Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights” is a music video that is laden with complex symbolism and imagery, making it a rich text for analysis. At its core, the video is a commentary on the pitfalls of fame, wealth, and the dehumanizing effects of the entertainment industry. Through the use of various visual elements, Kanye West critiques the commodification of women, the pursuit of materialistic success at all costs, and the illusion of control that comes with wealth and power.
One of the most striking features of the video is the use of lighting and color. The video is shot entirely in black and white, which creates a stark contrast between the subject and the background. The use of black and white in the video can be interpreted as a commentary on the dichotomy between good and evil, or light and dark. The flashing lights that permeate the video can be seen as a metaphor for the blinding glare of fame, and the allure of wealth that comes with it.
The opening shot of the video shows a woman lying on the ground, her body contorted in a seemingly painful position. This image can be interpreted as a metaphor for the ways in which women are objectified and commodified in the entertainment industry. The woman is dressed in lingerie, and her body is positioned to emphasize her curves and sexual appeal. This is further reinforced by the way the camera lingers on her body, objectifying her and reducing her to a mere sexual object for the male gaze. This scene sets the tone for the rest of the video and establishes a critique of the music industry's treatment of women.
Throughout the video, there are several shots of women in various stages of undress, often portrayed in submissive or vulnerable positions. These images can be seen as a commentary on the ways in which women are exploited for their bodies and sexual appeal in the music industry. The video highlights the inherent power imbalance between men and women in the entertainment industry, where men are often in positions of power and control, while women are reduced to mere objects to be exploited for their physical attributes.
The use of car imagery in the video is also significant. Cars are a symbol of wealth and status, and in the video, they are used to represent the pursuit of materialistic success. In one scene, Kanye West is shown standing in front of a sports car with the license plate "VLVT," which can be interpreted as a reference to the pursuit of luxury and comfort. However, the video also shows the dark side of the pursuit of wealth, as the car is shown crashing and burning, symbolizing the dangers of excess and the risks that come with the pursuit of materialistic success.
The use of violence and aggression in the video is also notable. The video shows several scenes of physical violence, including Kanye West hitting a woman and a man being beaten and dragged away by security guards. These images can be seen as a commentary on the toxic masculinity that is often celebrated in the music industry, where aggression and violence are viewed as signs of strength and power. The video critiques this ideology by showing the destructive and harmful effects of such behavior, and how it ultimately leads to the degradation of both individuals and society as a whole.
Towards the end of the video, Kanye West is shown burying a woman in the desert. This scene can be interpreted as a metaphor for the ways in which the entertainment industry chews up and spits out women, using them for their physical attributes and discarding them once they are no longer deemed desirable. The act of burying the woman can also be seen as a commentary on the ways in which the entertainment industry erases the humanity of women, reducing them to mere objects to be consumed and discarded.
In conclusion, Kanye West's "Flashing Lights" is a complex and multi-layered commentary on the pitfalls of fame, wealth, and the entertainment industry. Through the use of various visual elements, Kanye West critiques the commodification of women, the pursuit of materialistic success at all costs, and the illusion of control that comes with wealth and power. The video highlights the inherent power imbalance between men and women in the entertainment industry, and critiques the toxic masculinity that is often celebrated in the music industry. Ultimately, "Flashing Lights" is a powerful and thought-provoking critique of the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry, and a call to action to resist the dehumanizing effects of fame and wealth.