Comparing Yankovic's White And Nerdy

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Alfred Yankovic, also known as ¨Weird Al¨ is a singer, song-writer, and parodist who makes entertaining pieces about stereotyping. In 2006, Yankovic was the lead in the video White & Nerdy which produces Weird Al as a white nerd who wants to be friends with African Americans. The African Americans are labeled as gangsters but nevertheless Weird Al tries to interact them. The African Americans are stereotypical towards Yankovic and refuse to be friends by driving way, being disrespectful, and not allowing Yankovic to bowl with them. Weird Al´s music video portrays how society is divided because people participate in stereotyping. The video White & Nerdy, is a remix of a popular song from 2009 called ¨Ridin¨ by Chamillionaire. Weird Al …show more content…

In Chamillionaire´s video African Americans are being stereotyped by police officers whereas in Yankovic's white nerds are being stereotyped by gangsters. The lyrics, “I want to roll with the gangsters” () is in the beginning of the song when Weird Al first approaches the gangsters however does not get the opportunity to greet them. The gangsters lock the door and speed away from Yankovic who is only slightly fazed. “They see me strollin they laughin” () are lyrics toward the end of the video when Yankovic is receiving a package from a African American. Inside the package is a Star Wars holiday special tape but before the package was opened one could infer that it contained illegal substances. Since African Americans are believed to be involved in crimes the scene looked as if Yankovic was buying something that costs a lot of money. Yankovic´s target is high school students and adults in their twenties or slightly older. The artists audience is the younger generation because rap is favored more by younger civilians. Students who are labeled as nerds or has traits of excelling in school and lack good looks would understand the video the best because majority of

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