about the
story/film? How do you know this?
The audience of this video could really be anybody; it
could range from Drake’s fans all the way to those who want to share a positive
idea with others. Typically, from a rapper’s video people might expect more
demonstrations of violence, heartache and profanity (which they might have
guessed from watching other rap videos), however this video is truly
eye-opening because of the kindness and happiness demonstrated/represented in
it.
Describe the social context
of the story/film. When and where was it published/released? Describe any
significant social events during the time.
Drake’s God’s Plan music video was released in late
January of 2018 as a sneak peek/single of his Scary Hours album. Recently we
have been surrounded by such negativity: racially charged issues, school
shootings, just violence in general. God’s Plan is (to me) a light amidst all
this darkness. It demonstrates how generosity and love still exist in our
society.
Log your close reading of the
text
What do I see?
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What does it mean?
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Describe
an interesting or thought-provoking scene. Describe exactly what’s on the
page or in action in the scene. Make sure you include page numbers and/or
time markers.
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Discuss
how this scene is connected to literary devices such as plot, setting, character, theme, and/or narrative
point of view.
Discuss
how this scene is connected to society and culture such as race, class,
gender, environment, and/or history
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At the
beginning, 0:02-0:05 they state the budget for the video at nearly 1 million
dollars. They then state how they gave it all away and not to tell the label.
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My
first thought was how much money that really was and how many different ways
it could be used. It connects to the theme that giving the money for the
video to people in need was far more important than making yet another main
stream music video. I am not sure whether the part about not telling the
label was a joke, but either way it kind of connects with how big
corporations/production companies are greedy in today’s society and have been
throughout history.
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At 0:58
Drake tells everyone in a grocery store that whatever they load their carts
up with is on him and the people making the video.
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The
music video is set in Miami and this takes place in a local Miami grocery
store.
It
relates to the theme of doing good deeds and paying it forward.
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At
1:17 Drake gives a $50,000 scholarship to an incredibly hardworking and
determined young woman.
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This
shows how Destiny James, scholarship recipient to University of Miami, had a
similar character to Drake. They are both extraordinary individuals and her
hard work was recognized by Drake (he could relate because they shared
similar character traits).
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At
2:37 Drake donates money to a disabled girl and her mother.
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It is
beautiful that Drake takes the time to treat the girl as if she is simply a
girl; he does not act as if her disability defines her. It relates to the
theme of how kindness is everything; more people need to understand that
being different is not always a bad thing—just because someone looks
different than you doesn’t mean they aren’t normal.
|
At
4:15 he gives $50,000 to the Lotus House of Miami—a homeless shelter for
women and children of the area.
|
To me,
this teaches the children of the shelter that there are kind men out there
and that they deserve toys just as much as other kids do, if not more. The
mothers who were given shopping sprees were given some faith that their lives
were going to be ok and things would get better.
|
At
5:28 he donates $25,000 to Miami Senior High School.
|
This
shows how important education is despite race, class, gender, etc.
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At 3:38
The lyrics go:
God's plan, God's plan
I can't do this on my own, ay, no, ay Someone watchin' this sh*t close, yep, close |
I
interpreted this lyric to be the entire theme of the video; Follow God’s
plan—it is great. We are successful with the help of our Lord and savior. God
is love, God is good.
|
Other
vital lyrics:
I been movin' calm, don't start no trouble with me
Tryna keep it peaceful is a struggle for me
It's a lot of bad things
That they wishin' and wishin' and wishin' and wishin' They wishin' on me |
These
lyrics relate to how Drake has found peace through God, and following his
plan. It is a struggle for him to remain peaceful due to all the hate people
throw at him.
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Summarize your findings
What is the central theme of the story/film? Describe how
the writer/author uses creativity to communicate this theme.
The
central theme of Drake’s God’s Plan music video is how love is everything and
we should love the life we were given and rejoice in it by giving and being
kind to others. I absolutely adore how Drake has chosen to fight negativity
with what he has found to be his truth—God, love, and generosity. By donating
large sums of money and tearing down stigmas of rappers/labels Drake creatively
communicates this theme. Love is everything, stop hating and find happiness in
God’s Plan.
Describe at least two
creative ways you could communicate this theme
to your audience.
One creative way I could communicate this theme to my
audience is by writing about it—describing how God’s Plan reinstated my value
that love and everything that it entails is what life is all about—and
inspiring others to follow in Drake’s generous footsteps.
Another creative way I could communicate this theme to my
audience is through a remake of Drake’s video in my own style. I would compile
reasons why life is great and why we should love the life we were given. This
compilation would include videos of myself, things that make me love life, my
family, friends, and anyone else I could get to volunteer in it. I think it
would be a great way to show people the positivity and love that exists around.
My intention would be to spread joy through love, considering I do not have the
money to do it the way Drake did.
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